BOCCHUS (c. IIO B.c.), king of Mauretania, and father in-law of Jugurtha. In 108 he joined Jugurtha on condition of re ceiving a third of Numidia. But when the kings had been twice defeated, Bocchus again sought Roman alliance. He was persuaded by Sulla (q.v.) to seek favour by entrapping Jugurtha and handing him over to Rome (Io5 B.c.). As a result, the Romans made a treaty with Bocchus, and added part of Numidia to his kingdom. He sent to the capitol a group of Victories guarding a device in gold showing Bocchus handing over Jugurtha to Sulla.
His son, Boccllus, was king of Mauretania, jointly with a younger brother Bogud. As enemies of the senatorial party, their title was recognized by Caesar (4g B.c.). During the African War they invaded Numidia and thus prevented King Juba from joining Metellus Scipio against Caesar. At the end of the war, Caesar gave Bocchus part of the territory of Massinissa, Juba's ally, which was recovered after Caesar's murder by Massinissa's son. Af ter Caesar's death Bocchus actively supported Octavian, while on the other hand Bogud supported Antony. During Bogud's absence in Spain, his brother took the occasion to seize the whole of Numidia, and was confirmed sole ruler by Octavian. After the death of Bocchus in the year 33 B.C., Numidia was made a Roman province.