The massyles were a north African tribe of western Numidia and the main antagonists of the masaesyles in eastern Numidia. During the Second Punic War they initially supported Carthage, led by Massinissa against Syphax and the masaesyles. After Massinissa threatened to unite all Numidians in a confederacy against Rome, the masaesyles turned against Rome and undertook the cause of Carthage. Masinissa then took arms against his former ally, united with the forces of Scipio Africanus and defeated Syphax, assimilating into one kingdom under his own rule as king of Numidia.