Hamilcar
(Hamilcar Barca)
d. 229 BC
 |
| "TO BE ABLE TO BOARD AND ENEMY'S SHIP WAS WHAT THEY AIMED AT." |
Hamilcar Barca was the father of Hannibal, the most notorious of Rome's enemies. Although it
was Hannibal that actually crossed the Alps and attacked Rome, it was Hamilcar, who laid the
foundation, by building a Carthaginian empire in Spain, and who instilled in his son an abiding
hatred of Rome. Hannibal was just carrying out a plan that had been long laid by his father
Hamilcar.
Hamilcar first appeared near the end of the first Punic War, where he was given the command of
Sicily. Although Carthage lost that encounter and soon sued for peace with Rome, Hamilcar never
accepted the defeat. He spent the period between the First and Second Punic Wars building up
an empire in Spain, and preparing for the inevitable renewal of hostilities. His three sons,
Hannibal, Hasdrubal, and Mago, were Carthaginian generals in the Second Punic War.
Key events during the life of Hamilcar Barca:
| Year |
Event |
| 250 BC |
Defended Lilybaeum during the siege. |
| 247 BC |
Assigned command of Sicily during First Punic War. |
| 241 BC |
Negotiated terms of peace that led to Carthage's withdrawal from Sicily. |
| 238 BC |
Put down revolt of Carthage mercenaries; became virtual dictator of Carthage. |
| 237 BC |
Began campaign of conquest in Spain. |
| 228 BC |
Died at sea. |
Other Resources
| Contemporary |
Short Biography |
| Hannibal |
Carthaginian general, invaded and laid waste to Italy for sixteen years. |
| Hasdrubal |
Son-in-Law of Hamilcar, headed Carhaginian empire in Spain until Hannibal came of age. |
| Regulus |
Captured by Carthage in first Punic war; urged Rome keep fighting at cost of his own life. |
