…Lilybaeum. Carthage at this time is …
Years: 247BCE - 247BCE
…Lilybaeum.
Carthage at this time is feeling the strain of the prolonged conflict (in addition to maintaining a fleet and soldiers in Sicily they are also fighting the Libyans and Numidians in North Africa), and as a result, Hamilcar is given a fairly small army and the Carthaginian fleet begin gradually to be withdrawn.
Little is known about the Barcid family prior to Hamilcar Barca.
The names of his parents are unknown, and it is hypothesized that the family may have come from Cyrene and was part of the landed aristocracy of Carthage.
He is relatively young (thirty-three years old) when he receives the Sicilian command.
By this time he has sired three daughters, and his son Hannibal is born in the year that Hamilcar invades Sicily in 247.
Hamilcar is in command of a mercenary army composed of multiple nationalities and his ability to successfully lead this force demonstrates his talent as field commander.
He employs combined arms tactics, like Alexander or Pyhrrus, and his strategy is similar to the ones that will be employed by Quintus Fabius Maximus in the Second Punic War, ironically against Hamilcar’s eldest son.
The difference is that Fabius is to command a numerically superior army than his opponent and will have no supply problems, and have room to maneuver, while Hamilcar is static and has a far smaller army than his opponent.
Upon taking command, Hamilcar punishes the rebellious mercenaries (unruly because of overdue payment) by murdering some of them at night and drowning the rest at sea, and dismissing many to Africa.
With a reduced army and fleet, Hamilcar commences his operations.
Locations
People
Groups
Topics
Commodoties
Subjects
Regions
Subregions
Related Events
Showing 2 events out of 2 total
Years: 247BCE - 247BCE
Locations
People
Groups
Topics
Commodoties
Subjects
Regions
Subregions