2;
vigilance
of Scipio anticipated his design, and after
Zonar.
Zonar.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
i.
24.
) After this he ap Lect.
on Rom.
Hist.
vol.
i.
p.
134, not.
) We know
pears to have traversed the island with his vic- nothing of him previous to his appointment to the
torious army, as we find him making himself command of the Carthaginian forces in Sicily, in
master of Enna and Camarina, both of which were the eighteenth year of the first Punic War, B. C.
betrayed to him by the inhabitants. He at the 247. He was at this time quite a young man
same time fortified the stronghold of Drepanum, (adınodum adolescentulus, Corn. Nep. Hamilc. 1),
which became in the latter part of the war one of but had already given proofs of his abilities in war,
the most important fortresses of the Carthaginians. which led to his being named as the successor
(Diod. xxiii. p. 503 ; Zonar, viii. 11. ) In the of Carthalo. His first operations fully justified
year 257 he commanded the Punic fleet on the the choice, and were characterised by the same
north coast of Sicily, and fought a naval action energy and daring as distinguished the whole of
with the Roman consul C. Atilius, in which, ac- his subsequent career. At the time that he
cording to Polybius, the victory was undecided, arrived in Sicily the Romans were masters of the
though the Roman commander was honoured with whole island, with the exception of the two for-
a triumph. (Polyb. i. 25, 27 ; Zonar. viii. 12; tresses of Drepanum and Lily baeum, both of which
Fast. Capitol. ) In the following year (256), we were blockaded by them on the land side, and the
find him associated with Hanno in the command Carthaginians had for some time past contented
of the great Carthaginian fleet, which was de-themselves with defending these two strongholds,
signed to prevent the passage of the Roman expe- and keeping open their communication with them
dition to Africa under the consuls M. Atilius Roby sea. But Hamilcar, after ravaging with liis
## p. 328 (#344) ############################################
328
HAMILCAR.
HAMILCAR
:
1
fleet the shores of Bruttium, suddenly landed on the 56--62, 66; Diod. Ext. xxiv. ; Zonar. viii. 16,
north coast of Sicily, and established himself with 17; Corn. Nep. Hamilc. l. )
his whole army on a mountain named Hercte (now He himself returned to Carthage, filled with im-
called Monte Pellegrino), in the midst of the placable animosity against Rome, and brooding over
enemy's country, and in the immediate neighbour- plans for future vengeance under more favourable
hood of Panormus, one of their most important circumstances. (Polyb. iii. 9 ) But all such pro-
cities. Here he succeeded in maintaining his jects were for a time suspended by a danger nearer
ground, to the astonishment alike of friends and home. The great revolt of the mercenary troops,
foes, for nearly three years. The natural strength headed by Spendius and Matho, which broke out
of the position defied all the efforts of the enemy, immediately after their return from Sicily, and in
and a small, but safe and convenient, harbour at which they were quickly joined by almost all the
the foot of the mountain enabled him not only to native Africans, broughe Carthage in a moment to
secure his own communications by sea, but to send the brink of ruin. Hamilcar was not at first em-
out squadrons which plundered the coasts of Sicily ployed against the insurgents ; whether this arose
and Italy even as far north as Cumae. By land, from the predominance of the adverse party, or that
meanwhile, he was engaged in a succession of he was looked upon as in some measure the author
almost continual combats with the Romans, which of the evils that had given rise to the insurrection,
did not, indeed, lead to any decisive result, but from the promises he had been compelled to make
served him as the means of trining up a body of to the mercenaries under his command, and which
infantry which should be a match for that of there were now no means of fulfilling, we know
Rome, while he so completely paralysed the whole not; but the incapacity of Hanno, who first took
power of the enemy as to prevent their making the field against the rebels, soon became so appa-
any vigorous attempts against either Drepanum or rent, that all parties concurred in the appointment
Lilybaeum. So important did it appear to the of Hamilcar to succeed him. He found affairs in a
Komans to expel him from his mountain fastness, state apparently almost hopeless : Carthage itself
that they are said to have at one time assembled a was not actually besieged, but all the passes which
force of 40,000 men at the foot of the rock of secured its communication with the interior were
Herctè. (Diod. Exc. Hoesch. xxiii. p. 506. ) Yet in the hands of the insurgents, who were also
Hamilcar still held out; and when, at length, he masters of all the open country, and were actively
relinquished his position, it was only to occupy engaged in besieging Urica and Hippo, the only
one still more extraordinary and still more galling towns that still remained faithful to the Carthagi-
to the enemy. In 244 he abruptly quitted Herctè, nians. The forces placed at the disposal of Ha-
and, landing suddenly at the foot of Mount Eryx, milcar amounted to only 10,000 men and 70
seized on the town of that name, the inhabitants elephants ; but with these he quickly changed the
of which he removed to Drepanum, and converted face of affairs, forced the passage of the river Ba.
it into a fortified camp for his army. The Romans gradas, defeated the enemy with great slaughter,
still held the fort on the summit of the mountain, and re-opened the communications with the interior.
while one of their armies lay in a strongly in- He now traversed the open country unopposed, and
trenched camp at the foot of it. Yet in this still reduced many towns again to the suhjection of
more confined arena did Hamilcar again defy all Carthage. On one occasion, indeed, he seems to
their exertions for two years more ; during which have been surprised and involved in a situation of
period he had not only to contend against the much difficulty, but was saved by the opportune
efforts of his enemies, but the disaffection and accession of Naravas, a Numidian chief, with whose
fickleness of the mercenary troops under his com- assistance he totally defeated the rebels under
mand, especially the Gauls. In order to retain Spendius and Autaritns. Many captives having
them in obedience, he was obliged to make them fallen into his hands on this occasion, Hanilcar
large promises, the difficulty of fulfilling which treated them with the utmost lenity, receiving into
was said to have been afterwards one of the main his army all that were willing to enlist, and dis-
causes of the dreadful war in Africa. (Polyb. i. 66, missing the rest in safety to their homes, on con-
ii. 7 ; Appian, Hisp. 4. ) But while he thus con- dition of their not bearing arms against him again.
tinued to maintain his ground in spite of all ob- But this clemency was so far from producing the
stacles, the Romans, despairing of effecting any desired effect, that it led Spendius and Matho, the
thing against him by land, determined to make leaders of the insurgents, from apprehension of the
one great effort to recover the supremacy by sea. | influence it might exercise upon their followers, to
A powerful fleet was sent out under Lutatius the most barbarous measures, and they put to death
Catulus, and the total defeat of the Carthaginian Gisco and all their other prisoners, in order, by
admiral Hanno off the Aegates, in B, C. 241, de this means, to put an end to all hopes of reconcili-
'cided the fate of the war. (HANNO, No. 11; CA- ation or pardon. This atrocity drove Hamilcar to
TULUS. ) The Carthaginian government now re- measures of retaliation, and he henceforib put to
ferred it to Hamilcar to determine the question of death, without mercy, all the prisoners that fell
war or peace; and seeing no longer any hopes of into his hands. (Polyb. i. 75–81; Diod. Exc.
ultimate success, he reluctantly consented to the Vales. xxv. 2. ) The advantages hitherto gained by
treaty, by which it was agreed that the Cartha- Barca were now almost counterbalanced by the
ginians should evacuate Sicily. Lutatius had at defection of Utica and Hippo ; and Hanno baring
first insisted that the troops on Mount Eryx been (for what reason we know not) associated
should lay down their arms; but this was peremp with him in the command, the dissensions which
torily refused by Hamilcar, and the Roman con- broke out between the two generals effectually pre-
sul was forced to, abandon the demand. Hamilcar vented their co-operating to any successful result.
descended with his army to Lily baeum, where he These disputes were at length terminated by the
immediately resigned the command, leaving it to Carthaginian government leaving it to the amy
Gisco to conduct the troops to Africa. (Polyb. i. I to decide which of the two generals should resign,
а
## p. 329 (#345) ############################################
HAMILCAR.
329
HAMILCAR.
and which should retain his command. The soldiers | Hamilcar crossed over into Spain. Both Appian
chose Hamilcar, who accordingly remained at his and Zonaras expressly assert that he took this im-
post, and Hannibal succeeded Hanno as his col- portant step without any authority from the govem-
Icague. Matho and Spendius, the leaders of the ment at home, trusting to the popular influence at
insurgents, had taken advantage of the dissensions Carthage to ratify his measures subsequently; and
among their adversaries, and after many successes it is said that he secured this confirmation not only
had even ventured to lay siege to Carthage itself; by his brilliant successes, and by the influence of
but Hamilcar, by laying waste the country behind his son-in-law Hasdrubal, one of the chief leaders
them, and intercepting their supplies, reduced them of the democratic party at Carthage, but by em-
to such distress, that they were compelled to raise ploying the treasures which he obtained in Spain
the siege. Spendius now took the field against in purchasing adherents at home. (Appian, Hisp.
Hamilcar; but though his forces were greatly 4, 5, Annib. 2; Zonar. viii. 17; Diod. Exc. Vales.
superior, he was no match for his adversary in xxv. ) Whatever weight we may attach to these
generalship; and the latter succeeded in shutting statements (which are probably derived from Fa-
him up, with his whole army, in a position from bius), it is certain that Hamilcar was supported by
which there was no escape. Hence, after suffering the popular or democratic party at Carthage, in
the utmost extremities of hunger, Spendius him- opposition to the old aristocracy, of whom Hanno
self, together with nine others of the leaders of the was the chief leader : and it was in order to
rebels, repaired to the camp of Hamilcar to sue for strengthen this interest that he allied himself with
mercy. That general agreed to allow the army to Hasdrubal, who, both by his wealth and popular
depart in safety, but without arms or baggage, and manners, had acquired a powerful body of adherents
retaining to himself the power of selecting for in the state. It seems probable also that we are to
punishment ten of the ringleaders. These terms attribute to Hamilcar alone the project to which he
being agreed to, he immediately seized on Spendius henceforth devoted himself with so much energy,
and his companions as the ten whom he selected: and which was so ably followed up after his death
the rebel army, deeming themselves betrayed, by Hasdrubal and Hannibal,—that of forining in
rushed to arms; but Hamilcar surrounded them Spain a new empire, which should not only be a
with his elephants and troops, and put them all to source of strength and wealth to Carthage, and
the sword, to the number, it is said, of 40,000 men. compensate for the loss of Sicily and Sardinia, but
(Polyb. i. 82—85. ) But even this fearful mas- should be the point from whence he might at a
sacre was far from putting an end to the war: a subsequent period renew hostilities against Rome.
large force still remained under the command of (Polyb. ii. 9, 10. ) His enmity to that state, and
Matho, with which he held the important town of his long-cherished resentment for the loss of Sicily,
Tunis. Here Hamilcar and Hannibal proceeded had been aggravated by the flagrant injustice with
to besiege him with their combined forces; but which the Romans had taken advantage of the
Matho took advantage of the negligence of the weakness of Carthage after the African war, to
latter, to surprise his camp, cut to pieces great part force from her the cession of Sardinia, one of her
of his army, aud take Hannibal himself prisoner. most valued possessions; and the intensity of this
This disaster compelled Hamilcar to raise the siege feeling may be inferred from the well-known story
of Tunis, and fall back to the river Bagradas. The of his causing his son Hannibal, when a child of
Carthaginian senate, in great alarm, now exerted nine years old, to swear at the altar eternal hostility
themselves to bring about a reconciliation between to Rome. (Polyb. iii. 11. ) But his views were
Hamilcar and Hanno ; and this being at length long-sighted, and he regarded the subjugation of
effected, the two generals again took the field in Spain as a necessary preliminary to that contest
concert. They soon succeeded in bringing matters for life or death, to which he looked forward as bis
to the decision of a general battle, in which the ultimate end. The Carthaginians, whether or not
rebels were completely defeated, and Matho him- they sanctioned his plans in the beginning, did not
self taken prisoner ; after which almost all the attempt to interfere with them afterwards, and left
revolted towns submitted to the Carthaginians. him the uncontrolled direction of affairs in Spain
Utica and Hippo alone held out for a time, but from his first arrival there till his death, a period of
they were soon reduced, the one by Hamilcar and nearly nine years. But of all that he accomplished
the other by Hanno ; and this sanguinary war at during this long interval we know, unfortunately,
length brought to a successful close (B. C. 238), almost nothing. Previous to this time the Car-
after it had lasted three years and four months. thaginians do not appear to have had any dominion
(Polyb. i. 86-88; comp. Diod. Erc. Hoeschel. in the interior of Spain, though Gades and other
xxv. l; and for the chronology see Clinton, F. H. Phoenician colonies gave them in some measure
vol. iii. an. 238. )
the command of the southern coasts ; but Hamilcar
There is much obscurity with regard to the con carried his arms into the heart of the country, and
duct of Hamilcar after the termination of the war while he reduced some cities and tribes by force of
of the mercenaries. Polybius states simply (ii. 1) arms, gained over others by negotiation, and availed
that the Carthaginians immediately afterwards himself of their services as allies or as mercenaries,
sent him with an army into Spain. Diodorus and The vast wealth he is said to have acquired by his
Appian, on the contrary, represent him as engaging victories was probably derived not only from the
in intrigues with the popular party at Carthage plunder and contributions of the vanquished na-
against the aristocracy; and the latter author tions, but from the rich silver mines in part of the
asserts that it was in order to escape a prosecution country which he subdued. We are told also that
brought against him by the adverse party for his he founded a great city, which he destined to be
conduct in Sicily, that he sought and obtained em- the capital of the Carthaginian empire in Spain, at
ployment in a war against the Numidians, in which a place called the White Promontory ("Arpa Aeukn),
Hanno was associated with him as his colleague ; but this was probably superseded by New Car-
and on the latter being recalled to Carthage, thage, and its situation is now unknown. The
## p. 330 (#346) ############################################
330
HAMILCAR.
HAMILCAR
.
ܪ
progress which the arms of Hamilcar had made in we are now speaking is the same as the Himilco
the peninsula may be in some measure estimated whom Livy had previously mentioned (xxiii. 28)
by the circumstance that the fatal battle in which as being sent into Spain with a large force to sup-
he perished is stated to have been fought against port Hasdrubal. (Himilco, No. 7. )
the Vettones, a people who dwelt between the 11. A Carthaginian admiral, who commanded
Tagus and the Guadiana. (Corn. Nep. Hamilc. the fleet of observation which the Carthaginians
4; Strab. iii. p. 139. ) According to Liry (xxiv. kept up during the second Punic war, to watch the
41), it occurred near a place called Castrum Album, movements of the Romans in Sicily. (Polyb. viii.
but the exact site is unknown. The circumstances 3. & 8. ) He is probably the same who in the
of his defeat and death are very differently told by summer of 210 ravaged the coasts of Sardinia with
Diodorus and by Appian. The account of the a fleet of 40 ships (Liv. xxvii. 6); and whom we
latter author is contirmed by Zonaras ; but all find holding the chief naval command at Carthage
writers agree that he displayed the utmost personal when the seat of war was transferred to Africa.
bravery in the fatal conflict, and that his death was (Appian, Pun. 24. ). After the defeat of Hasdrubal
not unworthy of his life. It took place in 229 and Syphax by Scipio in 203, Hamilcar made a
B. C. , about ten years before his son Hannibal was sudden attack upon the Roman fleet as it lay at
able to commence the realisation of the great de anchor before Utica. He had hoped to have taken
signs in the midst of which he was thus himself cut it by surprise, and destroyed the whole ; but the
off. (Polyb. ii. l; Diod. Exc. Hoeschel. xxv.
2; vigilance of Scipio anticipated his design, and after
Zonar. viii. 19; Corn. Nep. Hamilc. 4; Liv. xxi. an obstinate combat he was only able to carry off
1, 2; Oros. iv, 13. )
six ships to Carthage. In a subsequent attack he
We know very little concerning the private effected still less. (Appian, Pun. 24, 25, 30; Liv.
character of Hamilcar: an anecdote of him pre- xxx. 10).
served by Diodorus (Exc. Val. xxiv. 2, 3) repre- 12. An officer in the army of Hannibal, in Italy,
sents in a favourable light his liberality and even during the second Punic war. In 215 he was de
generosity of spirit; and we have seen that he at tached, together with Hanno, into Bruttium, where
first displayed much leniency towards the insurgents he succeeded in reducing the important town of
in the African war, though the atrocities of his Locri. (Liv. xxiv. 1. ) He appears to have been
opponents afterwards led him to acts of frightful appointed goremor of his new conquest, which he
cruelty by way of retaliation. His political rela- held with a Carthaginian garrison till the year 205,
tions are so obscure that it is difficult to form a when the citadel was surprised by Q. Pleminius.
judgment concerning his conduct in this respect ; | Hamilcar still held out in another fort that com-
but there certainly seems reason to suppose that, manded the town, and Hannibal himself advanced
like many other great men, the consciousness of his to his relief, but the unexpected arrival of Scipio
own superiority rendered him impatient of control; disconcerted his plans, and he was compelled to
and it is not improbable that he sought in Spain abandon Locri to its fate. Hamilcar made his es-
greater freedom of action and a more independent cape in the night, with the remains of his garrison.
career than existing institutions allowed him at According to the Roman historians, his conduct
home. An odious imputation cast on his relations during the period he had held the command at
with Hasdrubal was probably no more than a Locri was marked by every species of cruelty and
calumny of the opposite faction. (Corn. Nep. extortion, which were however, according to their
Hamilc. 3 ; Liv. xxi. 2, 3. ) Of the military genius own admission, far exceeded by those of his Roman
of Hamilcar our imperfect knowledge of the details successor. (Liv. xxix. 6—8, 17. )
of his campaigns scarcely qualifies us to judge, but 13. A Carthaginian, who had remained in Cisal-
the concurrent testimony of antiquity places him in pine Gaul after the defeat of Hasdrubal at the
this respect almost on a par with his son Hannibal. Metaurus (B. C. 207), or, according to others, had
He left three sons, Hannibal, Hasdrubal, and been left there by Mago when he quitted Italy.
Mago, all of whom bore a distinguished part in the In 200, when the Romans were engaged in the
second Punic war.
Macedonian war, and had greatly diminished their
9. Son of Gisco, was the Carthaginian governor forces in Gaul, Hamilcar succeeded in exciting a
of Malta at the beginning of the second Punic war. general revolt, not only of the Insubrians, Bojaps,
He surrendered the island, together with his gar- and Cenomanni, but several of the Ligurian tribes
rison of 2000 men, into the hands of the Roman also. By a sudden attack, he took the Roman co-
consul, Ti. Sempronius Longus, B. C. 218. (Liv. lony of Placentia, which he plundered and burnt,
xxi. 51. )
and then laid siege to Cremona; but that place,
10. Son of Bomilcar (probably the Suffete of though unprepared for defence, was able to hold
that name: see BOMILCAR No. 2), is mentioned out until the Roman praetor, L. Furius, arrived to
as one of the generals in Spain in B. c. 215, together its relief with an army from Ariminum. A pitched
with Hasdrubal and Mago, the two sons of Barca. battle ensued, in which the Gauls were totally de
The three generals, with their united armies, were feated, and in which, according to one account,
besieging the city of Illiturgi, when the two Scipios Hamilcar was slain : but another, and a more
came up to its relief; and notwithstanding the probable statement, represents him as continuing
great inferiority of their forces, totally defeated the to take part in the war of the Gallic tribes, not
Carthaginians, and compelled them to raise the without frequent successes, until the year 197,
siege. (Liv. xxiii. 49. ) No other mention is when he was taken prisoner, in the great battle on
found of this Hamilcar, unless he be the same that the river Mincius, in which the Insubrians were
is named by Polybius (iii. 95) as commanding the overthrown by the consul Cethegus. He is said to
fleet of Hasdrubal in 217. That officer is, how- have adorned the triumph celebrated by the vic
ever, called by Livy (xxii. 19) Himilco. From torious consul. (Liv. xxxi. 10, 21, xxxii. 30,
the perpetual confusion between these two names xxxiii. 23; Zonar. ix. 15, 16. ) In these pro-
it seeins not impossibic that the person of whom ceedings, it is clear that Hamilcar acted without
R
## p. 331 (#347) ############################################
HAMPSICORA.
331
HANNIBAL:
any authority from Carthage ; and, on the com- | action, and Hampsicora, who had made his escape
plnints of the Romans, the Carthaginian govern- from the field of battle, on learning the death of
ment passed sentence against him of banishment and his son, put an end to his own life. These events
confiscation of his property. (Liv. xxxi. 19. ) occurred in the summer of B. C. 215. (Liv. xxiii.
14. Surnamed the Samnite, on what account we 32, 40, 41. )
(E. H. B. )
know not. He was one of the leaders of the demo HA'NNÍBAL ('Avvlbas). Many persons of
cratic party at Carthage during the dissensions which this name occur in the history of Carthage, whom
divided that state after the close of the second it is not always casy to distinguish from one an-
Punic war; and one of those who instigated Car- other, on account of the absence of family names,
thalo to attack the troops of Masinissa. (Car- and even of patronymics, among the Carthaginians.
THALO, No. 3. ) At a subsequent period (B. c. 151), The name itself signifies, according to Gesenius
the democratic party having expelled from the city (Ling. Phocn. Monum. p. 407), “ the grace or fa-
those who were considered to favour Masinissa, vour of Banl ; " the final syllable bal, of such
that monarch sent his two sons, Gulussa and Mi- common occurrence in Punic names, always having
cipsa, to demand the restoration of the exiles ; but reference to this tutelary deity of the Phoenicians.
the two princes were refused admission within the 1. A son of Hasdrubal, and grandson of Mago,
gates; and as they were retiring, Hamilcar attacked mentioned only by Justin (xix. 2), according to
them, and killed many of the followers of Gulussa, whom this Hannibal, together with his brothers,
who himself escaped with difficulty. This outrage Hasdrubal and Sappho, carried on successful wars
was one of the immediate causes of the war with against the Africans, Numidians, and Mauritanians,
Masinissa, which ultimately led to the third Punic and was one of those mainly instrumental in estab-
war. It is probable that Hamilcar, though not lishing the dominion of Carthage on the continent
mentioned by name, was included in the proscrip- of Africa
tion of Hasdrubal, Carthalo, and the other leaders 2. Son of Gisco, and grandson of the Hamilcar
of the war party, by which the Carthaginians sought who was killed at Himera B. c. 480. [HAMILCAR,
to appease the anger of Rome, when the danger of No. 1. ) He was one of the suffetes, or chief ma-
war with that power became imminent. (Appian, gistrates, of Carthage at the time that the Seges-
Pun. 68, 70, 74. )
tans, after the defeat of the great Athenian ex-
15. One of the five ambassadors sent by the pedition to Sicily, implored the assistance of the
Carthaginians to Rome at the beginning of the third Carthaginians, to protect them against the Selinun-
Punic war, B. c. 149. They were furnished with tines. The senate of Cartbage, having determined
full powers to act as they decmed best, in order to to avail themselves of the opportunity of extending
avert the impending danger ; and finding, on their their power and influence in Sicily, Hannibal was
arrival at Rome, that the senate had already passed appointed to conduct the war: a small force was
a decree for war, and would no longer enter into sent off immediately to the support of the Seges-
negotiation, they determined on offering unqualified tans, and Hannibal, having spent the winter in
submission. This declaration was favourably re assembling a large body of mercenaries from Spain
ceived, but 300 hostages were required, as a proof and Africa, landed at Lilybaeum the following
of the sincerity of their countrymen, and, with spring (B. C. 409), with an anny, according to the
this demand, the ambassadors returned to Carthage. lowest statement, of not less than 100,000 men.
(Polyb. xxxvi. 1, 2. )
His arms were first directed against Selinus, which,
16. There is a Cárthaginian author, of the name though one of the most powerful and opulent cities
of Hamilcar, mentioned (together with Mago) by of Sicily, appears to have been ill prepared for de-
Columella (xii. 4) as having written on the details fence, and Hannibal pressed his attacks with such
of husbandry ; but nothing more is known con- vigour, that he made himself master of the city,
cerning him.
(E. H. B. ] after a siege of only nine days: the place was given
HAMMONIUS. (AMMONIUS. )
up to plunder, and, with the exception of some of
HAMMO'NIUS, C. AVIA'NUS, a freedman the temples, almost utterly destroyed. From hence
of M. Aemilius Avianus, whom Cicero recom- Hannibal proceeded to lay siege to Himera, into
mended, in B. C. 46, to Ser. Sulpicius, governor of which place Diocles had thrown himself, at the
Achaia (Cic. ad Fam. xiii. 21, 27. )
head of a body of Syracusans and other auxiliaries;
HAMPSICORA, a Sardinian chief, who, after but the latter, after an unsuccessful combat, in
the battle of Cannae (B. C. 216), entered into secret which many of his troops had fallen, became
negotiations with the Carthaginians, inviting them alarmed for the safety of Syracuse itself, and with-
to send over a force to Sardinia, to recover that drew, with the forces under his command, and a
important island from the dominion of Rome. His part of the citizens of Himera, leaving the rest to
overtures were eagerly listened to, and Hasdrubal, their fate. The remnant thus left were unable to
sumamed the Bald, dispatched with a fleet and defend their walls, and the city fell the next day
amy, to support the intended revolt. But before into the power of Hannibal, who, after having
the arrival of Hasdrubal, and while Hampsicora abandoned it to be plundered by his soldiers, razed
himself was engaged in levying troops in the in- it to the ground, and sacrificed all the prisoners
terior of the island, his son Hiostus rashly allowed that had fallen into his hands, 3000 in number,
himself to be led into an engagement with the upon the field of battle, where his grandfather Ha-
Roman praetor, T. Manlius, in which he was de- milcar had perished. After these successes, he
ſeated, and his forces dispersed. The arrival of returned in triumph to Carthage. (Diod. xiii. 43,
Hasdrubal for a moment changed the face of af- 44, 54-62 ; Xen. Hell. i. 1. $ 37. )
fairs, but he and Hampsicora having advanced with It appears that Hannibal must have been at
their united forces against Caralis, the capital of the this time already a man of advanced age, and he
Roman province, they were met by Manlius, when seems to have been disposed to rest content with
a decisive battle took place, in which the Romans the glory he had gained in this expedition, so that
were completely victorious. Hiostus fell in the / when, three years afterwards (B. c. 406), the Cir-
## p. 332 (#348) ############################################
332
HANNIBAL.
HANNIBAL
thaginians determined on sending another, and a the Romans. (Polyb. i. 17–19 ; Zonar. viii, 10;
still greater, armament to Sicily, he at first declined Oros. iv. 7. ) Hannibal's attention was henceforth
the command, and was only induced to accept it directed principally to carrying on the contest by
by having his cousin Himilco associated with him. sea : with a fleet of sixty ships, be ravaged the
After making great preparations, and assembling coasts of Italy, which were then almost defence-
an immerse force of mercenary troops, Hannibal less ; and the next year (B. C. 260), on learning
took the lead, with a squadron of fifty triremes, that the consul, Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina, had
but was quickly followed by Himilco, with the put to sea with a squadron of seventeen ships, he
main army; and having landed their whole force dispatched Boodes, with twenty gallies, to meet
in safety, they proceeded immediately to invest him at Lipari, where the latter succeeded by a
Agrigentum, at that time one of the wealthiest and stratagem in capturing Scipio, with his whole
most powerful cities in Sicily. But while the two squadron. After this success, Hannibal put to sea
generals were pushing their attacks with the utmost in person, with fifty ships, for the purpose of again
digour on several points at once, a pestilence sud- ravaging the coasts of Italy, but, falling in unex-
venly broke out in the camp, to which Hannibal pectedly with the whole Roman fleet, he lost many
himself fell a victim, B. C. 406. (Diod. xiii. 80— of his ships, and with difficulty made his escape to
86. )
Sicily with the remainder. Here, however, he joined
3. Father of Hanno, who joined Hieron in the the rest of his fleet, and C. Duilius, having taken
siege of Messana (HANNO, No. 8. )
the command of that of the Romans, almost im-
4.
pears to have traversed the island with his vic- nothing of him previous to his appointment to the
torious army, as we find him making himself command of the Carthaginian forces in Sicily, in
master of Enna and Camarina, both of which were the eighteenth year of the first Punic War, B. C.
betrayed to him by the inhabitants. He at the 247. He was at this time quite a young man
same time fortified the stronghold of Drepanum, (adınodum adolescentulus, Corn. Nep. Hamilc. 1),
which became in the latter part of the war one of but had already given proofs of his abilities in war,
the most important fortresses of the Carthaginians. which led to his being named as the successor
(Diod. xxiii. p. 503 ; Zonar, viii. 11. ) In the of Carthalo. His first operations fully justified
year 257 he commanded the Punic fleet on the the choice, and were characterised by the same
north coast of Sicily, and fought a naval action energy and daring as distinguished the whole of
with the Roman consul C. Atilius, in which, ac- his subsequent career. At the time that he
cording to Polybius, the victory was undecided, arrived in Sicily the Romans were masters of the
though the Roman commander was honoured with whole island, with the exception of the two for-
a triumph. (Polyb. i. 25, 27 ; Zonar. viii. 12; tresses of Drepanum and Lily baeum, both of which
Fast. Capitol. ) In the following year (256), we were blockaded by them on the land side, and the
find him associated with Hanno in the command Carthaginians had for some time past contented
of the great Carthaginian fleet, which was de-themselves with defending these two strongholds,
signed to prevent the passage of the Roman expe- and keeping open their communication with them
dition to Africa under the consuls M. Atilius Roby sea. But Hamilcar, after ravaging with liis
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328
HAMILCAR.
HAMILCAR
:
1
fleet the shores of Bruttium, suddenly landed on the 56--62, 66; Diod. Ext. xxiv. ; Zonar. viii. 16,
north coast of Sicily, and established himself with 17; Corn. Nep. Hamilc. l. )
his whole army on a mountain named Hercte (now He himself returned to Carthage, filled with im-
called Monte Pellegrino), in the midst of the placable animosity against Rome, and brooding over
enemy's country, and in the immediate neighbour- plans for future vengeance under more favourable
hood of Panormus, one of their most important circumstances. (Polyb. iii. 9 ) But all such pro-
cities. Here he succeeded in maintaining his jects were for a time suspended by a danger nearer
ground, to the astonishment alike of friends and home. The great revolt of the mercenary troops,
foes, for nearly three years. The natural strength headed by Spendius and Matho, which broke out
of the position defied all the efforts of the enemy, immediately after their return from Sicily, and in
and a small, but safe and convenient, harbour at which they were quickly joined by almost all the
the foot of the mountain enabled him not only to native Africans, broughe Carthage in a moment to
secure his own communications by sea, but to send the brink of ruin. Hamilcar was not at first em-
out squadrons which plundered the coasts of Sicily ployed against the insurgents ; whether this arose
and Italy even as far north as Cumae. By land, from the predominance of the adverse party, or that
meanwhile, he was engaged in a succession of he was looked upon as in some measure the author
almost continual combats with the Romans, which of the evils that had given rise to the insurrection,
did not, indeed, lead to any decisive result, but from the promises he had been compelled to make
served him as the means of trining up a body of to the mercenaries under his command, and which
infantry which should be a match for that of there were now no means of fulfilling, we know
Rome, while he so completely paralysed the whole not; but the incapacity of Hanno, who first took
power of the enemy as to prevent their making the field against the rebels, soon became so appa-
any vigorous attempts against either Drepanum or rent, that all parties concurred in the appointment
Lilybaeum. So important did it appear to the of Hamilcar to succeed him. He found affairs in a
Komans to expel him from his mountain fastness, state apparently almost hopeless : Carthage itself
that they are said to have at one time assembled a was not actually besieged, but all the passes which
force of 40,000 men at the foot of the rock of secured its communication with the interior were
Herctè. (Diod. Exc. Hoesch. xxiii. p. 506. ) Yet in the hands of the insurgents, who were also
Hamilcar still held out; and when, at length, he masters of all the open country, and were actively
relinquished his position, it was only to occupy engaged in besieging Urica and Hippo, the only
one still more extraordinary and still more galling towns that still remained faithful to the Carthagi-
to the enemy. In 244 he abruptly quitted Herctè, nians. The forces placed at the disposal of Ha-
and, landing suddenly at the foot of Mount Eryx, milcar amounted to only 10,000 men and 70
seized on the town of that name, the inhabitants elephants ; but with these he quickly changed the
of which he removed to Drepanum, and converted face of affairs, forced the passage of the river Ba.
it into a fortified camp for his army. The Romans gradas, defeated the enemy with great slaughter,
still held the fort on the summit of the mountain, and re-opened the communications with the interior.
while one of their armies lay in a strongly in- He now traversed the open country unopposed, and
trenched camp at the foot of it. Yet in this still reduced many towns again to the suhjection of
more confined arena did Hamilcar again defy all Carthage. On one occasion, indeed, he seems to
their exertions for two years more ; during which have been surprised and involved in a situation of
period he had not only to contend against the much difficulty, but was saved by the opportune
efforts of his enemies, but the disaffection and accession of Naravas, a Numidian chief, with whose
fickleness of the mercenary troops under his com- assistance he totally defeated the rebels under
mand, especially the Gauls. In order to retain Spendius and Autaritns. Many captives having
them in obedience, he was obliged to make them fallen into his hands on this occasion, Hanilcar
large promises, the difficulty of fulfilling which treated them with the utmost lenity, receiving into
was said to have been afterwards one of the main his army all that were willing to enlist, and dis-
causes of the dreadful war in Africa. (Polyb. i. 66, missing the rest in safety to their homes, on con-
ii. 7 ; Appian, Hisp. 4. ) But while he thus con- dition of their not bearing arms against him again.
tinued to maintain his ground in spite of all ob- But this clemency was so far from producing the
stacles, the Romans, despairing of effecting any desired effect, that it led Spendius and Matho, the
thing against him by land, determined to make leaders of the insurgents, from apprehension of the
one great effort to recover the supremacy by sea. | influence it might exercise upon their followers, to
A powerful fleet was sent out under Lutatius the most barbarous measures, and they put to death
Catulus, and the total defeat of the Carthaginian Gisco and all their other prisoners, in order, by
admiral Hanno off the Aegates, in B, C. 241, de this means, to put an end to all hopes of reconcili-
'cided the fate of the war. (HANNO, No. 11; CA- ation or pardon. This atrocity drove Hamilcar to
TULUS. ) The Carthaginian government now re- measures of retaliation, and he henceforib put to
ferred it to Hamilcar to determine the question of death, without mercy, all the prisoners that fell
war or peace; and seeing no longer any hopes of into his hands. (Polyb. i. 75–81; Diod. Exc.
ultimate success, he reluctantly consented to the Vales. xxv. 2. ) The advantages hitherto gained by
treaty, by which it was agreed that the Cartha- Barca were now almost counterbalanced by the
ginians should evacuate Sicily. Lutatius had at defection of Utica and Hippo ; and Hanno baring
first insisted that the troops on Mount Eryx been (for what reason we know not) associated
should lay down their arms; but this was peremp with him in the command, the dissensions which
torily refused by Hamilcar, and the Roman con- broke out between the two generals effectually pre-
sul was forced to, abandon the demand. Hamilcar vented their co-operating to any successful result.
descended with his army to Lily baeum, where he These disputes were at length terminated by the
immediately resigned the command, leaving it to Carthaginian government leaving it to the amy
Gisco to conduct the troops to Africa. (Polyb. i. I to decide which of the two generals should resign,
а
## p. 329 (#345) ############################################
HAMILCAR.
329
HAMILCAR.
and which should retain his command. The soldiers | Hamilcar crossed over into Spain. Both Appian
chose Hamilcar, who accordingly remained at his and Zonaras expressly assert that he took this im-
post, and Hannibal succeeded Hanno as his col- portant step without any authority from the govem-
Icague. Matho and Spendius, the leaders of the ment at home, trusting to the popular influence at
insurgents, had taken advantage of the dissensions Carthage to ratify his measures subsequently; and
among their adversaries, and after many successes it is said that he secured this confirmation not only
had even ventured to lay siege to Carthage itself; by his brilliant successes, and by the influence of
but Hamilcar, by laying waste the country behind his son-in-law Hasdrubal, one of the chief leaders
them, and intercepting their supplies, reduced them of the democratic party at Carthage, but by em-
to such distress, that they were compelled to raise ploying the treasures which he obtained in Spain
the siege. Spendius now took the field against in purchasing adherents at home. (Appian, Hisp.
Hamilcar; but though his forces were greatly 4, 5, Annib. 2; Zonar. viii. 17; Diod. Exc. Vales.
superior, he was no match for his adversary in xxv. ) Whatever weight we may attach to these
generalship; and the latter succeeded in shutting statements (which are probably derived from Fa-
him up, with his whole army, in a position from bius), it is certain that Hamilcar was supported by
which there was no escape. Hence, after suffering the popular or democratic party at Carthage, in
the utmost extremities of hunger, Spendius him- opposition to the old aristocracy, of whom Hanno
self, together with nine others of the leaders of the was the chief leader : and it was in order to
rebels, repaired to the camp of Hamilcar to sue for strengthen this interest that he allied himself with
mercy. That general agreed to allow the army to Hasdrubal, who, both by his wealth and popular
depart in safety, but without arms or baggage, and manners, had acquired a powerful body of adherents
retaining to himself the power of selecting for in the state. It seems probable also that we are to
punishment ten of the ringleaders. These terms attribute to Hamilcar alone the project to which he
being agreed to, he immediately seized on Spendius henceforth devoted himself with so much energy,
and his companions as the ten whom he selected: and which was so ably followed up after his death
the rebel army, deeming themselves betrayed, by Hasdrubal and Hannibal,—that of forining in
rushed to arms; but Hamilcar surrounded them Spain a new empire, which should not only be a
with his elephants and troops, and put them all to source of strength and wealth to Carthage, and
the sword, to the number, it is said, of 40,000 men. compensate for the loss of Sicily and Sardinia, but
(Polyb. i. 82—85. ) But even this fearful mas- should be the point from whence he might at a
sacre was far from putting an end to the war: a subsequent period renew hostilities against Rome.
large force still remained under the command of (Polyb. ii. 9, 10. ) His enmity to that state, and
Matho, with which he held the important town of his long-cherished resentment for the loss of Sicily,
Tunis. Here Hamilcar and Hannibal proceeded had been aggravated by the flagrant injustice with
to besiege him with their combined forces; but which the Romans had taken advantage of the
Matho took advantage of the negligence of the weakness of Carthage after the African war, to
latter, to surprise his camp, cut to pieces great part force from her the cession of Sardinia, one of her
of his army, aud take Hannibal himself prisoner. most valued possessions; and the intensity of this
This disaster compelled Hamilcar to raise the siege feeling may be inferred from the well-known story
of Tunis, and fall back to the river Bagradas. The of his causing his son Hannibal, when a child of
Carthaginian senate, in great alarm, now exerted nine years old, to swear at the altar eternal hostility
themselves to bring about a reconciliation between to Rome. (Polyb. iii. 11. ) But his views were
Hamilcar and Hanno ; and this being at length long-sighted, and he regarded the subjugation of
effected, the two generals again took the field in Spain as a necessary preliminary to that contest
concert. They soon succeeded in bringing matters for life or death, to which he looked forward as bis
to the decision of a general battle, in which the ultimate end. The Carthaginians, whether or not
rebels were completely defeated, and Matho him- they sanctioned his plans in the beginning, did not
self taken prisoner ; after which almost all the attempt to interfere with them afterwards, and left
revolted towns submitted to the Carthaginians. him the uncontrolled direction of affairs in Spain
Utica and Hippo alone held out for a time, but from his first arrival there till his death, a period of
they were soon reduced, the one by Hamilcar and nearly nine years. But of all that he accomplished
the other by Hanno ; and this sanguinary war at during this long interval we know, unfortunately,
length brought to a successful close (B. C. 238), almost nothing. Previous to this time the Car-
after it had lasted three years and four months. thaginians do not appear to have had any dominion
(Polyb. i. 86-88; comp. Diod. Erc. Hoeschel. in the interior of Spain, though Gades and other
xxv. l; and for the chronology see Clinton, F. H. Phoenician colonies gave them in some measure
vol. iii. an. 238. )
the command of the southern coasts ; but Hamilcar
There is much obscurity with regard to the con carried his arms into the heart of the country, and
duct of Hamilcar after the termination of the war while he reduced some cities and tribes by force of
of the mercenaries. Polybius states simply (ii. 1) arms, gained over others by negotiation, and availed
that the Carthaginians immediately afterwards himself of their services as allies or as mercenaries,
sent him with an army into Spain. Diodorus and The vast wealth he is said to have acquired by his
Appian, on the contrary, represent him as engaging victories was probably derived not only from the
in intrigues with the popular party at Carthage plunder and contributions of the vanquished na-
against the aristocracy; and the latter author tions, but from the rich silver mines in part of the
asserts that it was in order to escape a prosecution country which he subdued. We are told also that
brought against him by the adverse party for his he founded a great city, which he destined to be
conduct in Sicily, that he sought and obtained em- the capital of the Carthaginian empire in Spain, at
ployment in a war against the Numidians, in which a place called the White Promontory ("Arpa Aeukn),
Hanno was associated with him as his colleague ; but this was probably superseded by New Car-
and on the latter being recalled to Carthage, thage, and its situation is now unknown. The
## p. 330 (#346) ############################################
330
HAMILCAR.
HAMILCAR
.
ܪ
progress which the arms of Hamilcar had made in we are now speaking is the same as the Himilco
the peninsula may be in some measure estimated whom Livy had previously mentioned (xxiii. 28)
by the circumstance that the fatal battle in which as being sent into Spain with a large force to sup-
he perished is stated to have been fought against port Hasdrubal. (Himilco, No. 7. )
the Vettones, a people who dwelt between the 11. A Carthaginian admiral, who commanded
Tagus and the Guadiana. (Corn. Nep. Hamilc. the fleet of observation which the Carthaginians
4; Strab. iii. p. 139. ) According to Liry (xxiv. kept up during the second Punic war, to watch the
41), it occurred near a place called Castrum Album, movements of the Romans in Sicily. (Polyb. viii.
but the exact site is unknown. The circumstances 3. & 8. ) He is probably the same who in the
of his defeat and death are very differently told by summer of 210 ravaged the coasts of Sardinia with
Diodorus and by Appian. The account of the a fleet of 40 ships (Liv. xxvii. 6); and whom we
latter author is contirmed by Zonaras ; but all find holding the chief naval command at Carthage
writers agree that he displayed the utmost personal when the seat of war was transferred to Africa.
bravery in the fatal conflict, and that his death was (Appian, Pun. 24. ). After the defeat of Hasdrubal
not unworthy of his life. It took place in 229 and Syphax by Scipio in 203, Hamilcar made a
B. C. , about ten years before his son Hannibal was sudden attack upon the Roman fleet as it lay at
able to commence the realisation of the great de anchor before Utica. He had hoped to have taken
signs in the midst of which he was thus himself cut it by surprise, and destroyed the whole ; but the
off. (Polyb. ii. l; Diod. Exc. Hoeschel. xxv.
2; vigilance of Scipio anticipated his design, and after
Zonar. viii. 19; Corn. Nep. Hamilc. 4; Liv. xxi. an obstinate combat he was only able to carry off
1, 2; Oros. iv, 13. )
six ships to Carthage. In a subsequent attack he
We know very little concerning the private effected still less. (Appian, Pun. 24, 25, 30; Liv.
character of Hamilcar: an anecdote of him pre- xxx. 10).
served by Diodorus (Exc. Val. xxiv. 2, 3) repre- 12. An officer in the army of Hannibal, in Italy,
sents in a favourable light his liberality and even during the second Punic war. In 215 he was de
generosity of spirit; and we have seen that he at tached, together with Hanno, into Bruttium, where
first displayed much leniency towards the insurgents he succeeded in reducing the important town of
in the African war, though the atrocities of his Locri. (Liv. xxiv. 1. ) He appears to have been
opponents afterwards led him to acts of frightful appointed goremor of his new conquest, which he
cruelty by way of retaliation. His political rela- held with a Carthaginian garrison till the year 205,
tions are so obscure that it is difficult to form a when the citadel was surprised by Q. Pleminius.
judgment concerning his conduct in this respect ; | Hamilcar still held out in another fort that com-
but there certainly seems reason to suppose that, manded the town, and Hannibal himself advanced
like many other great men, the consciousness of his to his relief, but the unexpected arrival of Scipio
own superiority rendered him impatient of control; disconcerted his plans, and he was compelled to
and it is not improbable that he sought in Spain abandon Locri to its fate. Hamilcar made his es-
greater freedom of action and a more independent cape in the night, with the remains of his garrison.
career than existing institutions allowed him at According to the Roman historians, his conduct
home. An odious imputation cast on his relations during the period he had held the command at
with Hasdrubal was probably no more than a Locri was marked by every species of cruelty and
calumny of the opposite faction. (Corn. Nep. extortion, which were however, according to their
Hamilc. 3 ; Liv. xxi. 2, 3. ) Of the military genius own admission, far exceeded by those of his Roman
of Hamilcar our imperfect knowledge of the details successor. (Liv. xxix. 6—8, 17. )
of his campaigns scarcely qualifies us to judge, but 13. A Carthaginian, who had remained in Cisal-
the concurrent testimony of antiquity places him in pine Gaul after the defeat of Hasdrubal at the
this respect almost on a par with his son Hannibal. Metaurus (B. C. 207), or, according to others, had
He left three sons, Hannibal, Hasdrubal, and been left there by Mago when he quitted Italy.
Mago, all of whom bore a distinguished part in the In 200, when the Romans were engaged in the
second Punic war.
Macedonian war, and had greatly diminished their
9. Son of Gisco, was the Carthaginian governor forces in Gaul, Hamilcar succeeded in exciting a
of Malta at the beginning of the second Punic war. general revolt, not only of the Insubrians, Bojaps,
He surrendered the island, together with his gar- and Cenomanni, but several of the Ligurian tribes
rison of 2000 men, into the hands of the Roman also. By a sudden attack, he took the Roman co-
consul, Ti. Sempronius Longus, B. C. 218. (Liv. lony of Placentia, which he plundered and burnt,
xxi. 51. )
and then laid siege to Cremona; but that place,
10. Son of Bomilcar (probably the Suffete of though unprepared for defence, was able to hold
that name: see BOMILCAR No. 2), is mentioned out until the Roman praetor, L. Furius, arrived to
as one of the generals in Spain in B. c. 215, together its relief with an army from Ariminum. A pitched
with Hasdrubal and Mago, the two sons of Barca. battle ensued, in which the Gauls were totally de
The three generals, with their united armies, were feated, and in which, according to one account,
besieging the city of Illiturgi, when the two Scipios Hamilcar was slain : but another, and a more
came up to its relief; and notwithstanding the probable statement, represents him as continuing
great inferiority of their forces, totally defeated the to take part in the war of the Gallic tribes, not
Carthaginians, and compelled them to raise the without frequent successes, until the year 197,
siege. (Liv. xxiii. 49. ) No other mention is when he was taken prisoner, in the great battle on
found of this Hamilcar, unless he be the same that the river Mincius, in which the Insubrians were
is named by Polybius (iii. 95) as commanding the overthrown by the consul Cethegus. He is said to
fleet of Hasdrubal in 217. That officer is, how- have adorned the triumph celebrated by the vic
ever, called by Livy (xxii. 19) Himilco. From torious consul. (Liv. xxxi. 10, 21, xxxii. 30,
the perpetual confusion between these two names xxxiii. 23; Zonar. ix. 15, 16. ) In these pro-
it seeins not impossibic that the person of whom ceedings, it is clear that Hamilcar acted without
R
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HAMPSICORA.
331
HANNIBAL:
any authority from Carthage ; and, on the com- | action, and Hampsicora, who had made his escape
plnints of the Romans, the Carthaginian govern- from the field of battle, on learning the death of
ment passed sentence against him of banishment and his son, put an end to his own life. These events
confiscation of his property. (Liv. xxxi. 19. ) occurred in the summer of B. C. 215. (Liv. xxiii.
14. Surnamed the Samnite, on what account we 32, 40, 41. )
(E. H. B. )
know not. He was one of the leaders of the demo HA'NNÍBAL ('Avvlbas). Many persons of
cratic party at Carthage during the dissensions which this name occur in the history of Carthage, whom
divided that state after the close of the second it is not always casy to distinguish from one an-
Punic war; and one of those who instigated Car- other, on account of the absence of family names,
thalo to attack the troops of Masinissa. (Car- and even of patronymics, among the Carthaginians.
THALO, No. 3. ) At a subsequent period (B. c. 151), The name itself signifies, according to Gesenius
the democratic party having expelled from the city (Ling. Phocn. Monum. p. 407), “ the grace or fa-
those who were considered to favour Masinissa, vour of Banl ; " the final syllable bal, of such
that monarch sent his two sons, Gulussa and Mi- common occurrence in Punic names, always having
cipsa, to demand the restoration of the exiles ; but reference to this tutelary deity of the Phoenicians.
the two princes were refused admission within the 1. A son of Hasdrubal, and grandson of Mago,
gates; and as they were retiring, Hamilcar attacked mentioned only by Justin (xix. 2), according to
them, and killed many of the followers of Gulussa, whom this Hannibal, together with his brothers,
who himself escaped with difficulty. This outrage Hasdrubal and Sappho, carried on successful wars
was one of the immediate causes of the war with against the Africans, Numidians, and Mauritanians,
Masinissa, which ultimately led to the third Punic and was one of those mainly instrumental in estab-
war. It is probable that Hamilcar, though not lishing the dominion of Carthage on the continent
mentioned by name, was included in the proscrip- of Africa
tion of Hasdrubal, Carthalo, and the other leaders 2. Son of Gisco, and grandson of the Hamilcar
of the war party, by which the Carthaginians sought who was killed at Himera B. c. 480. [HAMILCAR,
to appease the anger of Rome, when the danger of No. 1. ) He was one of the suffetes, or chief ma-
war with that power became imminent. (Appian, gistrates, of Carthage at the time that the Seges-
Pun. 68, 70, 74. )
tans, after the defeat of the great Athenian ex-
15. One of the five ambassadors sent by the pedition to Sicily, implored the assistance of the
Carthaginians to Rome at the beginning of the third Carthaginians, to protect them against the Selinun-
Punic war, B. c. 149. They were furnished with tines. The senate of Cartbage, having determined
full powers to act as they decmed best, in order to to avail themselves of the opportunity of extending
avert the impending danger ; and finding, on their their power and influence in Sicily, Hannibal was
arrival at Rome, that the senate had already passed appointed to conduct the war: a small force was
a decree for war, and would no longer enter into sent off immediately to the support of the Seges-
negotiation, they determined on offering unqualified tans, and Hannibal, having spent the winter in
submission. This declaration was favourably re assembling a large body of mercenaries from Spain
ceived, but 300 hostages were required, as a proof and Africa, landed at Lilybaeum the following
of the sincerity of their countrymen, and, with spring (B. C. 409), with an anny, according to the
this demand, the ambassadors returned to Carthage. lowest statement, of not less than 100,000 men.
(Polyb. xxxvi. 1, 2. )
His arms were first directed against Selinus, which,
16. There is a Cárthaginian author, of the name though one of the most powerful and opulent cities
of Hamilcar, mentioned (together with Mago) by of Sicily, appears to have been ill prepared for de-
Columella (xii. 4) as having written on the details fence, and Hannibal pressed his attacks with such
of husbandry ; but nothing more is known con- vigour, that he made himself master of the city,
cerning him.
(E. H. B. ] after a siege of only nine days: the place was given
HAMMONIUS. (AMMONIUS. )
up to plunder, and, with the exception of some of
HAMMO'NIUS, C. AVIA'NUS, a freedman the temples, almost utterly destroyed. From hence
of M. Aemilius Avianus, whom Cicero recom- Hannibal proceeded to lay siege to Himera, into
mended, in B. C. 46, to Ser. Sulpicius, governor of which place Diocles had thrown himself, at the
Achaia (Cic. ad Fam. xiii. 21, 27. )
head of a body of Syracusans and other auxiliaries;
HAMPSICORA, a Sardinian chief, who, after but the latter, after an unsuccessful combat, in
the battle of Cannae (B. C. 216), entered into secret which many of his troops had fallen, became
negotiations with the Carthaginians, inviting them alarmed for the safety of Syracuse itself, and with-
to send over a force to Sardinia, to recover that drew, with the forces under his command, and a
important island from the dominion of Rome. His part of the citizens of Himera, leaving the rest to
overtures were eagerly listened to, and Hasdrubal, their fate. The remnant thus left were unable to
sumamed the Bald, dispatched with a fleet and defend their walls, and the city fell the next day
amy, to support the intended revolt. But before into the power of Hannibal, who, after having
the arrival of Hasdrubal, and while Hampsicora abandoned it to be plundered by his soldiers, razed
himself was engaged in levying troops in the in- it to the ground, and sacrificed all the prisoners
terior of the island, his son Hiostus rashly allowed that had fallen into his hands, 3000 in number,
himself to be led into an engagement with the upon the field of battle, where his grandfather Ha-
Roman praetor, T. Manlius, in which he was de- milcar had perished. After these successes, he
ſeated, and his forces dispersed. The arrival of returned in triumph to Carthage. (Diod. xiii. 43,
Hasdrubal for a moment changed the face of af- 44, 54-62 ; Xen. Hell. i. 1. $ 37. )
fairs, but he and Hampsicora having advanced with It appears that Hannibal must have been at
their united forces against Caralis, the capital of the this time already a man of advanced age, and he
Roman province, they were met by Manlius, when seems to have been disposed to rest content with
a decisive battle took place, in which the Romans the glory he had gained in this expedition, so that
were completely victorious. Hiostus fell in the / when, three years afterwards (B. c. 406), the Cir-
## p. 332 (#348) ############################################
332
HANNIBAL.
HANNIBAL
thaginians determined on sending another, and a the Romans. (Polyb. i. 17–19 ; Zonar. viii, 10;
still greater, armament to Sicily, he at first declined Oros. iv. 7. ) Hannibal's attention was henceforth
the command, and was only induced to accept it directed principally to carrying on the contest by
by having his cousin Himilco associated with him. sea : with a fleet of sixty ships, be ravaged the
After making great preparations, and assembling coasts of Italy, which were then almost defence-
an immerse force of mercenary troops, Hannibal less ; and the next year (B. C. 260), on learning
took the lead, with a squadron of fifty triremes, that the consul, Cn. Cornelius Scipio Asina, had
but was quickly followed by Himilco, with the put to sea with a squadron of seventeen ships, he
main army; and having landed their whole force dispatched Boodes, with twenty gallies, to meet
in safety, they proceeded immediately to invest him at Lipari, where the latter succeeded by a
Agrigentum, at that time one of the wealthiest and stratagem in capturing Scipio, with his whole
most powerful cities in Sicily. But while the two squadron. After this success, Hannibal put to sea
generals were pushing their attacks with the utmost in person, with fifty ships, for the purpose of again
digour on several points at once, a pestilence sud- ravaging the coasts of Italy, but, falling in unex-
venly broke out in the camp, to which Hannibal pectedly with the whole Roman fleet, he lost many
himself fell a victim, B. C. 406. (Diod. xiii. 80— of his ships, and with difficulty made his escape to
86. )
Sicily with the remainder. Here, however, he joined
3. Father of Hanno, who joined Hieron in the the rest of his fleet, and C. Duilius, having taken
siege of Messana (HANNO, No. 8. )
the command of that of the Romans, almost im-
4.
