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| The '''Barcid family''' was a leading family in the ancient city of ] and many of its members were fierce enemies of the ]. | The '''Barcid family''' was a leading family in the ancient city of ] and many of its members were fierce enemies of the ]. | ||
| The Barcids were acording to ancient sources, descendands from ] the semi-legendary founder of the city of ]. According to the same ancient mythical legends as her |
The Barcids were acording to ancient sources, descendands from ] the semi-legendary founder of the city of ]. According to the same ancient mythical legends as her trojan lover ] abandoned her, she killed herself cursing him and his descendands (the Romans). | ||
| Mordern historians hope to find enough artifacts or rediscover ancient texts to correctly verify that claim, or the more likely humble origin of that family. Unfortunably, with the nearly complete destruction of Carthage by the ] of the Roman Republic at the end of the ], the chances are slim that the origins of this most important family will ever be satisfactorly resolved. | Mordern historians hope to find enough artifacts or rediscover ancient texts to correctly verify that claim, or the more likely humble origin of that family. Unfortunably, with the nearly complete destruction of Carthage by the ] of the Roman Republic at the end of the ], the chances are slim that the origins of this most important family will ever be satisfactorly resolved. | ||
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| The most famous members of this family were: | The most famous members of this family were: | ||
| *] (-233 BC) |
*] (-233 BC) was a carthaginian militar commander in the ]. Reputably, he made his eldest son swear a sacred oath upon a altar of the gods "to never be a friend of Rome" (in other words: to always be a enemy of Rome). After the roman victory he expanded the colonial possesions in Spain, where he drowned crossing a river. | ||
| *his son-in-law ] (-221 BC) took over and followed the policies of his father-in-law. | *his son-in-law ] (-221 BC) took over and followed the policies of his father-in-law. | ||
Revision as of 20:11, 16 December 2005
The Barcid family was a leading family in the ancient city of Carthage and many of its members were fierce enemies of the Roman Republic.
The Barcids were acording to ancient sources, descendands from Dido the semi-legendary founder of the city of Carthage. According to the same ancient mythical legends as her trojan lover Aeneas abandoned her, she killed herself cursing him and his descendands (the Romans).
Mordern historians hope to find enough artifacts or rediscover ancient texts to correctly verify that claim, or the more likely humble origin of that family. Unfortunably, with the nearly complete destruction of Carthage by the legions of the Roman Republic at the end of the Third Punic War, the chances are slim that the origins of this most important family will ever be satisfactorly resolved.
The Barcids were one of the leading families in the ruling oligarchy of Carthage. They seem to have realized that the expansion of the Roman Republic into the Mediterrean Sea threatened the mercantile power of Carthage. Accordingly, they prepared themselves for the Second Punic War.
The Barcids were the founders of several cities in the Iberian peninsula and some of them still exist to this day. Their names are the most visible legacy: Barcelona, Carthago Nova who bears the current name of
The most famous members of this family were:
- Hamilcar Barca (-233 BC) was a carthaginian militar commander in the First Punic War. Reputably, he made his eldest son swear a sacred oath upon a altar of the gods "to never be a friend of Rome" (in other words: to always be a enemy of Rome). After the roman victory he expanded the colonial possesions in Spain, where he drowned crossing a river.
- his son-in-law Hasdrubal (-221 BC) took over and followed the policies of his father-in-law.
- Hannibal Barca (circa 247-188 BC) (the ending of his name "-bal" means "grace of Baal") one of the most famous generals in history, and arguably the greatest enemy of the Roman Republic. His most famous victory, the battle of Cannae is most likely, the best-known and most studied battle of antiquity. It was written that he taught the Romans, who claimed to be decendands of Mars the meaning of fear. Roman mothers are said to terrify their sons with: Hannibal ad portas! - Hannibal is at the gates!
- Hasdrubal Barca, one of his younger brothers, defended the Carthaginian colonial cities in Spain with reasonable success. Leading reinforcements for his brother Hannibal, he was defeated in the decisive battle of Metaurus where he lost his live. His severed head was presented to Hannibal who was to have uttered: "Now indeed, I can clearly see the fate of Carthage."
- Mago another younger brother, who was present at most of the battles of his famous brother, and many times commanded the forces that made the "decisive push".
- A younger sister of the famous general.
References
- The enemies of Rome by Philip Matyszak published by Thames & Hudson ISBN 0-500-25124-X