| Revision as of 16:14, 17 December 2005 editFlamarande (talk | contribs)8,849 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:50, 17 December 2005 edit undoFlamarande (talk | contribs)8,849 editsmNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
| Mordern historians hope to find enough artifacts or rediscover ancient texts to correctly verify that claim, or the more likely humble origin of this 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 this 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. | ||
| The Barcids were one of the leading families in the ruling ] of Carthage. They seem to have realized that the expansion of the Roman Republic into the ] threatened the mercantile power of Carthage. Accordingly, they prepared themselves for the ]. | The Barcids were one of the leading families in the ruling ] of Carthage. They seem to have realized that the expansion of the Roman Republic into the ] threatened the mercantile power of Carthage. Accordingly, they prepared themselves for the ]. | ||
| The Barcids were the founders of several cities in the Iberian peninsula and some of them still exist to this day. Their names are their most visible legacy: ], ] who bears the current name of ]. | The Barcids were the founders of several cities in the Iberian peninsula and some of them still exist to this day. Their names are their most visible legacy: ], ] who bears the current name of ]. | ||
Revision as of 16:50, 17 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 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 this 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 Mediterranean 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 their most visible legacy: Barcelona, Carthago Nova who bears the current name of Cartagena.
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 fearless descendands 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 the Metaurus where he lost his live. His severed head was presented to Hannibal who seem to have uttered: "Now indeed, I can clearly see the fate of Carthage."
- Mago Barca (also spelled Magon) (243 - 203 BC) another younger brother, was present at most of the battles of his famous brother, and played a key role in many of them, commanding the forces that made the "decisive push".
Mago fought with Hannibal in the early Italian campaigns. Soon afterwards, along with Hamilcar, another brother, Mago moved on to command the Carthaginian forces in Hispania. Defeat was suffered at Battle of Ilipa in 206 BC, however, and he soon retreated to Cádiz.
He then led a campaign to invade Italy (this time by sea) in 205 BC with 15,000 men. They sailed from Minorca to Liguria. He managed to capture Genoa, and held control of Northern Italy for three years. Wounded in a battle in Cisalpine Gaul, he was recalled back to Carthage along with Hannibal to aid in its defence. Before arriving, however, he died at sea.
- A younger sister of the famous general.
References
- The enemies of Rome by Philip Matyszak published by Thames & Hudson ISBN 0-500-25124-X