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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 the ancient legends, descendands from ] the semi-legendary founder of the city of ]. According to the same legends, as her trojan lover ] abandoned her, she killed herself cursing him and his descendands (the Romans). :The Barcids were acording to the ancient legends, descendands from ] the semi-legendary founder of the city of ]. According to the same 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 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.
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The most famous members of this family were: The most famous members of this family were:
*] (-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. *] (-]) 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), who followed the latter in his campaign against the governing aristocracy at Carthage at the close of the First Punic War, and in his subsequent career of conquest in Hispania. After Hamilcar's death (228 BC) Hasdrubal, who succeeded him in the command, extended the newly acquired empire by skilful diplomacy, and consolidated it by the foundation of Carthago Nova as the capital of the new province. By a treaty with Rome he fixed the ] as the boundary between the two powers. He was killed by a Celtic assassin. *his son-in-law ] (-]), who followed the latter in his campaign against the governing aristocracy at Carthage at the close of the First Punic War, and in his subsequent career of conquest in Hispania. After Hamilcar's death (228 BC), Hasdrubal, who succeeded him in the command, extended the newly acquired empire by skillfull diplomacy, and consolidated it by the foundation of Carthago Nova as the capital of the new province. By a treaty with Rome he fixed the ] as the boundary between the two powers. He was killed by a Celtic assassin.




*] (247-182 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 ]. His most famous victory, the ] 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 ] the meaning of ]. Roman mothers are said to terrify their sons with: Hannibal ad portas! - Hannibal is at the gates! *] (247-]) (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 ]. His most famous victory, the ] 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 ] the meaning of ]. Roman mothers are said to terrify their sons with: Hannibal ad portas! - Hannibal is at the gates!




*], (-207 BC) second son of Hamilcar Barca, and younger brother of Hannibal. He defended the Carthaginian cities in Spain as Hannibal departed to Italy in ]. During six years against the brothers Gnaeus and Publius Cornelius Scipio with reasonable success. A defeat in ] prevented him from joining Hannibal but in ] he completely routed his opponents, both the Scipios being killed. *], (-207 BC) second son of Hamilcar Barca, and younger brother of Hannibal. He defended the Carthaginian cities in Spain as Hannibal departed to Italy in ]. During six years against the brothers Gnaeus and Publius Cornelius Scipio with reasonable success. A defeat in ] prevented him from joining Hannibal but in ] he completely routed his opponents, both the Scipios being killed.
:He was subsequently outgeneralled by ], who in ] captured Carthago Nova and gained other advantages. Leading reinforcements for his brother Hannibal, he eluded Scipio by crossing the Pyrenees at their western extremity, and making his way through Gaul and the Alps in safety, penetrated far into Central Italy where he was confronted by two Roman armies. Being forced to give battle, he was defeated in the decisive ], where he also lost his live. His head was cut off and thrown into Hannibal's camp who seems to have uttered: "Now indeed, I can clearly see the fate of Carthage." :He was subsequently outgeneralled by ], who in ] captured Carthago Nova and gained other advantages. Leading reinforcements for his brother Hannibal, he eluded Scipio by crossing the Pyrenees at their western extremity, and making his way through Gaul and the Alps in safety, penetrated far into Central Italy where he was confronted by two Roman armies. Being forced to give battle, he was defeated in the decisive ], where he also lost his live. His head was cut off and thrown into Hannibal's camp, who seems to have uttered: "Now indeed, I can clearly see the fate of Carthage."


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: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 ] in 206 BC, however, and he soon retreated to ]. :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 ] in 206 BC, however, and he soon retreated to ].


: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 ], and held control of Northern Italy for three years. :He then led a campaign to invade Italy (this time by sea) in ] with 15,000 men. They sailed from Minorca to Liguria. He managed to capture ], and held control of Northern Italy for three years.
:Wounded in a battle in ], he was recalled back to Carthage along with Hannibal to aid in its defence. Before arriving, however, he died at sea. :Wounded in a battle in ], 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 == == References ==


Revision as of 21:06, 19 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 the ancient legends, descendands from Dido the semi-legendary founder of the city of Carthage. According to the same 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 fought in the First Punic War and 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 (-228 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), who followed the latter in his campaign against the governing aristocracy at Carthage at the close of the First Punic War, and in his subsequent career of conquest in Hispania. After Hamilcar's death (228 BC), Hasdrubal, who succeeded him in the command, extended the newly acquired empire by skillfull diplomacy, and consolidated it by the foundation of Carthago Nova as the capital of the new province. By a treaty with Rome he fixed the Ebro as the boundary between the two powers. He was killed by a Celtic assassin.


  • Hannibal Barca (247-182 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, (-207 BC) second son of Hamilcar Barca, and younger brother of Hannibal. He defended the Carthaginian cities in Spain as Hannibal departed to Italy in 218 BC. During six years against the brothers Gnaeus and Publius Cornelius Scipio with reasonable success. A defeat in 216 BC prevented him from joining Hannibal but in 212 BC he completely routed his opponents, both the Scipios being killed.
He was subsequently outgeneralled by Scipio Africanus Major, who in 209 BC captured Carthago Nova and gained other advantages. Leading reinforcements for his brother Hannibal, he eluded Scipio by crossing the Pyrenees at their western extremity, and making his way through Gaul and the Alps in safety, penetrated far into Central Italy where he was confronted by two Roman armies. Being forced to give battle, he was defeated in the decisive Battle of the Metaurus, where he also lost his live. His head was cut off and thrown into Hannibal's camp, who seems 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.


References