Hamilcar Barca (ca. 285–229/8 BCE)

Abstract Hamilcar Barca was a noted Carthaginian general in the First Punic War, who afterwards became de facto leader of Carthage and initiated her recovery as a great power. He was born before 280 BCE , for by 240–238 he had two marriageable daughters, while his eldest son Hannibal was born in 247. “Barca” was not a surname—Carthaginians had none—but a nickname meaning “lightning‐bolt” or perhaps “blessed” in Punic. He was appointed general in 247 over the now meager Punic forces in western Sicily: 17 years of largely unsuccessful war with Rome had curtailed both Carthage's possessions there—these now comprised solely the ports of Drepana and Lilybaeum (Trapani and Marsala)—and her resources.