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Carson Baker
Ms. Bergen, Mrs. Downer, Mrs. Ibrahim
English 10-4, Latin II- 7, World History- T/TH
10 November 2010
Hamilcar Barca: A Leader of the First Punic War
Is it possible that one person could have a profound effect on the outcome of a war? The
First Punic War was initiated by the desire of both Rome and Carthage to occupy a small island
called Sicily. Although not changing the outcome of the war, the introduction of Hamilcar
Barca, a famous war hero, in 247 BCE, made situations slightly better for Carthage in that their
complete decimation was avoided. Additionally, the significance of naval fleets in this war was
undeniable because it was the determining factor in the outcome of the war.
Many historians, both modern and ancient, believe that the initial cause of the First Punic
War was control over Sicily. “Now the early Sicilian historian of the First Punic War, Philinus
of Agrigentum, insisted that in 264 the Romans broke a treaty by crossing over to Sicily” (Hoyos
9). This treaty between the Romans and the Carthaginians stated “the Romans must keep away
from Sicily entire, the Carthaginians from Italy” (Hoyos 9).
Historians that agreed with
Philinus’ belief decided that the treaty dated back to around 306 BCE. However, Philinus was
pro Carthaginian, so it could be difficult to decide which side of the story is true, especially from
someone who supports the Carthaginian only. According to Polybius, an ancient Greek historian
claimed that Philinus did not know the details of the treaty between Rome and Carthage for him
to make such allegations. Most people preferred to accept Polybius’ ideas over Philinus’.
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The Romans wanted Sicily and they decided the easiest way to control it was to start a
way with Carthage. “The First initiated the Romans’ empire with the takeover of Sicily, or most
of it, and – a few years on – of Sardinia” (Hoyos 1). Despite the fact they were enemies, before
the First Punic War, Rome and Carthage were in friendly terms. They had peace treaties for
approximately two and a half centuries prior to the First Punic War. Since Sicily lay between
both centers of power, Rome and Carthage wanted control over the island. Polybius stated circa
264 BCE, the Romans were gaining fear that Punic (Carthaginian) power was growing.
“Polybius avers that by 264 the Romans were seriously worried at the growth of Punic power in
Sicily and elsewhere” (Hoyos 18). However, their strength and power were not budging
whatsoever. There was no reason as of why Rome had to fear Carthage when they were evenly
matched. Another quote from Polybius shows this same idea; “I shall, however, endeavour to
describe with somewhat more care the first war which arose between the Romans and
Carthaginians for the possession of Sicily” (1.13). Possession of the island of Sicily was
ultimately the instigator of The First Punic War.
Hamilcar Barca (or Barcas) was a Carthaginian general who was put into command in
247 BCE. “Next year, the eighteenth year of the war, the Carthaginians appointed Hamilcar
Barca general, and put the management of the fleet into his hands” (Polybius 1.56). This
appointment was made even though Barca mismanaged his previous campaign. Notwithstanding
this, his appointment of commander was successful in that he raided Italy and attacked the
Romans in their homeland. Hamilcar then sailed with his squadron to Panormus and captured
part of the mountain, Hercte, which is between Eryx and Panormus. Hamilcar Barca and his
army, stayed at Hercte for approximately three years. There were not many big battles against
the Romans during this time, just a few small physical disputes. But in 244 BCE, Hamilcar
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decided to attempt besieging the Romans at Mount Eryx. “The Romans as we have said were in
occupation of the summit of Eryx, and had a guard stationed at its foot. But Hamilcar managed
to seize the town which lay between these two spots” (Polybius 1.58). These acts tell of
achievements Hamilcar Barca had as commander-in-chief for Carthage.
Naval fleets of both Carthage and Rome played an important role in the First Punic War.
The Romans were pleased with the land power they had, but after seeing that the Carthaginians
had an advantage of sea power over them, they considered and followed through with building
ships to meet the Carthaginians at Libya. In 256 BCE, the Romans sent their fleets to Africa to
attack the Carthaginians in Africa. “According to Polybius, there took part in the battle of
Ecnomus 680 quinquermes and 290,000 men” (Tarn 48). The fleets back in that time weren’t
exactly small. A quinquerme is a Carthaginian navy ship that was used for naval battles and
naval purposes that could hold up to a thousand men. This battle occurred as the Romans were
on their way sailing to Africa, the Carthaginian homeland, when they ran into a fleet of 350
Carthaginian ships at Ecnomus. On each side there were approximately 140,000 to 145,000
men.
Ecnomus is said to be one of the greatest naval battles of all time, which the
Carthaginians lost. “They [the Romans] succeeded in surrounding and destroying all of them
except the Consul's ship, and that they all but captured with its crew. This last, however, by the
perfection of its rowers and its consequent speed, affected a desperate escape. Meanwhile the
remaining ships of the Romans were sailing up and gradually drawing close together. Having got
into line, they charged the enemy, took ten ships with their crews, and sunk eight. The rest of the
Carthaginian ships retired to the Liparean Islands” (Polybius 1.25). The Battle of Ecnomus
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showed that both the Roman and Carthaginian navy were practically evenly matched in sea
terms.
The First Punic War finally came to an end in 241 BCE when Rome destroyed their last
naval fleet. “The interminable war ended quite suddenly after the Romans crushed the last
Carthaginian fleet at the Aegates Islands, just west of Drepana, on 10 March 241” (Hoyos 118).
After 23 years of constant fighting, the Romans finally defeated the Carthaginians, ending the
long war. The senate decided Hamilcar Barca was the best to negotiate a treaty. “The
Carthaginians shall evacuate the whole of Sicily: they shall not make war upon Hiero, nor bear
arms against the Syracusans or their allies. The Carthaginians shall give up to the Romans all
prisoners without ransom. The Carthaginians shall pay to the Romans in twenty years, 2200
Euboic talents of silver” (Polybius 1.62). Basically, the terms of the treaty were harsh for a
reason, to show that Carthage should not mess with Rome. These terms were extreme, and it
would not affect Carthage too much, to where it would destroy their economy.
The Romans had very strict terms. The money that they were forcing the Carthaginians
to pay over the 20 year time period is equal to around $965,350 today. “On one view this was to
prevent economical revival; but levying twelve hundred talents (even paid all at once) would
hardly achieve that, and no other economic blows were struck” (Hoyos 142). Carthage had a
pretty stable economy and Rome forcing payment didn’t significantly change it. Although
Carthage suffered a harsh defeat, it wasn’t all that bad. Other than the fees they were being
forced to pay the effect was minimal. Abandoning Sicily and Sardinia was probably the hardest
blow because at one point in time, they had control over those islands.
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Aside from less significant issues that may have happened between Rome and Carthage,
control over Sicily was the main trigger of the First Punic War. Since Carthage had such a great
naval advantage, the Romans built a fleet to overcome that Carthaginian power. Ultimately, that
move helped determine the outcome of the First Punic War. Hamilcar Barca had achievements
throughout his command starting in 247 BCE, but his tactics didn’t really change the outcome of
the war. In the end, Rome was successful, and many consequences fell upon the Carthaginians.
The First Punic War, caused by the desire for the acquisition of Sicily, changed the
Mediterranean World around them. Hamilcar as commander helped the Carthaginians from
getting completely annihilated. The war ended after twenty- three years of constant warfare. If
the Carthaginians had assigned Hamilcar Barca as commander-in-chief from the beginning of the
First Punic War, rather than 18 years after the start, could the outcome have been different?
Could the Carthaginians have won the war?
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Works Cited
Hoyos, B. Dexter. Unplanned Wars: The Origins of the First and Second Punic Wars. Berlin:
Walter De Gruyter, 1998. Print.
Polybius. "Polybius, Histories, Book 1" Evelyn S. Shuckburgh, 1889. Print.
Scullard, H. H. "Review: Roman Sea-Power." Henry Madden Library. 1957. Print.
Tarn, W. W. "The Fleets of the First Punic War." Henry Madden Library. 1907. Print.
"The Naval Battle of Ecnomus." Livius. Articles on Ancient History. Web. 19 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.livius.org/sh-si/sicily/sicily_t25.html>.