The First Punic War Part III | Rome Invades Africa, Hamilcar Barca Arrives in Sicily, The War Ends

2 years ago
64

After a period of rest and relaxation, Rome invades Africa. Consul Regulus pillages the countryside while Carthage has to rely on its newly recruited Greek mercenaries. One such mercenary was a Spartan Greek called Xanthippus who, ironically, will teach the Carthaginians on how to properly use elephants. Rome ends up smashing the Carthaginian Fleet, but five years later, with some catastrophic storms and a single naval victory, Carthage will shatter the Roman fleet. Hamilcar Barca will arrive on the scene and with the use of Guerilla Warfare tactics, will hold Lilybaeum and Drapana until the very end of the war.

Primary Sources:
Cassius Dio & Zonaras - Roman History
Cicero - De Natura Deorum
Cornelius Nepos: Hamilcar
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History
Livy Ab Urb Condita & Periochae
Philinos
Polybius, the Histories

Secondary Sources:
A Companion to the Punic Wars
A History of Roman Sea-Power Before the Second Punic War by J. H. Thiel
The First Punic War by J. F. Lazenby
A Companion to the Roman Army
Oxford Classical Dictionary

Loading 1 comment...