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. A map of the central Mediterranean Sea, showing the location of Carthage (near modern Tunis). ... See also Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century). ...

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). In Greek and Roman sources Elissa or Dido appears as the founder and first Queen of Carthage in Tunisia. ... A map of the central Mediterranean Sea, showing the location of Carthage (near modern Tunis). ... Aeneas (Greek: Αινείας, Aineías) was a Trojan hero, the son of prince Anchises and the goddess Aphrodite (Venus in Roman sources). ...

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. See also Legion software and Legion forummer. ... The Third Punic War was fought between Carthage and the Roman Republic from 149 BC to 146 BC. This was the last in a series of three wars. ...

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. Oligarchy is a Political regime where most political power effectively rests with a small segment of society (typically the most powerful, whether by wealth, military strength, ruthlessness, or political influence). ... Satellite image The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean almost completely enclosed by land, on the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia. ... The Second Punic War was fought between Carthage and Rome from 218 to 202 BC. It was the second of three major wars fought between the former Phoenician colony of Carthage, and the Roman Republic, then still confined to the Italian Peninsula. ...

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. Barcelona within Barcelonès Population (2003) 1,582,738 Area 100. ... Carthago Nova (New Carthage, Carthage already meaning new city in Punic) is the Latin name of the most important Carthaginian coastal trading colony in Spain. ... Cartagena is the name of two cities: Cartagena, Spain Cartagena, Colombia This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

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. Hamilcar Barca (about 270 - 228 BC), or Barcas (Canaanite baraq lightning), was a Carthaginian general and statesman, father of Hannibal. ... The First Punic War was fought between Carthage and the Roman Republic from 264 to 241 BC. It was the first of three major wars between the two powers for supremacy in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Hasdrubal was the name of several Carthaginian generals, among whom the following are the most important: 1. ... Hannibal Barca Hannibal Barca (247 BC – 182 BC) was a military commander of ancient Carthage, best known for his achievements in the Second Punic War in marching an army from Spain over the Pyrenees and the Alps into northern Italy and defeating the Romans at the Battles of the river... See also Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century). ... The Battle of Cannae, August 2, 216 BC, was a significant battle of the Second Punic War. ... Mars was the Roman god of war, the son of Juno and a magical flower (or Jupiter). ... Fear is an unpleasant feeling of perceived risk or danger, real or not. ... Hasdrubal was the name of several Carthaginian generals, among whom the following are the most important: 1. ... The Battle of the Metaurus was a pivotal battle in the ancient conflict between Rome and Carthage, fought in 207 BC near the Metaurus River in Italy. ... Mago Barca (also spelled Magon) (243 BC - 203 BC), brother of the Carthaginian General Hannibal, he played a major role in the Second Punic War against Rome. ... The Battle of Ilipa was a battle of the Second Punic War. ... City nickname: Tacita de plata (little silver cup) Official website: http://www. ...

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. Location within Italy Flag of Genoa Christopher Columbus monument in Piazza Aquaverde Genoa (Italian Genova, Genoese Zena, French Gênes, German Genua, Spanish Genova) is a city and a seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria. ... Cisalpine Gaul (Latin: Gallia Cisalpina, meaning Gaul this side of the Alps) was aprovince of the Roman Republic, in modern-day northern Italy. ...

• A younger sister of the famous general.

References

• The enemies of Rome by Philip Matyszak published by Thames & Hudson ISBN 0-500-25124-X