HASDRUBAL (hazfdrii-bal), the name of several Carthaginian generals, of whom the most famous was the son-in law of Hamilcar Barca. In 237 B. C. he accompanied Hamilcar into Spain, and gave that general most effective aid in the work of building up a Carthaginian dominion in the Peninsula. On the death of Hamilcar in 228 B. C. the task of administering and extending the new empire devolved on Hasdrubal, who ad vanced the Carthaginian frontier from the Bmtis (the Guadalquivir) to the Tagus, and founded a new capital, Nova Carthago (the modern Cartagena), a city with the best harbor on the S. E. coast of Spain, and situated in the vicinity of rich silver mines. Hasdrubal proved himself an admirable administra tor. He was remarkably successful in conciliating the Iberian tribes, and ex tended his rule mainly by peaceful means. So independent was he of the home government that the Romans made a treaty in which the Ebro was fixed on as the frontier line, not with Carthage, but with Hasdrubal. In the eighth year
of his command, 221 B. C., he was assassi nated by a Celtic slave. Another HAS DRUBAL was the son of Hamilcar Barca and the brother of Hannibal. He de feated Cneius Scipio in Spain in 212 B. c., and in 208 marched through Gaul, to join his brother Hannibal in Italy. He crossed the Alps in favorable weather, but, instead of pushing S. made a fatal delay at Placentia, and was surprised and slain on the Metaurus in 207 B. C. A third HASDRUBAL was one of Hanni bal's principal officers in the Italian cam paigns. He made a brilliant charge at the battle of which contributed greatly to decide the fate of the day. A fourth general of the same name de fended Carthage against the Romans during the siege which ended in the city's destruction in 146 B. C. He is accused of cowardice and cruelty, and of having starved the citizens while himself living in revelry.