HAMILCAR, hi-inDlar, a name of com mon occurrence at Carthage, and borne by sev eral of its most distinguished citizens, among whom the chief was HAMILCAR BARCA (Rlight nine) : b. Carthage; d. Spain, 228 ri.c. He was the father of the celebrated Hannibal. While a young man he was appointed to the command of the Carthaginian forces in Sicily, in the 18th year of the First Punic War, 247 B.C. He estab lished himself with his whole army on Mount Hercte (now Monte Pellegrino), where he not only succeeded in maintaining his ground, but sent out squadrons to plunder the coasts of Sicily and Italy. In 244 he quitted his strong position, and, landing at the foot of Mount Eryx, converted the town of that name into a fortified camp for his army. For two years he defied all the efforts of the Romans to dis lodge him; but the Carthaginian admiral, Hanno, having been totally defeated off the )Egate Islands, 241 ii.c., he reluctantly consented to withdraw from Sicily. His inability to per form the promises, which to keep them in obedience he had made to his mercenary troops brought about their revolt after returning from Sicily, and as they were joined by almost all the native Africans Carthage was brought to the brink of ruin. The incapacity of Hanno, who
had been entrusted with the suppression of the revolt, led all parties to concur in the appoint ment of Hamilcar. He defeated the enemy with great slaughter, reduced their towns to subjection, and after several alternations of fortune, and the appointment of Hanno to a share in the command, the war was brought to a successful close, 238 B. C. Hamilcar now pro jected the formation of a new empire in Spain, to be a source of strength to Carthage, and whence hostilities might be renewed against Rome. This policy was ably prosecuted after his death by Hasdrubal and Hannibal. Hamilcar penetrated into the heart of the country, reduced some cities and tribes and acquired vast wealth. He passed nine years in Spain, and fell in a battle against the Vettones.