jul 5, 275 BC - 275 BC - Hamilcar Barca born

Description:

Little is known about the origins or history of the Barca family prior to the Punic Wars. Quoting Tony Bath, "The Barca family, which originally came from Cyrene, was a powerful one but not at that time among the first families of Carthage". (The origins of Carthage go back to the city of Tabarka, present-day Tunisia).[4] Unfortunately Tony Bath omits references. Lance Serge states that Hamilcar's family was part of the landed aristocracy of Carthage.[5] Hamilcar was a young man of 28 when he received the Sicilian command in 247 BC. By this time he had three daughters, and his son Hannibal was born during the same year.

Situation in Sicily
The war, which had started in 264 BC, continued after the Romans abandoned Africa, however, neither side gained a decisive advantage until 249 BC.[6] The Romans rebuilt their fleet after losing 364 ships in a storm in 255 BC, added 220 new ships, captured Panormus (modern Palermo) in 254 BC,[7] however, 150 ships were lost in another storm in 253 BC.[8] The Romans had occupied most of Sicily by 249 BC and they besieged the last two Carthaginian strongholds – in the extreme west.[9] The situation changed when the surprise attack on the Carthaginian fleet met defeat at the Battle of Drepana[10] and the following Carthaginian victory at the Battle of Phintias; the Romans were all but swept from the sea.[11] It was to be seven years before Rome again attempted to field a substantial fleet.[12][13]

The Carthaginians had gained command of the sea after their victories in 249 BC, but they only held two cities in Sicily: Lilybaeum and Drepanum by the time Hamilcar took up command. The Carthaginian state was led by the landed aristocracy at the time, and they preferred to expand across northern Africa instead of pursuing an aggressive policy in Sicily. Hanno "The Great"[14] was in charge of operations in Africa since 248 BC and had conquered considerable territory by 241 BC.[15] Carthage did not take advantage of their naval supremacy at sea and carry the war to Italy other than launching a few raids.

Carthage at this time was feeling the strain of the prolonged conflict. In addition to maintaining a fleet and soldiers in Sicily, they were also fighting the Libyans and Numidians in northern Africa.[16] As a result, Hamilcar was given a fairly small army and the Carthaginian fleet was gradually withdrawn and Carthage put most of its ships into reserve to save money and free up manpower,[12][13] so by 242 BC, Carthage had no ships to speak of in Sicily.[17]
further weakened.

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