Hasdrubal_the_Boetharch

Hasdrubal the Boetharch

Hasdrubal the Boetharch

Carthaginian leader in the Third Punic War


Hasdrubal the Boetharch (Punic: 𐤏𐤆𐤓𐤁𐤏𐤋,[1] ʿAzrubaʿal) was a Carthaginian general during the Third Punic War. Little is known about him. "Boetharch" was a Carthaginian office, the exact function of which is unclear. It may derive from the Ancient Greek term "βοηθός (boēthós)" or "auxiliary," suggesting a leadership role among Carthage's mercenary armies.[2] It is not to be confused with the Greek title boeotarch—a leader of the Boeotian Confederacy.

Life

Hasdrubal led the Carthaginian forces at the Siege of Carthage in 146 BC. Their defeat by Scipio Aemilianus, proconsul of the Roman Republic, brought the war to a close. Hasdrubal's military skill was not to be doubted, as his army had been well trained and equipped. His work at defending Carthage cost the Romans a difficult campaign to suppress the defenders. His tactical skills, however, were dwarfed by his contemporaries Massinissa and Scipio.

According to Polybius, after Hasdrubal surrendered to Scipio, his wife cursed her husband, cut the throats of their two sons, threw them into a burning temple, and charged in herself. Hasdrubal was taken to Rome and displayed during Scipio's triumph, but later allowed to live in peace in Italy.[3]

This may be the same general Hasdrubal who was defeated near the town of Tunes (now Tunis) by the Numidian king, Masinissa, just after war was declared (149 BC).

See also


References

Citations

  1. "βοηθός".
  2. Mommsen, p. 54
    Smith, p.360

Bibliography


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