death of Hamilcar Barka

[teg]

Different sources give us different descriptions of the death of Hamilcar Barka. Diod. XXV 10. 3-4 wrote that he was drowned in an unnamed river trying to escape from Orissi . But, according to other version (App. Hisp. 5, Front. Strateg. II. 4. 17) , he was the victim of stratagem with oxes. Which version was right?

[Jona Lendering]

Dear Teg

I think nobody knows. When we have conflicting sources, we have an opportunity to think about which one we prefer; this time, I wouldn't know which one is the correct one, but at least we are aware of the problem. If we have only one source, we do not even realize we have a problem, and still, most historians will use that source without any hesitation - even though they in fact know less than when they have conflicting sources.

One final remark: the Forum Rules suggest that you use your full name.

[Sardaukar]

Maybe both versions were right...and he drowned when trying to escape horde of oxen... :wink:

[Robert Vermaat]

Teg, your real name is Eugene. Why are you ignoring my calls to use that name in your signature? It's a forum rule.

[Paullus Scipio]

Sardaukar wrote:

Maybe both versions were right...and he drowned when trying to escape horde of oxen... :wink:

.....is very likely correct!!
Here is Appian's version ( courtesy; Livius.org / Jona Lendering)
"This continued until certain Spanish kings and other chieftains gradually united and put him to death in the following manner. They loaded a lot of wagons with wood and drove them in advance with oxen, they following behind prepared for battle. When the Africans saw this they fell to laughing, not perceiving the stratagem. When they came to close quarters the Spaniards set fire to the wagons and drove the oxen against the enemy. The fire, being carried in every direction by the fleeing oxen, threw the Africans into confusion. Their ranks being thus broken the Spaniards dashed among them and killed Hamilcar himself and a great many others who came to his aid"

Frontinus records the stratagem, but does not say anything about Hamilcar's death.

Diodorus says(XXV.10.3-4):
"The king of the Orissi, however came to the aid of the beleagured city, and by a feigned offer of alliance succeeded in routing Hamilcar.In the course of his flight Hamilcar contrived to save the lives of his sons and friends by turning aside on another road; overtaken on the road by the king, he plunged on horseback into a large river and perished in the flood under his steed, but his sons Hannibal and Hasdrubal made their way safely to Acra Leuce.."

Another version of the 'Heroic death' is recorded by a late epitomiser, Tztetzes:
" Hamilcar, as Diodorus,Dio, and Dionysius of Halicarnassus all record ,was general in Sicily.This Hamilcar had conquered the whole of Iberia but was killed when the Iberians treacherously set upon him.On this occasion,he ordered the army to flee, and when his sons - Hannibal aged fifteen and Hasdrubal aged twelve - clung to him and desired to share his death, he drove them off with whips and made them join the others in flight; then he lifted the crest and helmet from his head and he was recognised by the Iberians. Since all the Iberians, just as they were, rushed to attack him the fugitives gained a respite and escaped. As soon as Hamilcar saw that the army was safe, he turned about and strove against his own defeat by the Iberians, but when they pressed hard on every side, he spurred his horse furiously into the waters of the Iber river.As he sped on, someone struck him with a javelin; though he was drowned, still his corpse was not found by the Iberians - and that was his object - for it was swept away by the currents..."
Here we have the full-blown Legendary version...Hamilcar is only defeated through treachery, then orders the army to retreat, and saves not only his sons but the whole Army with a single-handed stand (shades of Horatius at the bridge!), dies Heroically fighting single-handedly, and finally contrives to rob the enemy even of his corpse ! Here we see the Tale growing in the telling..... :roll:

There is actually nothing 'conflicting' in these accounts, if we take the basic facts that a coalition of Spanish tribes met and defeated Hamilcar, and in the rout, Hamilcar drowned in the river. The Spaniards would truthfully claim that they had 'defeated and killed Hamilcar in battle', while the Carthaginians, not wishing such an inglorious death for their Great Commander, have added the gloss of him bravely sacrificing himself to save his sons......and even both reported stratagems ( treachery and the flaming ox-carts) could well be correct.
Since several authors apparently record his death by drowning in a rout, and the other simply says 'killed Hamilcar', without specifying exactly how he died, I don't think there is any real conflict, and we may safely conclude that Hamilcar was drowned in the rout following his defeat.

[Sardaukar]

Indeed, the accounts do not conflict..except the latter one which is obviously bloated. But even that has "facts" taken from older accounts.

[Na Saighdiuir]

I thought that the version where he drowned was the accepted one.I knew he rode his horse into a swollen river to escape his enemies but i cant say id heard of the oxen "method" before!!Guess you learn something new everyday