𐤇𐤍𐤁𐤏𐤋
Hannibal Barca
b. c. 247 BCE · d. c. 183 BCE · Carthage
Name
- Punic
- Ḥannibaʿl 𐤇𐤍𐤁𐤏𐤋
- Greek
- Ἀννίβας
- Latin
- Hannibal
Ḥannibaʿl combines ḥnn ("grace, favor") with the divine name Baʿal ("lord"), yielding "grace of Baʿal" or "Baʿal has been gracious." The Barca surname, Punic Brq, "lightning", was a family epithet of his father Hamilcar, not inherited from earlier generations.
Carthaginian general and statesman, son of Hamilcar Barca. Commanded the Carthaginian war effort against Rome in the Second Punic War (218–201 BCE), including the crossing of the Alps and the victories at Trebia, Trasimene, and Cannae. Defeated by Scipio Africanus at Zama in 202 BCE. Served as suffete in Carthage after the war and reformed the city's finances before being driven into exile by Roman pressure. Took his own life c. 183 BCE in Bithynia to avoid capture.