๐ค๐ค๐ค
Mago Barca
b. c. 243 BCE ยท d. c. 203 BCE ยท Carthage
Name
- Punic
- Magon ๐ค๐ค๐ค
- Greek
- ฮฮฌฮณฯฮฝ
- Latin
- Mago
Magon (๐ค๐ค๐ค) derives from the Punic root mgn ("to bestow, give"), yielding "gift" or "benefactor", a common Phoenician personal name also borne by the Carthaginian agricultural writer Mago and several earlier figures. The Barca surname distinguishes him as a son of Hamilcar.
Youngest brother of Hannibal and Hasdrubal Barca. Commanded the Carthaginian reserve at Cannae in 216 BCE, where his veteran African troops were decisive in the encirclement that destroyed the Roman army. Sent back to Carthage after Cannae to deliver the news (and reportedly the famous bushel of equestrian rings), then commanded in Iberia (215โ206 BCE) before opening a third front in northern Italy in 205โ203 BCE in an attempt to relieve pressure on his brother. Wounded at the Battle of Insubria (203 BCE), he died at sea on the return voyage to Africa, never reaching Carthage.