Hasdrubal

Hasdrubal, a name which w-as not uncommon among the Carthaginians. Two bearers of it are famous in history: (1) A member of the popular party at Carthage, who, having married the daughter of Hamilcar Barca, accompanied him to Spain, succeeded to his command in 229 B.C., and founded Nova Carthago (Cartagena). He' was assassinated in 221 B.C. (2) The son of Hamilcar, and younger brother of Hannibal. During the first part of the Second Punic War he commanded the Carthaginian forces in Spain with varying success. In 216 B.C. he was ordered to join his brother in Italy, but was defeated by the Romans near the Ebro. In 212, however, he gained great successes over them, and, although next year the younger Scipio captured New Carthage, Hasdrubal was able to cross the Pyrenees. Early in 207 he appeared in Italy, and advanced into Umbria, but was defeated and slain at the battle of the Metaurus by the Consuls Livius and Nero. It is said that, in order to discourage Hannibal, his brother's head vjas thrown into his camp by the Romans.