Truceless War: Carthage's Fight for Survival, 241 to 237 BC (History of Warfare)

The revolt of Carthage’s mercenaries and oppressed Libyan subjects in 241-237 BC nearly ended her power and even existence. This ‘truceless’ war, unrivalled for its savagery, was fought over most of Punic North Africa and spread to Sardinia. It brought to power in Carthage Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, whose generalship—though flawed—was critical to Carthage’s final victory. The main narrative, by the Greek historian Polybius a century later, is vividly evocative (inspiring Flaubert’s novel Salammbô ) yet repeatedly unclear on military and geographical details, the extent and structure of the rebel coalition, and chronology. Truceless War analyses Polybius and other sources to present a coherent and absorbing study of the war’s causes and events, and of Polybius’ historiographical methods. Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 List of Illustrations 10 List of Maps 12 Prologue 14 Maps 23 Chapter One Gisco 28 Chapter Two The army of Sicily 33 Chapter Three Politics, policies and politicians at Carthage 40 Chapter Four The army of Sicily at Carthage 52 Chapter Five Sicca 67 Chapter Six The talks at Tunes 78 Chapter Seven Mutiny 90 Chapter Eight Libya revolts 104 Chapter Nine Hanno in charge 114 Chapter Ten Hamilcar's first victory 134 Chapter Eleven Hamilcar trapped 152 Chapter Twelve 'The Libyans' 166 Chapter Thirteen Enter Naravas 173 Chapter Fourteen Sardinia rebels 181 Chapter Fifteen The killing of Gisco 187 Chapter Sixteen Disasters and defections 200 Chapter Seventeen The siege of Carthage 215 Chapter Eighteen The Saw 224 Chapter Nineteen The crosses at Tunes 246 Chapter Twenty Hamilcar and Hanno 256 Chapter Twenty One Mathos' end 262 Chapter Twenty Two Victory and humiliation 275 Chapter Twenty Three A balance-sheet 280 Chapter Twenty Four Polybius and other sources 290 Chronology of the War 302 Bibliography 304 Index 310 9789004160767