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Gasdrubal BarkaCarthaginian commander and statesman during the Second Punic War.
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Biography of Hasdrubal Barca
Hasdrubal Barca (died in 207 BC) was a Carthaginian military commander and statesman during the Second Punic War. He was the son of Hamilcar Barca and the younger brother of Hannibal. After the start of the Second Punic War (218–201 BC) and Hannibal's invasion of Italy, Hasdrubal remained in command of Carthaginian forces in Spain. His army consisted of 13,000 infantry, 2,550 cavalry, 21 elephants, and a fleet of 5 triremes and 50 quinqueremes, of which only 32 were fully manned.
Commander in Spain
In Spain, Hasdrubal successfully restrained the Roman forces commanded by Gnaeus and Publius Cornelius Scipio for six years. Despite being caught off guard by Gnaeus Scipio's campaign in 218 BC, which prevented him from joining forces with Hanno, who commanded the Carthaginian forces north of the Ebro River, Hasdrubal was able to inflict significant damage on the Romans with his mobile units. In 217 BC, he launched an independent campaign against the Roman forces in the north but was forced to retreat without a battle upon learning of the Carthaginian fleet's defeat on the Ebro River. He achieved several victories against the Romans and suppressed the unrest of the Celtiberian tribes in 216 BC.
Attempted Campaign in Italy
In spring 215 BC, Hasdrubal attempted another campaign in Italy to support his brother. However, he was halted at Dertosa. In 212 BC, he was sent to Africa to suppress the Numidian uprising led by Syphax against Carthaginian supremacy. He returned to Spain with the new Numidian king Masinissa and 3,000 Numidian horsemen.
Defeat and Death
In 209 BC, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus captured New Carthage and then struck against Hasdrubal's forces in the Battle of Baecula. Although the Carthaginians suffered a defeat, Hasdrubal managed to withdraw over two-thirds of his army unharmed and, crossing the Pyrenees, safely retreated from Spain to Gaul by bribing local Gallic tribes. In 207 BC, Hasdrubal led reinforcements to aid Hannibal, crossing the Alps and entering Italy. However, he was unable to unite with his brother due to the arrival of Roman legions. In a major battle on the Metaurus River in northern Italy, he faced two Roman armies under the command of consuls Marcus Livius Salinator and Gaius Claudius Nero. During the battle, Hasdrubal was killed, his body decapitated, and his head sent to Hannibal. This action sharply contrasted with Hannibal's respectful treatment of the bodies of the slain consuls.
