What is hasdrubal?

Hasdrubal is a name shared by several historical figures from Carthage. The most famous among them is Hasdrubal Barca, who was a general and statesman of Carthaginian origin. He was the brother of the famous Carthaginian general, Hannibal Barca, and was instrumental in the Punic Wars fought between Carthage and Rome.

Hasdrubal Barca was born in 245 BC and was the son of the Carthaginian general, Hamilcar Barca. He was brought up in an environment of military training and was appointed as the governor of Hispania after his brother Hannibal left for Italy to fight the Romans. During his tenure as the governor, Hasdrubal Barca strengthened Carthaginian military power in the region and even founded the city of Cartagena.

In 218 BC, after Hannibal's disastrous defeat at the Battle of Cannae, Hasdrubal Barca marched with his army from Hispania to join his brother in Italy. However, he was intercepted by the Roman army and was killed in the ensuing Battle of the Metaurus.

Apart from Hasdrubal Barca, there were several other historical figures from Carthage who bore the name Hasdrubal. These include Hasdrubal the Fair, who was a rival of Hannibal during the Second Punic War, and Hasdrubal Gisco, who was a general of Carthage during the First Punic War.