Hamilcar Barca - Punic Politics

Punic Politics

The aristocratic party had dominated Carthaginian politics since 248 BC. Hanno the Great was aligned with them and they espoused peaceful relations with Rome, even at the cost of abandoning overseas territories. Their chose to minimize the Sicilian operations while Hamilcar was in command, reduce the navy and support Hanno the Great’s conquests in Africa, all of which were causes for the ultimate defeat of Carthage in the First Punic War. They had remained in power throughout the Mercenary War and had advocated Hanno’s position over Hamilcar’s more than once.

Their opponents probably had support of people who had wanted to continue the war even after defeat at Aegates Island. The Mercantile Class, whose interests were hurt by the war and would be marginalized by the abandonment of overseas operations, also supported this fraction. People disenfranchised by the ruin of the navy and disruption of trade might have thrown in their lot with this group and Hasdrubal the Fair emerged as the leader eventually. Hamilcar, furious that Sicily had been given up too soon while he had been undefeated, could rely on support from this party.

There is no clear record of the political activity in Carthage at this time. The political clout of the incumbent leaders was probably weakened by the defeat in the First Punic War, their mismanagement of the Mercenary troops and finally the Sardinia Affair. In an effort to reestablish their position, they decided to make a scapegoat of Hamilcar Barca.