Source edition
Cornelius Nepos. Cornelii Nepotis Vitae. Fleckeisen, Alfred; Halm, Karl, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1886.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This biographical work depicts the life and military achievements of the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca. The narrative begins with his remarkable defense of Sicily during the final stages of the First Punic War and his strategic decision to negotiate peace under pressure. Upon returning to Carthage, Hamilcar uses his exceptional leadership to suppress a dangerous mercenary rebellion and successfully restores peace to the state. He is subsequently granted command of an expedition to Hispania, taking his young son Hannibal with him, where he conquers vast territories and enriches Carthage. Although he falls in battle while planning an invasion of Italy, the work concludes by showing how his fierce hostility toward Rome was passed down to his son Hannibal, ultimately triggering the Second Punic War.