Battle of the Bagradas River (239 BC)
Encyclopedia
The Battle of the Bagradas River was a battle in 239 BC
(or possibly 240 BC) between Hamilcar Barca
of Carthage
and rebel mercenaries and Libyans. It marked Carthage's first major victory in the Mercenary War
. For the battle fought in 255 BC
during the First Punic War
, see Battle of Tunis
.
Hamilcar Barca was called out of retirement
to replace Hanno the Great
, following his embarrassing defeat at Utica
. Intent on retaking the town, Hamilcar began moving his troops across the beach where they were quickly surrounded by a horde of insurgents from the city, as well as professional soldiers from a nearby castle they were passing. Charging his war elephant
s around the insurgent horde, Hamilcar was able to reach a nearly undefended Utica.
239 BC
Year 239 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Turrinus and Falto...
(or possibly 240 BC) between Hamilcar Barca
Hamilcar Barca
Hamilcar Barca or Barcas was a Carthaginian general and statesman, leader of the Barcid family, and father of Hannibal, Hasdrubal and Mago. He was also father-in-law to Hasdrubal the Fair....
of Carthage
Carthage
Carthage , implying it was a 'new Tyre') is a major urban centre that has existed for nearly 3,000 years on the Gulf of Tunis, developing from a Phoenician colony of the 1st millennium BC...
and rebel mercenaries and Libyans. It marked Carthage's first major victory in the Mercenary War
Mercenary War
The Mercenary War — also called the Libyan War and the Truceless War by Polybius — was an uprising of mercenary armies formerly employed by Carthage, backed by Libyan settlements revolting against Carthaginian control....
. For the battle fought in 255 BC
255 BC
Year 255 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Nobilior and Paullus...
during the First Punic War
First Punic War
The First Punic War was the first of three wars fought between Ancient Carthage and the Roman Republic. For 23 years, the two powers struggled for supremacy in the western Mediterranean Sea, primarily on the Mediterranean island of Sicily and its surrounding waters but also to a lesser extent in...
, see Battle of Tunis
Battle of Tunis
The Battle of Tunis, also known as the Battle of Bagrades, between the Roman Republic and Carthage occurred in the spring of 255 BC during the First Punic War. The battle ended in a decisive Carthaginian victory.-Prelude:...
.
Hamilcar Barca was called out of retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
to replace Hanno the Great
Hanno the Great
There were three leaders of ancient Carthage who were known as Hanno the Great, according to two historians . These figures they call for convenience: Hanno I the Great, Hanno II the Great, and Hanno III the Great...
, following his embarrassing defeat at Utica
Utica, Tunisia
Utica is an ancient city northwest of Carthage near the outflow of the Medjerda River into the Mediterranean Sea, traditionally considered to be the first colony founded by the Phoenicians in North Africa...
. Intent on retaking the town, Hamilcar began moving his troops across the beach where they were quickly surrounded by a horde of insurgents from the city, as well as professional soldiers from a nearby castle they were passing. Charging his war elephant
War elephant
A war elephant was an elephant trained and guided by humans for combat. Their main use was to charge the enemy, trampling them and breaking their ranks. A division of war elephants is known as elephantry....
s around the insurgent horde, Hamilcar was able to reach a nearly undefended Utica.