Hamilcar Barca (died 229 BC)

Carthaginian general, the father of Hannibal the Great. Hamilcar rose to prominence in 249 BC at the first Battle of Eryx, during the later stages of the First Punic War. He negotiated the peace treaty with the Carthaginians at the end of the war in 241 BC, and suppressed the revolt of Carthage's foreign troops, the Mercenary War (241–237 BC). He then campaigned in Spain until his death, substantially enlarging and enriching the Carthaginian Empire.

Despite a long-running feud with his political rival Hanno the Great, Hamilcar masterminded the Barcid domination of Carthaginian foreign policy through a marriage alliance with Hasdrubal and successes in Africa and Spain. Using both military genius and diplomatic skill, he conquered the Iberian tribes of southern Spain but was killed in battle against the Oretani. His three sons, Hannibal, Hasdrubal Barca, and Mago Barca, inherited his hatred of Rome.