Mago (Barcid)

Mago († 203 BC ) was a Carthaginian general in the Second Punic War, a son of Hamilcar Barca ' and the youngest brother of Hannibal.

He took to the year 216 BC part in the campaign of his brother Hannibal in Italy. After the battle of Cannae, he brought the message of victory to Carthage and then went to Spain, where he fought with his other brother Hasdrubal against the Romans. 211 BC, he struck him with the Roman general Publius Scipio and Gnaeus.

After the departure of Hasdrubal into Italy he was promoted to commander of the Carthaginian forces in Spain. Of the legions under the command of Publius Scipio the younger, later Scipio Africanus, Mago was defeated 206 BC at Ilipa together with his general Hasdrubal and the at that time still with Carthage in league standing ostnumidischen King Masinissa. The latter retired after his remaining units to Africa.

About Gades (Cádiz ) and after wintering on the island of Menorca drove Mago 205 BC to Liguria in order to record the fight against the Romans. According to legend, capital of Menorca Mahon owes ( Castilian Mahon ) this stay her name.

With a cease-fire 203 shortly before the end of the war, he received orders to return to Carthage; he died on the way to Africa from a wound.