Hannibal Gisco

Hannibal Gisco († 258 BC, Carthage ) was a Carthaginian commander of both the army and the fleet in the first Punic war.

About Giskos early life and career is unknown. In the sources he appears the first time as commanding general of the besieged garrison of the Romans in the Battle of Agrigentum in 261 BC. Despite the insistence that showed his men and he for months and despite of relief, the approach introduced Hanno, the city fell into Roman hands. Gisco managed to escape in the final stages of the battle to Carthage. Obviously not hurt this defeat, which is due to more Roman obstinacy as his inability to his career. The following year Gisco occurs again, now as Admiral of the Carthaginian fleet in the Straits of Messina. The Romans were preparing to launch their first fleet and had to be stopped. Gisco struck the consul Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio in the Battle of the Lipari Islands and let him capture by his sergeant Boodes, but this victory was meaningless (except for Scipio, who for this service the nickname " Asina " (donkey ) received ) because the mass of the Roman fleet continues maneuvered into the surrounding waters.

Later in the year 260 BC met Gisco on this very fleet and was the first Punic general who acquaintance with the Corvus, a device for boarding enemy ships, and made its deadly effect. Trusting in Carthage naval superiority Gisco continued his ships at the Battle of Mylae in the traditional line. With or without experience, the Romans under the consul Gaius Duilius the Carthaginian fleet beat crushing in mainly due to the use of the best on land fighting techniques in naval warfare. Gisco lost due to this defeat, the confidence of his political leadership and was dismissed from his position, but not punished. He should then defend Sardinia, but was defeated 258 BC the consul Gaius Sulpicius Paterculus at the Battle of sulci and was crucified by his disgruntled subordinates.