Hasdrubal (Barcid)
Hasdrubal, Punic ' zrb'l ( My help is Baal ), ( † 207 BC) was a son of Hamilcar Barca and thus a brother of Hannibal and Mago. He is seen behind the winner of the Battle of Cannae as the most efficient of the Carthaginian generals in the Second Punic War. Hasdrubal was after his brother's departure for the expedition to Italy 218-208 BC in Hispania commander in the battle against the Romans.
Soon after taking office, Hasdrubal in Hispania units were defeated by the troops of the Roman general Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus in a naval battle on the Ebromündung in 217 BC. Shortly after Gnaeus Scipio met brother Publius Cornelius Scipio in Spain. Together, the brothers moved even 217 BC for the first time to the country over the Ebro, marched to Saguntum and there was the prisoner held by the Carthaginians Spanish hostages by treachery of a deserter free. 216 BC defeated the brothers Hasdrubal the Ebro, so that he therefore could not march with his army to Hannibal to Italy and Spain do not leave.
The Battle of Ibera 215 BC Hasdrubal saw again a loser. In Carthage they now feared for the possession of the lucrative Iberian colonies and around the cities of Pearl Carthago Nova ( New Carthage ). Because Hannibal parallel taking place war in Italy was very successful, Hasdrubal was on the issue of strengthening the Carthaginian armies gone much better. He was sent to the lion's share of hired mercenaries. Hannibal were given only 4,000 men, which indeed for continuing the war in Italy, but not sufficient for its profit. Hasdrubal appears to have anticipated this. But a first attempt to break through to Italy under tied the Scipio brothers. With its fresh forces Hasdrubal received in Hispania but regained the upper hand.
He was able to separate the two armies of the Scipios and defeat at the Battle of Castulo, today Cazlona, Publius Scipio and first days later at the Battle of Ilorci also Gnaeus Scipio. Both Scipios were in the struggles her life (211 BC). The bad news broke in Rome from general perplexity. No one wanted to have the command of the troops in Hispania until finally the eponymous son of Publius Cornelius Scipio expressed his interest.
The later Scipio the Elder called presented immediately after his arrival in Hispania new army units, and took in a coup the rich Carthago Nova, the largest Punic city in Europe, in the year 210 BC a. Hasdrubal had meanwhile engaged in the pacification of a Celtiberian tribe. The Barkide then advanced with his large army to the Ebro. The Romans managed to make the Carthaginians and their allies in Baecula, today Bailen. Hasdrubal left 208 BC after the battle of Baecula against the troops of Scipio the Elder the battlefield as a loser.
Hasdrubal was the fact in his intent to beat the Romans together with Hannibal's army, undeterred. After the defeat, he crossed with his remaining army happy the Pyrenees and the Alps, to supply Hannibal needed reinforcements. Messenger with news he unwisely sent his older brother were captured by the Romans. While Hannibal knew nothing of the march of his brother, the Roman army leaders could take measures for his arrival.
Before it could come to union with Hannibal's army, Hasdrubal lost in central Italy at the Battle of Metaurus, today Metauro River, against the legions under Marcus Livius Salinator and Gaius Claudius Nero victory and life 207 BC Hasdrubal was beheaded by the Romans. His bloody head Hannibal was thrown into the camp at Venusia, making its last hope was destroyed in a victory against the Romans.