Returning to the narrative, Hamilcar Barca, continuing his campaigns into the Spanish interior, died suddenly battling against hostile tribes in 228 BC. With Hamilcar's eldest son, the famous Hannibal, still in his teens, Hamilcar's son-in-law, Hasdrubal the Fair, succeeded the great Barcid leader in Spain. Charming, sophisticated, and diplomatic, Hasdrubal consolidated Hamilcar's foothold in southern Spain by a series of treaties, guest-friendships, and political marriages along with occasional judicious campaigns. His newly-established capital, New Carthage, quickly grew to be one of the greatest cities of the burgeoning Carthaginian empire due to its natural harbor and ready access to the markets of Spain and North Africa. By the time of Hasdrubal's own death in 221 BC, the Carthaginian army and cities in Spain had been forged into a formidable power base which would serve the young Hannibal well in the trials to come.
Recommended further reading:
A Companion to the Punic Wars (Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World) Edited by Dexter Hoyos
Carthage Must Be Destroyed by Richard Miles
Implacable Enemies: The Barcid Armies at War by Karwansary Publishers
Clash of the Colossi: The First Punic War by Karwansary Publishers
Link to the Episode 33 page on the Layman's Historian website
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Episode 52 - The Fall of Carthage
Episode 51 - Carthago Delenda Est
Episode 50 - End of an Era
Episode 49 -Zama: Battle of Giants
Episode 48 - End of the Road
Episode 47- Last Gasp at the Metaurus
Episode 46 - No Easy Way Out
Episode 45 - The Mediterranean on Fire: Sicily
Episode 44 - The Mediterranean on Fire: Spain
Episode 43 - Capua: Hannibal's Albatross
Episode 42 - The Day After Cannae
Episode 41 - Cannae: Rome's Darkest Day
Episode 40 - The Delayer: Part II
Episode 39 - The Delayer: Part I
Episode 38 - The Dark Waters of Trasimene
Episode 37 - First Blood
Episode 36 - Making a Way
Episode 35 - Into Gaul
Episode 34 - The Die is Cast
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