Hamilcar Barca's victory on the Bagradas River broke the rebel blockade of Carthage and turned the tide of the Mercenary War in Carthage's favor.
Key Facts
- Date
- 240 BC
- War
- Mercenary War
- River
- Bagradas (modern Medjerda River)
- Carthaginian commander
- Hamilcar Barca
- Rebel commander
- Spendius
- Outcome
- Decisive Carthaginian victory; rebels routed
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the First Punic War, mercenary soldiers and rebellious African cities formed a coalition that blockaded Carthage and besieged the northern ports of Utica and Hippo. A prior Carthaginian relief attempt under Hanno had failed, forcing Carthage to assemble a second army under Hamilcar Barca to break the rebel stranglehold.
Hamilcar's army crossed the Bagradas River at its mouth to evade the blockade, drawing rebel forces from both the Utica siege and the bridge camp. Hamilcar ordered a feigned retreat; the rebels broke ranks in pursuit and fell into disorder. The Carthaginians turned, counter-charged, and routed the rebels, capturing their fortifications at the bridge.
The victory restored Carthaginian operational freedom, allowing Hamilcar to reclaim towns that had defected to the rebels. Spendius regrouped in the northwest Tunisian mountains but was defeated again. Reprisals on both sides grew brutal, with prisoners tortured or trampled by elephants. The war finally ended with the rebel defeat at the Battle of Leptis Parva.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hamilcar Barca, Hanno.
Side B
1 belligerent
Spendius.