A rebel night raid during the Mercenary War captured and crucified Carthaginian commander Hannibal, temporarily breaking the siege of Tunis.
Key Facts
- Date
- October 238 BC
- Carthaginian notables captured
- 30 persons
- Rebel leaders tortured and crucified
- 10 persons
- Conflict
- Mercenary War
- Outcome
- Siege broken; rebels later destroyed at Leptis Parva
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After three years of the Mercenary War, Carthage defeated the rebel field army at the Battle of the Saw and captured its leaders. The remaining rebels under Mathos held Tunis as their strongest stronghold, prompting Hamilcar Barca and Hannibal to lay siege with forces split into northern and southern camps.
Mathos launched a surprise night attack on Hannibal's northern camp, catching the defenders unprepared and scattering them. Hannibal and 30 Carthaginian notables were captured, then tortured, mutilated, and crucified alive. Hamilcar consolidated the surviving half of his army to the north, effectively ending the siege.
Despite successfully breaking the Carthaginian siege, Mathos chose to abandon Tunis and withdraw southward. Hamilcar and fellow general Hanno pursued the retreating rebels and annihilated them in late 238 BC at the Battle of Leptis Parva, ending the Mercenary War.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hamilcar Barca, Hannibal (subordinate).
Side B
1 belligerent
Mathos.