v59_0193 - SPAGNA - HISPANO-PUNICHE - CARTHAGO NOVA Demi-shekel

SPAIN - HISPANON-PUNICA - CATHAGO NOVO

(3rd century BC)

Spain (Hispania) had long been in the Carthaginian sphere. But it is necessary to wait for the beginning of the first Punic war (264-241 before J. -VS. ) to see military officials take an interest in this new geographical space. At the end of the First Punic War after the loss of Corsica and Sardinia, the Carthaginians landed at Gades in 237 BC. -VS. and set out to conquer Hispania. In nine years, Hannibal's father, Hamilcar Barca succeeded in this mission and conquered the south and the peninsula. His successor, Hadrusbal founded in 229-228 BC. -VS. Qart Hadasht (Carthago Nova or Cartagena). In 221, Hannibal who had an impregnable hatred for the Romans succeeded Hadrusbal in Spain and decided to continue the conquest of Spain. The siege and capture of Sagunto in 218 BC. -VS. was the trigger for the Second Punic War. Hannibal crosses with his elephants the Ebro, the Pyrenees, then the Alps before conquering Italy. The Carthaginians were initially victorious on all fronts. In Spain they got rid of Scipio's father and uncle in 211 BC. -VS. Less than two years later, in 209 BC. -VS. , Scipio annihilated the Carthaginian power and seized Carthago Nova.