Following Hasdrubal son of Gisco — the Second Punic War

Hasdrubal son of Gisco (d. c. 203 BC), Carthage. The non-Barcid general of Spain and Africa: co-victor over the Scipio brothers, loser at Ilipa, father of Sophonisba, and the man who married Syphax to Carthage.

Blamed for the Great Plains, condemned by the mob; Appian says he took poison in Carthage.

Died July 203 BC. Appian, Punica 38: took poison in his own house, c. 203. Livy is silent; date approximate.

The itinerary — 12 stops, Spring 214 BC to Summer 203 BC

  1. New Carthage — Spring 214 BC: A third Punic army arrives in Spain. (Livy 24.41)
  2. The Upper Baetis, from Castulo — Summer 214 BC (Livy 24.41–42; 25.32–34)
  3. Ilorci — Summer 211 BC (Livy 25.36)
  4. The Tagus mouth, Lusitania — Summer 211 BC: Far in the west when Scipio takes New Carthage. (Polybius 10.7)
  5. Gades — Summer 208 BC: Raises the great army of 206 from the Celtiberian levies. (Livy 27.20; 28.1–2)
  6. Ilipa — Spring 206 BC (Livy 28.12–16; Polybius 11.20–24)
  7. Gades — Summer 206 BC: Escapes the rout to Gades by ship. (Livy 28.16)
  8. Siga — Summer 206 BC: Dines with Scipio at Syphax’s table — the two enemies on one couch. (Livy 28.17–18)
  9. Carthage — Summer 206 BC: Gives his daughter Sophonisba to Syphax and binds him to Carthage. (Livy 29.23)
  10. The camps before Utica — Summer 204 BC: Thirty thousand foot beside Syphax’s fifty; the winter camps of reeds and thatch. (Livy 29.35; 30.3–6)
  11. The Great Plains — Spring 203 BC (Livy 30.8; Polybius 14.8)
  12. Carthage — Spring 203 BC: Recalled, replaced by Hanno; the last chapter is Appian’s alone. (Livy 30.16; Appian, Punica 38)

Battles fought

  • Battles of the Upper Baetis — Spring 211 BC — victory
  • Battle of Ilipa — Spring 206 BC — defeat
  • Burning of the Camps — Spring 203 BC — defeat
  • Battle of the Great Plains — Spring 203 BC — defeat