Hamilcar facts for kids
Hamilcar was a popular boy's name in ancient Carthage. The name meant "Melqart is Gracious," with Melqart being an important god for the Carthaginians. It was a very common name, especially among the powerful families who ruled Carthage.
Many important people from ancient Carthage were named Hamilcar. Here are some of them:
Famous People Named Hamilcar
Hamilcar the Magonid
Hamilcar the Magonid was a very early leader, sometimes called a "King" of Carthage. He led the Carthaginian army in a major battle called the Battle of Himera in 480 BC. This battle happened during the First Sicilian War, a conflict over control of the island of Sicily.
Hamilcar, General Against Timoleon
Another Hamilcar was a general who fought against Timoleon. Timoleon was a leader from Syracuse, a powerful city in Sicily.
Hamilcar, Brother of Gisco
There was also a Hamilcar who was the brother of a man named Gisco. This Hamilcar was killed in the middle of the 3rd century BC.
Hamilcar the Rhodian
Hamilcar the Rhodian might have been a spy for Carthage. He was thought to be secretly working in the group of Alexander the Great, a famous Greek king. When he returned to Carthage, he was killed.
Hamilcar, Son of Gisgo
This Hamilcar was the son of Gisgo and the grandson of Hanno the Great. He led a military campaign against Agathocles, another ruler from Syracuse, during the Third Sicilian War. Hamilcar defeated Agathocles in the Battle of the Himera River in 311 BC. Later, he was captured during the Siege of Syracuse and died in 309 BC.
Hamilcar, First Punic War General
Another Hamilcar was a general who fought in Sicily and Africa between 261 and 255 BC. This was during the First Punic War, a long and important war between Carthage and Rome.
Hamilcar of Drepanum
Hamilcar was a Carthaginian commander known for a great victory. He won the Battle of Drepanum in 249 BC, which was also during the First Punic War.
Hamilcar Barca
Hamilcar Barca (around 270–228 BC) was a very famous Carthaginian general. He played a key role during and after the First Punic War. His son was Hannibal, who became even more famous for his amazing military actions during the Second Punic War, including crossing the Alps with elephants.
Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
More recently, Hamilcar Rashed Jr. (born in 1998) is an American football player. This shows how ancient names can still be used today!
Hamilcar in Other Cultures
The name Hamilcar also appeared in different forms in other cultures:
- The Italian name Amilcare was used by famous people like the dictator Benito Mussolini and the composer Amilcare Ponchielli.
- The Portuguese name Amílcar was one of the names of Amílcar Cabral, an important African revolutionary leader.
See also
- General Aircraft Hamilcar — a large glider used during World War II.
- Amilcar — a type of French car made in the 1920s and 1930s.
- Amílcar Cabral — a leader who fought for independence in Africa.
- Amilcare Cipriani — an Italian anarchist.
- Amilcare Ponchielli — a famous Italian composer.
- Amilcar Hasenfratz — a pen name used by Frédéric Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.
