Mago Barca facts for kids

Mago Barca was a famous general from Carthage. He was part of the powerful Barcid family. Mago played a very important role in the Second Punic War. This was a huge war between Carthage and the Roman Republic.

Mago led Carthaginian armies in Spain and in northern and central Italy. He was the third son of Hamilcar Barca, another famous general. Mago was also the brother of Hannibal and Hasdrubal. Hannibal was one of the greatest military commanders in history. Mago died around 202 BC. We don't know much about his early life. He wasn't mentioned when his father was killed in 228 BC.

What's in a Name?

The name Mago was quite common among important Carthaginian families. It meant "Godsent."

His family name, or nickname, was Barca. This word means "thunderbolt" or "shining." It's similar to the Arabic name Barq. This name was also used for Mago's father, Hamilcar Barca. It helped tell Mago and his brothers apart from others with the same first name.

Fighting in Italy

Mago was one of the Carthaginian officers who went with Hannibal to Italy. Other important leaders included Maharbal and Hanno the Elder.

Mago fought alongside Hannibal when they invaded Italy. He was key in many battles. At the Battle of the Trebia, Mago led a group that surprised the Roman army. This attack helped break their battle lines. After this victory, Mago commanded the rear of the Carthaginian army. They marched south through swamps towards Latium.

In the famous Battle of Cannae, Mago and Hannibal stood together. They were with the Gallic infantry in the center of the army. This was the most important and dangerous spot in their battle plan.

After the great victory at Cannae, Hannibal sent Mago to southern Italy. Mago took control of several towns there. He also convinced many towns to join Carthage. From southern Italy, Mago sailed to Carthage. He left Hanno the Elder in charge of the army there.

Mago showed the Carthaginian Senate golden rings from Roman knights. These knights had fallen at Cannae. He asked for more soldiers for Hannibal. This made Hannibal's supporters happy. But Hanno the Great, a leader against Hannibal, asked Mago many tough questions. Still, the Senate was impressed. They voted to send 4,000 Numidian cavalry and 40 war elephants to Italy. Mago was also told to gather 20,000 foot soldiers and 4,000 cavalry from Spain for Hannibal.

However, bad news arrived from Spain. The Carthaginians had lost a big battle there. So, Mago and his army were sent to Hispania (Spain) instead. They were meant to help Hasdrubal. But Carthage did send some help to Italy. Four thousand Numidian cavalry and 40 war elephants went to southern Italy. These were the only major reinforcements Hannibal ever received from his government.

Battles in Spain

Hasdrubal was the main commander in Spain. But Mago also had his own command. This split leadership later caused problems. Mago and Hasdrubal, with Hasdrubal Gisco, fought the Romans from 215 to 212 BC. The Roman army was led by the Scipio brothers.

In 214 BC, Mago's cavalry ambushed a Roman force. He killed 2,000 Romans near Akra Leuke. He also helped keep Spanish tribes loyal to Carthage. Overall, the Carthaginians held their ground in Spain. But they couldn't send any help to Hannibal in Italy.

In 212 BC, Hasdrubal even went to Africa. He crushed a rebellion by Syphax, a Numidian king. Mago and Hasdrubal Gisco protected Carthaginian lands in Spain. They did this even though the Scipios had more soldiers.

The Scipio brothers launched a big attack in 211 BC. The Carthaginian armies were spread out. Hasdrubal Gisco was near Gades (modern Cádiz) with 10,000 troops. Mago was near Castulo with another 10,000. Hasdrubal was near Amtorgis with 15,000 soldiers. The Scipios planned to attack all three armies at once.

The Carthaginian armies worked together well. They defeated and killed both Scipio brothers. Most of the Roman forces in Spain were destroyed. This happened in just 23 days. Mago, helped by Indibilis and Masinissa, defeated and killed Publius Scipio. Then, with combined armies, he joined Hasdrubal to defeat and kill Gnaeus Scipio.

However, the Carthaginians didn't work together well after the battles. About 8,000 Roman survivors escaped north of the Ebro river. These Romans stopped Carthaginian attacks twice. They also received 20,000 more troops from Italy in 210 BC.

Publius Cornelius Scipio the Younger took advantage of the Carthaginian generals' lack of teamwork. Their armies were also spread out. Scipio captured Cartagena in a bold attack in 209 BC. Mago and his army were only three days' march away at the time. After this, the Carthaginians moved their main base to Gades.

In 208 BC, after the Battle of Baecula, Hasdrubal left Spain. He went to Italy to help his brother Hannibal. Mago moved his army to recruit Spanish mercenaries. He was with a new general named Hanno. They gathered many Spanish fighters. But they split their army into two camps and were not careful. A Roman force surprised and scattered their army in 207 BC. Hanno was captured. Mago managed to escape with a few thousand survivors to Gades. There, he joined forces with Hasdrubal Gisco. The Carthaginians then spread their army out. They focused on recruiting new mercenaries. This stopped Scipio from forcing a big battle that year.

Mago shared command of the new army. He attacked the Roman army with his cavalry. But Scipio Africanus had kept his cavalry hidden outside camp. This led to Mago's raid being defeated.

After losing the Battle of Ilipa in 206 BC, Hasdrubal Gisco went back to Africa. Mago retreated to Gades with what was left of his army. His second-in-command, another Hanno, was defeated by L. Marcius. Mago couldn't use the rebellion of Spanish tribes or the mutiny of Roman troops. He attacked Cartagena, thinking it was lightly guarded. But he was pushed back with heavy losses. When he returned, the gates of Gades were closed to him. After punishing the city leaders, he sailed away to the Balearic Islands.

Last Expedition to Italy

Mago then led a new plan to invade Italy by sea. This was in early summer 205 BC. He had 15,000 men. His army sailed from Menorca to Liguria with 30 Carthaginian warships. Mago captured Genoa. He controlled northern Italy for almost three years. He fought with mountain tribes and gathered more soldiers. The Romans used seven legions to watch him. But no major battle was fought. In 204 BC, Mago received 6,000 more foot soldiers and some cavalry from Carthage. The Romans avoided a big fight. They blocked Mago, stopping him from reaching Hannibal.

Finally, the Romans fought him in Cisalpine Gaul. The Battle of Insubria was a Roman victory, but not a clear one. Mago was badly wounded. Soon after the battle, he was called back to Carthage. Hannibal was also called back. They were needed to defend Carthage. Scipio Africanus had defeated Carthaginian armies in Africa. He had also captured Syphax, a king allied to Carthage.

Mago and his army sailed from Italy in 202 BC. The Roman navy did not bother them as they headed for Africa. But Mago died from his wound at sea before reaching Carthage.

Some historians, like Cornelius Nepos, say Mago survived the war. They say he stayed with Hannibal for several years. But most historians believe Livy's version, that Mago died at sea.

Mago was a skilled commander. His actions at Trebia and Cannae were very important. He was also good at leading cavalry. He often ambushed the Romans in Spain and Italy.

Mago's Legacy

The Port of Mahón in the Balearic Islands is said to have been founded by Mago. It still carries his name. The popular egg sauce called mayonnaise is also named after this city.

Mago in Books

• Pride of Carthage by David Anthony Durham