Mago Barca
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Mago Barca (also spelled Magon) (243 BC - 203 BC), was a member of the Barcid family, and played a major role in the Second Punic War leading forces of Carthage against the Roman Republic.
Mago has been largely eclipsed by his elder brothers, the famous Hannibal, and to a less extent his brother Hasdrubal as well, nevertheless he also was a great general. Mago fought at the side of Hannibal in the invasion of Italy, and played a key role in many battles. At the Battle of the Trebia he commanded the detachment that ambushed the Romans, breaking down their battle array. In the Battle of Cannae, Mago and Hannibal took position with the Galic infantry at the center, in the most vulnerable and crucial position of the formation.
After the victory of Cannae, Hannibal sent Mago with a detachment to Bruttium, from where he sailed to Carthage, leaving Hanno the Elder in command in Bruttium. Mago presented the golden rings of Roman equites fallen in Cannae to the Carthaginian Senate. This prompted the supporters of the Barcid party to taunt their opponents. In response, Hanno the Great, leading opponent of the Barcids, placed several questions which took the gloss off Mago's presentation. Still, the Senate voted to raise an army of 12,000 infantry, 1,500 cavalry and 20 elephants as reinforcements for Hannibal. However, when the news of the disastrous Battle of Dertosa reached Carthage, Mago and his army were sent to Hispania as reinforcements for Hasdrubal Barca.
Mago retained independent command of a part of Carthaginian forces in Hispania. The Barca brothers, aided by Hasdrubal Gisco battled the Romans under the command of the brothers Scipio throughout 215-212 BC. Mago, in a cavalry ambush of Publius Scipio, killed 2,000 Romans near Acre Luce in 214 BC, and he also aided in keeping the Spanish tribes loyal. In 211 BC, the coordination of the Carthaginian armies were crucial in defeating and killing the Scipio brothers and destroying the majority of the Roman forces. However, lack of coordination led to Publius Cornelius Scipio taking Cartagena in a daring expidition in 209 BC. Mago and his army was 3 days march from Cartagena at that time.
In 208 BC Hasdrubal Barca left Spain to invade Italy to bring reinforcements for his brother Hannibal. Mago moved with his army to the area between Tagus and Duro rivers in a recruiting mission with Hanno, a newly arrived general. This army was surprised and scattered by Romans forces commanded by Marcus Silanus in 207 BC. After a defeat at Ilipa in 206 BC, Hasdrubal Gisco returned to Africa and Mago retreated to Gades (modern Cádiz). His deputy, another Hanno, was defeated by L. Marcius, and Mago was unable to take advantage of the rebellion of Spanish tribes under Indibilis or the mutiny of the Roman troops in 205 BC. He led a raid on Cartagena, believing the city to be lightly held, and suffered severe losses. Upon returning, he found the gates of Gades barred, and sailed away to the Balearic Islands. The Port of Mahon still bears his name.
He then led a campaign to invade Italy (this time by sea) with 15,000 men in 205 BC. They sailed from Minorca to Liguria. He managed to capture Genoa, and held control of Northern Italy for three years. In 204 BC he was reinforced with 6,000 infantry and some cavalry.
Wounded in a battle in Cisalpine Gaul, he was recalled back to Carthage along with Hannibal to aid in its defence. Before arriving, however, he died at sea.
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