Editing Punic Wars (section)

===Carthaginian expansion in Iberia===
[[File:Carthage, quarter shekel, 237-209 BC, SNG BM Spain 102.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|alt=Image of both sides of a coin: one depicting a man's head; the other an elephant|{{center|A [[Carthaginian currency|Carthaginian]] quarter-[[shekel]], dated 237–209{{spaces}}BC, depicting the Punic god [[Melqart]] (who was associated with [[Hercules]]/[[Heracles]]). On the reverse is an elephant; possibly a [[war elephant]], which were linked with the [[Barcids]].{{sfn|Miles|2011|pp=226–227}}}}]]
{{Main|Barcid conquest of Hispania}}
With the suppression of the rebellion, Hamilcar understood that Carthage needed to strengthen its economic and military base if it were to again confront Rome.{{sfn|Hoyos|2015|p=77}} After the First Punic War, Carthaginian possessions in Iberia were limited to a handful of prosperous coastal cities in the south.{{sfn|Hoyos|2015|p=80}} Hamilcar took the army which he had led in the Mercenary War to Iberia in 237{{spaces}}BC and carved out a [[Carthaginian Iberia|quasi-monarchicial, autonomous state]] in its south east.{{sfn|Miles|2011|p=220}} This gave Carthage the silver mines, agricultural wealth, [[manpower]], military facilities such as [[shipyard]]s and territorial depth to stand up to future Roman demands with confidence.{{sfn|Miles|2011|pp=219–220, 225}}{{sfn|Eckstein|2006|pp=173–174}} Hamilcar ruled as a [[viceroy]] and was succeeded by his son-in-law, [[Hasdrubal the Fair|Hasdrubal]], in the early 220s{{spaces}}BC and then his son, [[Hannibal]], in 221{{spaces}}BC.{{sfn|Miles|2011|pp=222, 225}} In 226{{spaces}}BC the [[Ebro Treaty]] was agreed with Rome, specifying the [[Ebro River]] as the northern boundary of the Carthaginian [[sphere of influence]].{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|pp=143–144}} At some time during the next six years Rome made a separate agreement with the city of [[Saguntum]], which was situated well south of the Ebro.{{sfn|Goldsworthy|2006|p=144}}