Editing Hamilcar Barca (section)

==Hamilcar supreme in Carthage==
Hamilcar Barca was blamed by the Carthaginian Leaders for causing the Mercenary War by making unrealistic promises to his soldiers, especially the [[Celts]], during his command in Sicily.<ref>Appian Iberia 4</ref> This event may have taken place as early as 241 BC or more likely in 237 BC.<ref>Lancel, Serge, Hannibal, p. 28</ref> The influence Hamilcar enjoyed among the people and the opposition party enabled him to avoid standing trial. Furthermore, Hamilcar allied with [[Hasdrubal the Fair]],<ref>Cornelius Nepos, Hamilcar III.2</ref> his future son in law, to restrict the power of the aristocracy, which was led by [[Hanno II the Great|Hanno the Great]],<ref>Livy 21.3.1.4</ref> as well as gain immunity from prosecution. Hamilcar's faction gained enough clout, if not supreme power in Carthage, for Hamilcar to implement his next agenda. Hamilcar's first priority, probably, was to ensure that the war indemnity was paid regularly so the Romans had no excuse to interfere in Carthaginian affairs. His second was to implement his strategy for preparing Carthage for any future conflict with Rome,<ref>Bagnall, Nigel, ''The Punic Wars'', p. 142</ref> or enable Carthage to defend itself against any aggression.<ref>Goldsworthy, Adrian, ''The Fall of Carthage'', p. 148</ref>

===Operations in North Africa===
Hamilcar obtained permission from the Carthaginian Senate for recruiting and training a new army, with the immediate goal of securing the African domain of Carthage. As this was in line with the goal of the "Peace Party" of Hanno the Great, probably no serious opposition was offered. Training for the army was obtained in some [[Numidia]]n forays, then Hamilcar marched the army westwards to the [[Pillars of Hercules]]. Hasdrubal the Fair commanded the fleet<ref>Polybius 2.1.9</ref> carrying supplies and elephants along the coast, keeping pace with the army.

Hamilcar, on his own responsibility and without the consent of the Carthaginian government,<ref>Appian Hamilcar 7.2, 6.5, Zonaras 8.17</ref> ferried the army across to [[Cádiz|Gades]] to start an expedition into [[Hispania]] (236 BC), where he hoped to gain a new empire to compensate Carthage for the loss of Sicily and [[Sardinia]].{{sfn|Caspari|1911|p=877}} Iberia would also serve as a base for any future conflicts against the Romans which would be independent of political interference from Carthage, and the campaigns would enhance the reputation of Hamilcar Barca.<ref>Miles, Richard, ''Carthage Must be Destroyed'', p. 198, {{ISBN|978-0-141-01809-6}}</ref> Hamilcar's political clout in Carthage may have been enough to stifle any opposition in Carthage against his Iberian venture,<ref>Diodorus Siculus 25.10</ref> or he did face stiff opposition and had used the booty from his Iberian campaigns to buy his way out. Whatever the case, Hamilcar enjoyed uninterrupted command in Iberia during his stay there.