Hanno I the Great ( xpu, 𐤇𐤍𐤀, ) was a
Carthaginian politician and military leader of the 4th century BC.
The Roman historian
Justin
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* Justin I (c. 450–527), or ''Flavius Iustinius Augustus'', Eastern Ro ...
calls him ''princeps Carthaginiensium'', prince of the Carthaginians. The title almost certainly signifies "
first among equals
''Primus inter pares'' is a Latin phrase meaning first among equals. It is typically used as an honorary title for someone who is formally equal to other members of their group but is accorded unofficial respect, traditionally owing to their se ...
", rather than noble or royal status. His rival, Suniatus, was called the ''potentissimus Poenorum'', or "the most powerful of the Carthaginians", in the year 368. Several years later, Suniatus was accused of high treason (for correspondence with
Syracuse
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) and probably executed.
In 367, Hanno the Great commanded a fleet of 200 ships which won a decisive naval victory over the
Greeks of Sicily. His victory effectively blocked the plans of
Dionysius I of Syracuse to attack
Lilybaeum
Marsala (, local ; la, Lilybaeum) is an Italian town located in the Province of Trapani in the westernmost part of Sicily. Marsala is the most populated town in its province and the fifth in Sicily.
The town is famous for the docking of Giu ...
, a city in western Sicily allied to Carthage.
For about twenty years, Hanno the Great was the leading figure of Carthage, and perhaps the wealthiest. In the 340s, he schemed to become the
tyrant
A tyrant (), in the modern English usage of the word, is an absolute ruler who is unrestrained by law, or one who has usurped a legitimate ruler's sovereignty. Often portrayed as cruel, tyrants may defend their positions by resorting to ...
. After distributing food to the populace, the time for a show of force came and he utilized for that purpose the native slaves and a
Berber
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* Ady Berber (1913–1 ...
chieftain. Although not a military threat to Carthage, Hanno was captured, found to be a traitor, and tortured to death. Many members of his family were also put to death.
Later, Hanno's son Gisgo was given the command of seventy ships of Carthage crewed by Greek mercenaries and sent to Lilybaeum, after which peace was negotiated by Carthage with
Timoleon
Timoleon (Greek: Τιμολέων), son of Timodemus, of Corinth (c. 411–337 BC) was a Greek statesman and general.
As a brilliant general, a champion of Greece against Carthage, and a fighter against despotism, he is closely connected ...
of Syracuse (c. 340). Thereafter, this family's prestige and influence at Carthage would tell in later generations. Hanno I was probably an ancestor of
Hanno II the Great.
[Cf, Warmington, ''Carthage'', 119.]
Notes
Bibliography
*
Charles-Picard, Gilbert;
Picard, Colette. ''Life and Death of Carthage''. Taplinger, 1968.
*Huss, Werner
''Geschichte der Karthager'' C.H. Beck, 1985. {{ISBN, 9783406306549
*Lancel, Serge. ''Carthage: A History''. Blackwell, 1995.
*Warmington, B. H. ''Carthage''. Robert Hale, 1960.
4th-century BC rulers
Monarchs of Carthage
Mercenary War
4th-century BC Punic people