
Hanno, son of Bomilcar was a Carthaginian general during the Second Punic War.
Biography[]
Hanno was born in Carthage, the maternal nephew of Hannibal. He served as an officer in Hannibal's army during the Second Punic War, leading a surprise attack on the Roman-allied Gauls at the Battle of Rhone Crossing during Hannibal's march through southern Gaul in 218 BC, and leading the Numidian cavalry on the right side of the Carthaginian army at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC (taking part in the decisive attack on the Roman rear). While Mago Barca was sent to Carthage to ask for reinforcements, Hanno assumed command of his army, subduing pro-Roman towns in Bruttium. He was defeated by the Roman general Tiberius Sempronius Longus at the Battle of Grumentum, forcing him to retreat in 215 BC, but he received reinforcements shortly after. He captured Crotona that same year, and he marched to join Hannibal in Campania in 214 BC. However, his army was routed at Beneventum; in 213 BC, he redeemed himself by defeating the Lucanians in Bruttium. In 212 BC, he unsuccessfully defended Capua against Fabius Cunctator, and, after the defeat of Hasdrubal Gisgo, he was given command of the land armies in Carthage, only to be replaced by Hannibal himself.