A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

12. An officer in the army of Hannibal, in Italy, during the second Punic war. In 215 he was detached, together with Hanno, into Bruttium, where he succeeded in reducing the important town of Locri. (Liv. 24.1.) He appears to have been appointed governor of his new conquest, which he held with a Carthaginian garrison till the year 205, when the citadel was surprised by Q. Pleminius. Hamilcar still held out in another fort that commanded the town, and Hannibal himself advanced to his relief, but the unexpected arrival of Scipio disconcerted his plans, and he was compelled to abandon Locri to its fate. Hamilcar made his escape in the night, with the remains of his garrison. According to the Roman historians, his conduct during the period he had held the command at Locri was marked by every species of cruelty and extortion, which were however, according to their own admission, far exceeded by those of his Roman successor. (Liv. 29.6-8, 17.)