The year was 234 B.C. After the first Punic War, Carthage, Africa had lost a great deal of its northern trading ports to Rome, Italy. The port provinces were Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia. For military and economical survival, the Carthaginian senate had chosen to send Hamilcar Barca to Spain to defend against continued Roman aggression. Spain was very important to both Cartage and Rome. This territory had the  richest silver mines in the world.

The city of Cartage, located in north Africa, in the country of Tunisia, was by no means a poor man's town. Due to its rich Phoenician trade, Cartage had acquired a wealth far greater than any other colony in that part of the world. Stone bridges, outdoor cafes and cultivated date and palm trees were all common sobrieties of Cartage.

Many Carthaginian citizens were allowed to prosper from its merchant's trading wealth. Street side fruit stands and fabric trading shops lined many of Cartage's urban streets. Schools and advanced Universities were also part of Carthaginian life. Many of its citizens were well learned in politics, music, poetry, religion, botany, zoology, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, law, anatomy, geometry and astrology.

As the August sun over the city burned with an immense intensity, the sweltering, midday heat brought life to a crawl inside this kingdom by the sea. In contrast to the slow paced rhythmic movement, the east side of the city was alive with the clamor of arguing senators inside the domed senate building. The gyrations and the physical movements of the senators suggested that there was a passionate debate on an issue of great importance.

"I say we go to war, take back Sicily and cancel the war indemnity payments," shouted a Carthaginian senator. "We are just as powerful as Rome, if not more!"

"We established those trading ports hundreds of years ago," shouted another senator. "Rome has always been envious of our wealth!”

"This is barbaric," shouted another senator. "We must stop Roman aggression or they'll be here in Cartage next!"

A loud blast from the senate trumpeter interrupted the chamber debate.

"All rise for his majesty, the King," announced the bailiff.

All members present rose to their feet as the Carthaginian King made his entrance into the chamber. He was escorted by two muscular guards. The guards’ towering appearance, with their sculptured, coal-black bodies, signaled bad news to any would-be dissident.

The King possessed an air of surefooted nobility. His purple garment, engraved with gold trim, hung loosely and billowed behind him like the sails of a ship as he strode majestically toward his seat of honor. After he took his seat at his throne, he signaled to the bailiff with a nod of his head.

"You all may be seated," the bailiff said to the senators. He then unrolled a scroll and read it before the King. "Your majesty, this senate has before you today a second declaration of war against Rome. The objective of this war is to take back the provinces of Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia and place them back into African domain."

"It is my understanding that neither our military nor our economy has fully recovered from the first war," said the King. "Furthermore, according to our crop forecaster, our autumn harvests are going to be extremely low for the next two years. How do we feed and finance such a campaign?"

"We go and take Spain," announced Hamilcar Barca as he took center stage on the senate floor.

"Why Spain?" Asked the King.

"Because Spain has the richest silver mines in the world," answered Hamilcar Barca. "I've calculated that after three years of successful mining, we can easily make enough swords, shields and breast plates to equip fifty thousand men for battle."

"And what about our war agreement with Rome?" Asked the King.

Hamilcar Barca folded his arms and answered with confidence, "The Romans wouldn't dare fight us in Spain. The bulk of their army and navy is protecting the islands and their portion of the purple dye trade routes. Furthermore, Spain has the best autumn harvest in this part of the world. Our slaves, who would be mining the silver mines, would remain healthy well into the early part of the spring. The logistics are perfect."

"I don't think that this is a good idea," responded a standing senate member. "I say let Romans be Romans and Carthaginians be Carthaginians. As long as Rome stays on their side of the Mediterranean, I vote that we leave the war issue alone and keep current on our war payments."

Hamilcar Barca turned toward the standing senate member and said, "Massinissa, isn't it true that you are the wealthiest slave trader in all of Africa?"

"Yes," he answered proudly.

"And isn't it also true that you have a secret trade agreement with the Romans?"

Sheik Massinissa didn't answer. He just stared dumbly at Barca.

"Well?" Barca demanded.

"Yes, but only in return for Roman silver and robe wear," concluded Sheik Massinissa.

Barca turned back toward the King and said, "I vote that before we go to war against the Romans, we take a permanent interest in Spain's mineral rich fields and afterward, we march in and burn Rome."

Cheers rang throughout the senate chamber. Barca was honored with a standing ovation.

"Silence in the chamber," ordered the bailiff. "Silence in the chamber!"

"Senators, let us put this issue to vote," said the King. "All those in favor of Cartage taking Spain, raise your hand."

The majority of the senators voted in favor of war.

"All of those opposed?  Asked the King.

Only a few voted against the issue.

"Then it is settled," concluded the King. "We go to war against Spain and after three years of successful mining, only then will I give my blessing on war against Rome. Barca, Massissina, I would like to see both of you in my chambers immediately. This session is adjourned."

The King's chamber was a stern facade of marble arches and golden columns. Its fortress-like interior was embellished with artwork of olive groves and men in chariots. Perched above the entrance was a huge portrait of the king. The portrait was framed with gleaming wood and accented with the gold of Africa. Also, accented with the gold of Africa was his large ebony throne. Carved into the wood of the throne where the ancestors of his royal linage.

After both Barca and Massinissa entered the King's chamber, the King took his seat at his throne and said to the bailiff, "You are dismissed. Thank you." He then said to Barca and Massinissa, "Please be seated, my brothers."

After both men took their seat at the King's round table, the King's two military escort stood behind the King.

"Now, let us discuss this issue," said the King. "Massinissa, why have you violated our ordinance of slave trading with the Romans?"

"My Kingship, General Barca does not speak the entire truth," Massinissa said nervously. "He is a man full of envy."

"Why should I envy a Numidian?" Barca asked him. "I am in charge of the entire Carthaginian Army. It is through my protective efforts, of our trading ports abroad that, has made you a very rich man. I clearly do not understand your defense before this great King. Would you like another rebuttal?"

"My Kingship, I confess, I have sold a few slaves to some Roman auctioneers but not many," Massinissa responded.

"I would call fifteen thousand slaves a substantial amount," Barca interrupted. He then stood before the king and said, "My kingship, must we continue with this? We have an entire nation to conquer. May we resolve this issue so that we can move on to the business of Spain?"

"Yes, Barca, we can," agreed the King. "Sheik Massinissa, it doesn't matter whether you sold one slave or one thousand slaves, you knowingly disobeyed this land's law. Therefore, all of your male slaves 16 years of age and older will go to Spain with Barca to mine the silver mines. The women and children 15 years of age and younger will become the property of the Carthaginian government. They will work the public fields as indentured servants. You may keep your money but you are hereby ordered by this government to never trade another slave on this great continent of Africa. If you violate this order, you shall receive a punishment by far worse than death. Do we understand one another?"

"Yes, my Kingship," Massinissa said disappointingly.

"Good! You are now dismissed," finished the King. "You are to report to the Sergeant of Arms. Confiscation is to begin immediately." 

Chapter two

Showtime

And so the great quest was on. After four months of training and preparation, Hamilcar Barca was off to Spain. Spain was approximately one day of traveling. Their first confrontation came within 12 hours of sailing. It was against Jacko, the Illyrian pirate.

Dressed in battle armor and draped in his customary blue Carthaginian cape, Hamilcar Barca stood on the bridge of his vessel appreciating the warm winter daylight. He was then rapidly approached by the ship's drum communication officer.

"Sir, an Illyrian pirate ship has been spotted off our left v-wing assembly," the officer said breathing heavily.

"How far away is it?" Asked Barca.

The drum communication officer asked the question via drum beats to the point ship. After a few seconds, he received a response via drum beats from the point ship. He then said to Barca:

"It is five miles away, sir."

"Has it spotted us yet?" Barca asked the drum communication officer.

The drummer asked the question via drum beats to the point ship. He received a response.

"Yes it has. It is headed toward our left wing destroyer."

Barca called for his son and second in command:

"Hasdrubal?"

"Sir?" answered Hasdrubal.

"Who is in charge of our left wing destroyer?" He asked.

"Your son, Hannibal," answered Hasdrubal.

"Tell him to prepare for battle," said Barca. "An enemy ship is headed in his direction."

Featured center stage in the ship's cargo bay, in the midst of cheering Carthaginian soldiers, was Hannibal Barca and two full-grown Brahma Bulls engaged in a tug-of-war. Holding both bulls by their reins, Hannibal was competing against them in a true test of strength.

Hannibal was a man of great muscular stature. He stood well over six feet in height and weighed close to two hundred pounds. His skin was golden bronze in color. Below his v-shaped torso were his tree trunk-like legs, which were solidly planted as he competed against the bulls. Fastened behind his handsome, ebony face were his woolly locks of hair.

As he held onto the reins, the massive muscles in his large arms flexed and bulged with bursting momentum. Periodically, the bulls would receive a lashing from the ring master's whip that signified more pulling action. Finally, after several minutes of competition, the reins snapped in two. Hannibal fell backward and was caught by two Carthaginian soldiers. He was then approached by his drum communication officer.

"Sir, I have an urgent message from your father," said the drummer.

"Well, speak up," Hannibal said between breaths.

"You are to prepare for battle against Jacko, the Pirate. He is headed directly toward us."

"Great," Hannibal said excitedly. "Let's do it. It's Show time!" He then scrambled up two flights of stairs and took a commanding position on the bridge. He gave the order, "Forward all rudders, lower all masts and give me ramming speed."

Down below, in the ship's galley, the slaves were being chained into their rowing position. After the shackles were firmly fastened around their right ankles, the oars were set in the ready position. The total chained-seating assembly consisted of 100 slaves starboard and 100 slaves port side.

Jacko's ship was sleek, thin and fast moving. Jacko, himself, was a man of a wild and risque appearance. His long hair hung wildly from his head. His teeth were bad and his body lacked a bath. Physically, he too, was a man of great muscular stature and he towered well over seven feet in height.

Standing on his bridge, he was approached by his lookout officer.

"Sir, I believe that one of the Carthaginian vessels has positioned itself for confrontation."

"Good! Let's take our first lamb," Jacko said in his deep, bass-like voice. "Load all catapults and give me a hard left rudder.

Jacko's men scrambled to place moist mortar in the spoons of their catapults. They then stood in the ready position with lit torches in their hands.

"On my command, light the mortar," Jacko said.

As Jacko's ship move closer toward Hannibal's vessel, Hannibal took a firm control of his crew. 

"Hanno?" Hannibal called out.

"Sir?" Answered Hanno, Hannibal's chief in-command.

"Are we ready?"

"Ready and willing," Hanno answered.

"Good! Give me a beat," Hannibal commanded to Hanno.

"You heard the man. Let's get busy. Give me a beat," Hanno said to the drummer below. "Give me two-thirds ramming speed."

The muscular, coal-black, shirtless drummer set the drum beat at two/thirds. He then began his high-rhythm cadence.

"Heave!"

"Hooooo," responded the slaves as they began to row.

"Heave, humpers!"

"Hooooo!

"Port side, stroke! Starboard side, stroke! Heave humpers!"

"Hooooo!"

"Heave!"

"Hooooo!

“Put your back down strokers and raise your rump to the viscous hump, stroke!” 

The strokers delivered a back-breaking effort. Bulging muscles and flexed blood veins were visible on ever stroker, but yet still, they rowed with pride and confidence.

"Light the mortar," ordered Jacko.

"Archers, take aim," Hannibal ordered.

"Fire," shouted Jacko.

"Fire," Hannibal shouted.

Both arrows and burning mortar crossed the air simultaneously. Most of the mortar missed Hannibal's ship. Hannibal's archers struck several of Jacko's men. Jacko's wounded fell overboard into the Mediterranean.

"Reload," Jacko ordered to his men.

The crew scrambled to place more mortar into the spoons of the catapults.

"Fire all arrows at will," Hannibal commanded to his archers.

"Fire," Jacko shouted to his men. 

The incoming mortar rained down heavily onto Hannibal's deck like flamed meteorites. As the fire continued to spread, several of his men were engulfed by the flames. To extinguish themselves, they dove into the Mediterranean Sea.

"Fire on deck! Fire on deck," shouted a Carthaginian soldier.

"Give me more ramming speed," Hannibal shouted forcefully!

"More ramming speed," Hanno ordered to the drummer below.

"Heave," the drummer said as he increased his drum rhythm.

"Hooooo," shouted the slaves.

"Faster," shouted the drummer.

"Hooooo!"

Jacko's ship swiftly positioned itself next to Hannibal's vessel.

"Forward all rudders and prepare to fasten ourselves to the Carthaginian ship," Jacko said as he slid down a mast onto his lower deck.

Both ships collided. The earth quake collision had caused both ships to loose men over the sides.

"Javelin throwers, present arms," Hannibal ordered.

With their swords in their hands, several dozen of Jacko's men leaped onto Hannibal's flaming deck.

"Javelin throwers, release arms," Hannibal commanded.

The javelin throwers released their spears at Jacko's intruding highjackers. Many highjackers were struck by the spears. With loud screams, several wounded fell overboard into the sea.

Jacko, with his sword in his hand, led another group of men in a charge against the Carthaginians. Like a track and field long jumper, Jacko made a running leap onto Hannibal's burning ship.

Hannibal immediately recognized Jacko. He withdrew his sword and swung down, via rope, toward Jacko. On the flamed-lit deck, with hundreds of battling soldiers around them, Hannibal and Jacko engaged in a sword fight.

Rapidly advancing from the rear of Hannibal's ship was another Carthaginian war ship. Its crew, once they were within striking range, released their arrows, via their bows, at Jacko's ship.

"Heave," shouted the galley drummer of the second Carthaginian war ship.

"Hooooo," shouted the rowing slaves of the second ship.

"Faster, humpers!"

"Hooooo!"

The second war ship slammed into Jacko's ship. The slammed momentum vibrated through both Hannibal's and Jacko's ships. As the second war ship continued to move forward, it created a large hole in Jacko's super structure. Sea water rushed into Jacko's galley section. His chained slaves scrambled to break free from their shackles. They were both panicky and unsuccessful.

Jacko quickly realized that his ship was going under. He then let go a scream and charged forward toward Hannibal. Both men wrestled on the flamed-lit deck. Minutes later, with Jacko on top of Hannibal, the fight ended. Both men lay still. Hannibal, with very little physical effort, shoved Jacko aside and withdrew his sword from Jacko's stomach. Jacko was dead.

Shortly there afterward, peace was restored to Hannibal's ship. The fires were extinguished and Jacko's body, along with the rest of his crew, was either thrown or forced to jump overboard.

From the bridge of the second Carthaginian war ship, Hannibal was asked by the ship's Captain:

"Hannibal, how do you feel?"

"Like a winner," Hannibal responded with a smile. He then turned and called for his assistant. "Hanno?"

"Sir?" Answered Hanno.

"Raise the masts, reward the slaves with plenty of food and fresh water and forward all rudders. We're off to Spain," Hannibal said proudly.

                                                                                     Chapter three

                                                                                 Royal Blood Lines


The southeastern shore of Spain required a great deal of excavating prior to landing. The tall treelined shore made the mainland difficult to reach by ship. The relationship between beach and water also offered very little in hospitality. Huge boulders and low waters were the signatures of New Carthage, Spain.

Hamilcar Barca stood on his starboard bow and overlooked Spain's shoreline. After he assessed the situation carefully, he called for his second in command:

"Hasdrubal?"

"Sir?" He answered.

"I want the right wing assembly to go ashore first. The left wing assembly will remain in the harbor until the right wing has cleared the way onto the beaches."

"Yes sir."

After a tricky and dangerous landing, the slaves were sent to form a human assembly line. They passed boxes of supplies and grain from the cargo ship onto the beach. As the evening wore on, they continued to work by torch light. Around midnight, the slaves had built a ramp and had unloaded the chariots, oxen and horses from their storage bins.

All was quiet as the morning dawn approached. Tents, animals and supplies were all aligned in an orderly fashion and the slaves were fast asleep.

Hannibal stood at the entrance of his tent. He stretched his arms and took a deep breath of the early morning air. He then took the leash of his pet lion, Leo and both went for a stroll along the beach. He was joined by his father, Hamilcar Barca.

"Good morning, my son."

"Good morning, my father."

"Did you rest well," asked Hamilcar Barca.

"Yes sir, I did and yourself?"

"Fine, thank you. How's Leo?"

"Lion-like as ever," answered Hannibal.

"Good. You performed brilliantly against Jacko, the pirate yesterday. Was he much trouble for you?"

"Of course not," Hannibal answered. "It was child's play."

"My son, in order to shape your great future, you must know your great past. The Barca family is truly from royal blood lines. Many centuries ago, our people lived in the land of Canaan. Canaan, himself, was the fourth son of Ham, who was the youngest son of Noah. Canaan's oldest son, Sidon, is our ancestral father. The land of Canaan was a peaceful place for our people until Joshua Ben Nun led the Israelites across the Jordan River and beyond the walls of Jericho. Rather than share the land with the Israelites, some of our people, being the great Phoenician merchants that we were, had chosen to come to a land that was both fertile and far, far away from the intruders. That land was Carthage, Africa. Your great, great grandfather, who was also a Barca and a direct descendent of the Phoenician king, had promised to never allow another foreign nation to force our people from their homes. He became the trainer and leader of the Carthaginian Army. It was he who made Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily African colonies."

"Where was his body laid to rest?" Asked Hannibal.

"In Barcelona, Sicily," he answered. "So you see, we do have a permanent interest in those three islands and if Baal is willing, we will get them back."

"My father, I swear to you by the blood of our royal ancestors, I will do all I can to retrieve our islands from those mean-spirited Romans."

"Good. I do like your attitude," said Hamilcar Barca. "Today, we are heading north to Saguntum to begin our first mining operation."

"Are we going to secure the beaches and form communications and supply lines along the way?"

"Yes, we are. I am taking Hasdrubal north with me to engineer the mining operations. I would like for you to secure the beaches and supply routes. We shall make this port city our very first colony. I do expect good relations with the locals."

"Yes sir. And what shall we call this new port city?" Hannibal asked.

"Let's name it after our beloved Carthage. We shall name it Cartagena." 

 

                                                                                            Chapter four

                                                                                 Treatments of Harassment


Rome was a city of both legend and fantasy. It was also a city of ideals that lent itself to the ways of opulence, decadence and gaiety. By design, only the rich and politically astute were allowed to live within the inner walls of the city. These people were Latins. Latins had either a deep, olive skin tone or a darkish, beige complexion.

Outside the city, beyond its great wall, were people of lesser privilege. They were not Latins; they were Ligurians. Ligurians were said to be tough, hairy and wild natured. Their small, grass-roofed dwellings were scattered throughout the country side in an array of tribal villages. Further to the north of Rome were the Lombards. They were farmers and wine makers.

Many of the city's paintings and architecture reflected the imperial attitudes of the Latin's (i.e., Romans). Three different marbles were used for their floor patterns. The unforgettable atmosphere also gave way to huge buildings, large, leisurely amphitheaters and oversized seated athletic playing fields.

Late into the night, the sounds of laughter and merry making could be heard within her walls. The constant clattering of chariot wheels was also a family sound of the city. The challenges and wagers of Rome's youth was another constant event. On this particular day, such an event was the case.

On the playing field where the Roman Coliseum would later be built, the evening's entertainment was getting underway. The evening's event was the sparing of two champion gladiators.

"In this corner, we have Titus, the champion of the Gauls," shouted the stadium announcers.

Titus was a strong and muscular, blonde-haired man from northern Europe. As he ran out onto the playing field, he was greeted with boos and jeers of dislike.

"And in this corner we have Bruno, the Black Italian," the announcer shouted with excitement.

Bruno was a part African and a part hairy Ligurian. He too, was a tall and muscular man. As he ran out onto the playing field, he was welcomed with cheers and honors of applause. He then stomped his way toward the center of the playing field twirling his spiked ball and chain. After he approached Titus, he spat at him.

Seated together, high in the choice stadium box seats, was the Roman Emperor Quintus Fabius Maximus and his chief military general, Publius Cornelius Scipio. Both men were Latins and both men were in their early fifties.

"Cornelius, I'll bet you fifteen talents that Bruno defeats Titus in three rounds," said Fabius Maximus.

"Make it twenty, Fabius and we have a deal," said Cornelius Scipio.

"You're on."

The gladiators squared off for battle in the middle of the field. After they presented arms, they immediately went to blows.

"Have you heard that the Africans from Carthage have invaded Spain," Fabius asked Cornelius.

"In fact I have," answered Cornelius. "What do you suspect?"

"I don't know. I understand that they are excavating the silver mines just south of the Ebro River. They have also set up several trading posts throughout Spain."

"Should we intervene," Cornelius asked.

The crowd chanted loudly for Bruno.

"No," Fabius said over the loud chants. "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk free. As long as they remain current on their war indemnity payments, let them mine."

"I don't know about this one, Fabius," said Cornelius. "I really believe that we should be monitoring their movements and developments in Spain. After all, they are Carthaginians and they shouldn't be taken lightly."

The crowd released an ah as Titus drew blood, with his sword, from Bruno's arm. Bruno kicked Titus back with a drop kick. The crowd responded with cheers and excitement.

"I'm sure you're right, Cornelius," said Fabius. "But at this particular time, I don't want a full scale war with Carthage. I'll send a declaration to the Carthaginian government demanding that their army remains south of the Ebro River. I'll also send your brother Cnaeus, along with two thousand troops to Spain, to enforce the declaration and to offer treatments of harassment."

"And if they don't obey?"

"You will have my permission to go to war."

"Good," Cornelius responded.

The stadium crowd began to cheer wildly. Bruno had defeated Titus. Bruno stood over Titus's badly mangled body, spat and then pronounced victory over his opponent.

Cornelius settled back in his seat, folded his arms and said to Fabius, "Game's over; you lose. It took Bruno four rounds to win."