ABSTRACT
The same procedure for replacing Hasdrubal was followed as for Hamilcar. ‘The forces’ in Spain-Polybius assures us, and so do later sourcesunanimously chose Hannibal as their new general. As before, this choice was most likely made by the Carthaginian troops and officers, under arrangements equally unknown. Then, when the events in Spain were reported at Carthage, the citizen assembly ratified the appointment. Of course there was no question of other candidates or any competition. Thus a third Barcid took control of the city and the empire, confirming the de facto monarchy into which the republic had evolved. If Hanno the Great protested this time, it went unrecorded.
