ABSTRACT
In 220 b.c.e., with the two islands and northern Italy apparently secure, Carthaginian actions began to look more ominous, especially under the leadership of the charismatic general Hannibal in Spain. Roman emissaries went to Spain to investigate Carthaginian intentions in 231 b.c.e. and came back satisfied: Hamilcar Barca explained that he was only trying to explore new sources of revenue to enable Carthage to finish paying its indemnity to Rome. Continued Carthaginian expansion in Spain under Hamilcar and then Hasdrubal evoked ever-louder complaints from Massilia. After Hasdrubal had brought almost the entire Iberian Peninsula south of the Ebro River under Carthaginian control, a disgruntled slave murdered him in 221 b.c.e. Hannibal, the eldest son of Hamilcar, succeeded him. Roman worries were calmed by the Ebro Treaty of 226 b.c.e. In 218, however, Hannibal’s destruction of Saguntum precipitated the Second Punic War.
