Volume19 Journalof the NumismaticAs soc ratron of Austraha 2007Conference Papers Coinage of the Libyan Revolt, 241–238 BC Stephen P Mulligan Historical background Mediterranean with control over Sardinia, The Libyan Revolt was a conflict western Sicily and the North African between Carthage and her former coast12. Carthage had her own military and mercenary army that lasted from 241 political classes such as the famous Barcid to 238 BC1-7. It is also known as the family (e.g. Hamilcar Barca and his son ‘Mercenary War’ or the ‘Truceless War’, Hannibal)13–14. The continuous use of the the latter reflecting the barbarity on both horse as an image on her coinage suggests a sides1,7. It occurred immediately after the strong equestrian and cavalry tradition prolonged First Punic-Roman War that within Punic society15–20. However, probably spanned 23 years from 264 to 241 BC, and due to her limited population and for simple that had taken place on land and sea commercial reasons, during much of her 8-11 around Sicily . history Carthage appears to have relied There are two sources of evidence for heavily on mercenary armies when the need the Libyan Revolt; the historical account arose21–22. This was particularly in the era in of Polybius1 and the numismatic evidence which she produced coinage, and there is an of the coins that were issued by the rebels. obvious link, because the most convenient Coins have a special symbolism in this method of payment for a mercenary army war, which began as a financial dispute was coinage. The mercenaries were drawn between a city of merchants, her from around the Carthaginian home- mercenary army and the heavily taxed land populated by native Libyans, who populace. They show us the imagery with accounted for the largest numbers, which the rebels chose to portray Numidians, as well as Greeks, Celts, Gauls, themselves. Ligurians, Campanians, Balearic Islanders Carthage was built on the North and Iberians1. It was the mercenary forces African coast on a promontory just north of employed during the twenty-three year long Cap Bon. The city was founded in First Punic-Roman War that were 814 BC by Elissa (Dido) and other refugees subsequently involved in the Libyan escaping from political turmoil in their Revolt. former home city of Tyre in Phoenicia2-6. At the end of the First Punic War with Carthage was in a very central and highly Rome, the mercenary army was repatriated strategic location for access, trade and from the last Carthaginian bases of Erice naval control within the Mediterranean and Lilybaeum in western Sicily back to (Fig. 1). Carthage1,7. The Carthaginian surrender Carthage was primarily a mercantile had been signed from his stronghold in city and became the dominant power in the Erice by Hamilcar Barca, who had JNAA 19 2008 17 Stephen P Mulligan Figure 1. Map of the Mediterranean illustrating the Figure 2. Map of Libya (modern Northern Tunisia) strategic location of Carthage. showing principal locations in the Libyan Revolt. remained undefeated, but in stalemate. military and political figure, to resolve this Hamilcar returned immediately to Carthage payment dispute, the soldiers escalated and left his deputy, General Gisco, to their demands and the negotiations failed. organise the repatriation of the troops Finally, Carthage dispatched Gisco (Table 1). Gisco did this deliberately in with full payment for the mercenaries. Two small units so that the soldiers would be mercenary soldiers, Mathos and Spendius, paid their dues, and then dispersed back to emerged as leaders, as arguments developed their respective homelands to prevent the among the different ethnic and language build-up of large numbers of troops in the groups of the mercenaries. The two mother city and the unruly behaviour that ringleaders quashed any dissent in the might be expected. Regrettably for atmosphere of mob rule that had developed. Carthage, this is precisely what was to The mercenaries took Gisco hostage and transpire, when the authorities in Carthage seized all the Carthaginian money from were either unable or unwilling to pay the him. Then 20,000 mercenaries marched to dues to the soldiers. Hence, large numbers Carthage and made camp at Tunis, 15 of soldiers congregated in the city, with kilometres from the Punic capital. resulting problems in law and order. The rebels are reported to have had The Carthaginian authorities then ample supplies and finances to enable them expelled the troops from Carthage to Sicca to conduct a prolonged campaign. Among about 160 kilometres to the west (Fig. 2), their initial forays they besieged Utica and allowing them to take their baggage and Hippocritae in the north. Hanno was placed families with them. Polybius records that in command of the Carthaginian forces, the soldiers were each given a gold stater and while he evidently had organisational (Fig. 3) to cover their immediate expenses. ability in procuring new soldiers for Following their arrival in Sicca, and Carthage, he was incompetent in the field. during the course of the subsequent He lost significant battles while trying to deliberations with Hanno, a leading lift the sieges of Utica and Hippocritae. 18 JNAA 19 2008 Coinage of the Libyan Revolt, 241–238 BC found himself in difficulties. Navaras, a Numidian prince who had traditional ties with the Carthaginians, boldly offered himself and his cavalry force to Hamilcar. In both this and subsequent battles against the rebel forces, Navaras was to contribute significantly to the Carthaginian success. Figure 3. Carthage electrum stater, c.300 BC (7.3 g). After his victory over Spendius, Hamilcar Obv: Head of Tanit (the consort of Baal) left, made an important decision to offer crowned with corn wreath, wearing earring with immunity to any captured rebels who pendant and necklace, dotted border. Rev: Free horse agreed to either join his army, or go their standing right, double exergue line, one dot before own way, as long as they did not take part horse’s front leg, dotted border. cf Sear 6462, Jenkins group V cf No.245, SNG Copenhagen 976. in any further action against Carthage. Hamilcar’s leniency and offer of immunity clearly had a major impact on the Hamilcar Barca was then given rebel leaders, who feared mass defection. command of the Carthaginian forces. At Mathos, Spendius and Autaritus determined this stage of the revolt the rebel forces on a course of committing atrocities that under Mathos were controlling the siege of would increase the hatred on each side to Hippocritae, while Spendius and Autaritus such an extent, that compromise was no were at Tunis from where they were able longer possible. This was begun by cutting to prevent the Carthaginians from leaving off the hands of Gisco, followed by his Carthage. Hamilcar and his troops further mutilation and murder, and then managed to escape from this entrapment the same torture and murder of 700 by crossing the Macaras River at night, Carthaginian hostages that they held. making use of a wind-assisted tidal At this time, there was mutiny in change. On the plain beside the Macaras Sardinia. Polybius reports that all River, where he used his cavalry and Carthaginian soldiers stationed there were elephants to full effect, Hamilcar then taken prisoner, tortured and murdered1. defeated the rebel army led by Spendius. As a result, the Carthaginians suffered So complete was this victory, that where complete loss of control over the island. possible, the mercenaries subsequently Shortly after, Utica and Hippocritae avoided engaging in battle on the plains, defected to the rebels. Mathos and preferring to fight on hilly terrain where Spendius then laid siege to Carthage Hamilcar and his troops, cavalry and herself. Rome refused to occupy either elephants no longer had such an Sardinia or Utica despite invitations by the advantage. rebels to do so, but loyally observed her The next major battle, according to treaty engagements, returned remaining Polybius, was located in an unidentified prisoners from the Sicilian (First Punic- place described as ‘a plain surrounded by Roman) War, and gave permission to her mountains’1 (7–8). The rebel forces under merchants to export all requirements with Spendius had been joined by Numidian ‘prompt and friendly attention’ to requests and Libyan reinforcements, and Hamilcar from Carthage. JNAA 19 2008 19 Stephen P Mulligan Figure 4. Siculo-Punic AR tetradrachm; Carthage Figure 5. Siculo-Punic AR tetradrachm; Tanit/Horse series, c.410–395 BC (17.60 g). Obv: Forepart of series c.320-310 BC (18.84 g). Obv: Wreathed head bridled horse right; above, Nike flying right holding of Tanit/Persephone left wearing triple pendant wreath and caduceus over horse's head; barley grain earring and necklace, four dolphins swimming right. Punic legend QRTHDST. Rev: Palm tree with two around Rev: Horse's head left, palm tree behind, date clusters. Punic legend MHNT. Punic legend MMHNT below. Jenkins, Punic 13 (O3'/R13; this coin listed as ‘private collection S.6434, SNG Lloyd 1633, Jenkins SNR 56 [Series 3a], 183 Y’, pl.3, 13Y); SNG Copenhagen (Carthage) 72 (same obv. die) [O53/R161]. http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=69838. Hamilcar, Navaras and Hannibal (not series of tetradrachms known as the Barca) scoured the country intercepting ‘Carthage series’ were produced17. Jenkins supplies of the rebels and harassing them identified an Akragine tetradrachm that in many skirmishes. Any captured enemy was overstruck on this type, indicating that soldiers were thrown to the elephants and it was struck before 406 BC when Akragas trampled to death. By these tactics, the was destroyed18. These coins were produced rebels were reduced to famine and, as a with twelve obverse dies, some of which consequence, cannibalism. They were have the name of the city QRTHDST (Qart finally surrounded and forced to engage Hadast meaning New City, i.e.