Battle of the Bagradas River (239 BC)

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Battle of the Bagradas River
Part of Carthage's Mercenary War
Date 239 BC Location Mouth of the Bagradas River 34°00′00″N, 32°00′00″E Result Carthaginian victory
Combatants
Carthage	Rebel mercenaries
Commanders
Hamilcar Barca	Spendius
Strength
10,000 militia, 500 cavalry, 70 elephants.	15,000 infantry.
Casualties
500 infantry killed	6,000 infantry killed, 2,000 men captured.

Mercenary War
Utica – Bagradas River – Carthage – "The Saw" – Tunis

The Battle of the Bagradas River was a battle in 239 BC between Hamilcar Barca of Carthage and the town of Utica. It marked Carthage's first major victory in the Mercenary War.

Barca was called out of retirement to replace the routed Hanno the Great, following his embarrassing defeat at Utica. Intent on retaking the town, Hamilcar began moving his troops across the beach where they were quickly surrounded by a horde of insurgents from the city, as well as professional soldiers from a nearby castle they were passing. Charging his war elephants around the insurgent horde, Hamilcar was able to reach a nearly undefended Utica where the Numidian Chief Narawas had remained.

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