Hampsicora

Hampsicora (3rd century BC - Cornus, 215 BC) was a Carthaginian military and landowner of Sardinia, the leader of the anti-Roman revolt of 215 BC.

The sources describe Hampsicora as the richest among the landowners of Sardinia that at time appeared to be split into two entities: the southern and western coastline, including the vast Campidano plain, directly subjected to the domination of Carthage and the mountainous inland areas still independent and inhabited by Nuragic populations, which, although they had become tolerant of the Carthaginians after many hostilities, were obviously hostile to the Roman conquest.

In conjunction with the victories of Hannibal in Italy, Hampsicora was the animator, along with Hanno of Tharros, of the revolt of the coastal cities of Sardinia against the Romans in 215 BC, succeeding in gaining the support of the Sardinians, especially the tribes of Ilienses. Also the senators of Cornus, the city of which Hampsicora was the chief magistrate, sent ambassadors to Carthage asking aid for the Sardinians who were aware of what was happening in Italy. Carthage then sent Hasdrubal the Bald, with an army of about ten thousand soldiers.

Meanwhile, Titus Manlius Torquatus, the Roman consul, gathered four legions in Caralis and went to Cornus. Manlius surprised the few troops of Cornus, led by Hiostus, son of Hampsicora, who was defeated, having made the mistake of facing the enemy in the open field without waiting for further reinforcements. In fact Hampsicora was asking for reinforcements for the Sardinians.

Shortly after Hasdrubal the Bald finally arrived at Tharros with his army. When Manlius heard about the arrival of the Carthaginians, he preferred to withdraw to Caralis, while Hasdrubal mingled with Hampsicora. Hampsicora's plan was to march on Calaris in order to cut off the supply routes of the other cities of the western coast that had fallen into Roman hands.

The pitched battle between the two armies took place near Decimomannu, according to Francesco Cesare Casula, between the two rivers in the area, a few miles north of Caralis and saw the defeat of the rebels and the death of Hiostus.

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