Hanno the Great -289 – -192
Biography
Hanno the Great was born on January 1, 289 BCE in Carthage, during an era when the great North African city-state wielded considerable influence across the Mediterranean. As a prominent Carthaginian aristocrat, he lived through a transformative period in his nation’s history, experiencing firsthand the complex political and military challenges that defined his era. His position within Carthage’s elite circles afforded him significant influence in the affairs of one of the ancient world’s most powerful civilizations.
Little is recorded about the specific accomplishments and daily life of Hanno the Great, yet his longevity speaks to his importance and resilience. He lived to the age of 97, an extraordinary lifespan for the ancient world, passing away on January 1, 192 BCE. The exact location of his death and the place of his burial remain unknown to history, as do many personal details of his remarkable life. What endures is the knowledge that Hanno the Great occupied a place of prominence among Carthage’s aristocracy during a consequential chapter of ancient Mediterranean civilization, leaving behind a legacy preserved primarily through his name and the span of his years.