As I was going through some old documents , I came across an article from an early 19th century English newspaper, The Examiner, dated November 17, 1811 (No. 203). What aroused my interest was the following part of the article:

“Sir W. Drummond has discovered in Malta the burial-place of Hannibal. He adduces several reasons for thinking that although Hannibal fell in Bythinia, by the perfidy of King Prusias and the Roman General Flaminius, yet his ashes were brought from thence to repose among his countrymen and relatives in Malta. It appears, that, in the year 1761, in the district of Ben Ghisa, in Malta, was discovered a sepulchral cave. In the wall of this cave was a hollow square, in which was cut, in Phoenician characters, the epitaph annexed, which Sir W. has thus translated: ‘The inner Chamber of the Sanctuary of the Sepulchre of Hannibal, illustrious in the consummation of calamity – he was beloved – the people lament, when arrayed in order of battle, Hannibal. Son of Bar-Melech.’

“Sir W. D. argues that the name of the district of Malta where stands this Sepulchre, Ben Ghisa, is a corruption of what ancient writers intended by the family of Amilcar Giscon, which was nearly related to that of Amilcar Barca, or, by transposition, Barea Amilca, would be the Punic Order, and, as on the tomb, Bar-Melech.”

I wonder if there could be any truth in this claim and would appreciate your readers’ comments and opinions.