# Hanno — Salammbô character guide

> Hanno in Salammbô by Gustave Flaubert.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Suffet Hanno, the old Suffet, the victorious Hanno

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-feast

## Snapshot

An aged Carthaginian suffet and Hamilcar's jealous rival, he commands with cruelty and incompetence while his body rots with disease.

## Who they are

Hanno is the old Suffet whose animosity toward Hamilcar shapes Carthage's councils as much as any foreign threat, and whose plenary command he accepts only after weighing his appetite for authority against his grudges. His body is covered in a disfiguring illness, and his cruelty toward the mercenaries helps ignite the very revolt he is sent to crush. He embodies the decay of Carthaginian oligarchy, and his failures throw Hamilcar's competence into relief.

## Relationships

### [Spendius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/spendius)

_rivalry_

Hanno and Spendius are enemies, with Spendius exploiting Hanno's incompetence to further the revolt.

### [Matho](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/matho)

_rivalry_

Hanno and Matho are direct military opponents, with Matho leading the mercenaries against Hanno's forces.

### [Spendius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/spendius)

_rivalry_

Hanno and Spendius are enemies, with Spendius exploiting Hanno's incompetence to further the revolt.

## In the story

### [At Sicca](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/ii-at-sicca)

The Suffet Hanno arrives at the camp in a lavish litter to harangue the soldiers, but his deformity and past treachery provoke contempt.

### [IV: Beneath the Walls of Carthage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/iv-beneath-the-walls-of-carthage)

The Suffet whose head the mercenaries demand as proof of Carthage's good faith.

### [Hanno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/vi-hanno)

The Suffet Hanno concludes his preparations and leads a Carthaginian army against the Barbarians, but arrives too late for surprise.

### [VIII: The Battle of the Macaras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/viii-the-battle-of-the-macaras)

Mentioned as the previous commander; Hamilcar demands him as examiner of accounts to prevent accusations.

### [IX: In the Field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/ix-in-the-field)

Hanno's partisans exaggerate Hamilcar's victory to undermine him, contributing to the political opposition.

### [XII: The Aqueduct](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/xii-the-aqueduct)

Commands a separate army but acts out of jealousy, hampering Hamilcar's efforts; eventually recalled to Carthage.

### [XIV: The Pass of the Hatchet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/chapters/xiv-the-pass-of-the-hatchet)

Captured by the Barbarians after a failed attack; offers to betray Hamilcar to save himself, but is stripped and nearly crucified before being spared by Matho.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters/hanno
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/salammb_se/characters