With almost 3 years of history, this African city was the heart of a powerful empire, accumulated wealth with silver mines and faced Rome in epic battles that changed the destiny of the Mediterranean.
A city with almost three thousand years of history, which was once the beating heart of a powerful empire and rivaled Rome for control of the Mediterranean. This is Carthage, a city in Africa, located in what is now Tunisia, and which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its history, full of glories and tragedies, is a true treasure for those who love to delve into the past.
But what made Carthage so special? Let's explore the details that made this city one of the great capitals of the ancient world.
The founding of Carthage
Carthage was founded in the 9th century BC on the Gulf of Tunis, in a strategic location that connected the Mediterranean to crucial trade routes. Legend has it that the city was founded by Dido, a Phoenician queen who fled Tyre, but its founding is not just myth—it’s a historical landmark.
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Over time, Carthage grew from a small settlement to a trading powerhouse. Its privileged location and the skill of its inhabitants in navigation and trade transformed it into one of the most influential city-states of antiquity.
The height of the Carthaginian Empire
During its heyday, Carthage was synonymous with wealth. The city prospered thanks to the exploitation of silver mines in North Africa and southern Spain. But it was not only the economy that shone: the cosmopolitan culture and imposing architecture demonstrated the greatness of this civilization.
Carthage's urban planning was advanced, with a society ruled by a wealthy aristocracy and influential. It was a city that attracted merchants, scholars and explorers from all over the Mediterranean, becoming a meeting point of cultures and ideas.
The conflict with Rome and the Punic Wars
Carthage and Rome were destined to collide. Both were emerging powers in the Mediterranean, but with conflicting ambitions. This clash resulted in the famous Punic Wars, a series of epic battles that shaped ancient history.
The height of tension was the dispute over control of Sicily, a strategic island for trade. The conflict ended in 146 BC, when Rome destroyed Carthage, burning the city to the ground and marking the end of one of the most powerful empires in history.
Carthage under Roman rule
Despite its destruction, Rome knew that the site of Carthage had strategic value. So it rebuilt the city as a Roman colony. The new Carthage was a shadow of its former glory, but still impressive.
Today, the ruins of this Roman era, such as the Antonine Baths, attract tourists from all over the world. Walking among these structures is like stepping back in time, sensing the grandeur of a civilization that shaped the world.
World heritage and historical legacy of the city
Today, the archaeological site of Carthage is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It symbolizes not only the greatness of the past, but also the resilience of history. Archaeologists and visitors alike are fascinated by the mix of cultures that have left their mark on this unique place.
Carthage reminds us that even the greatest powers can fall, but his legacy lives on, inspiring generations. It is a true jewel of African history.
The Greeks envied this city because of its prosperous economy and people. The famous phrase “Delenda Carthage” said by a Greek general demonstrates the greed of Greeks and Romans for Carthage.
The phrase was from a Roman senator, a crass one if I'm not mistaken, and it reflected Rome's envy of Carthage, just as the US's envy of China.
“Delenda Est Cartago”, a phrase attributed to the ancient Roman General and Consul Cato which means Carthage must be destroyed… One of the first Generals who fought directly against Carthage in the First Punic War, who throughout his life at the height of his political career in Rome decreed the complete destruction of Carthage.