Carthage Empire: History and Facts

Carthage Empire: History and Facts

Located in what is now Tunisia, the city of Ancient Carthage was situated on the Mediterranean coast. At its height of power, Carthage controlled a considerable area of the Mediterranean coast, which included the islands of Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily, as well as Northern Africa and Southern Spain.

Carthage Empire: History and Facts

How long did Carthage rule?

Approximately 650 BCE to 146 BCE, Carthage ruled over the Mediterranean as a powerful nation. The Phoenician Empire founded it first in 814 BCE, although it did not become independent until 650 BCE. Carthage developed as the Mediterranean’s most potent metropolis.

Power and Conflict

Carthage and Rome signed a treaty in 509 BCE. The majority of the Western Mediterranean, Northern Africa, and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily were under Carthaginian rule. Carthage’s strong naval allowed it to maintain control over Rome.

Sicilian Wars

Carthage engaged in multiple conflicts for control of Sicily between 480 and 265 BCE. These conflicts are known as the Greek-Punic or Sicilian Wars. Both sides were never able to fully seize possession of the island despite all of these battles. While the Greeks continued to rule Eastern Sicily, Carthage ruled Western Sicily.

Punic Wars

Carthage and Rome were at more odds as the Roman Republic grew in strength. Carthage engaged Rome in combat in the First Punic War in 264 BCE. After defeating Carthage, Rome seized power in Sicily.

The period of 218–201 BCE saw the Second Punic War. The renowned leader of Carthage, Hannibal, crossed the Alps to attack Rome in Italy during this conflict. As the war dragged on, Carthage started to lose ground, despite Hannibal’s victories in multiple Italian battles. The Romans eventually overthrew Carthage and took over most of Northern Africa and Spain.

The Third Punic War and the Fall of Carthage

The period of 149–146 BCE corresponded to the Third Punic War. Rome attacked the city of Carthage during this conflict. The Carthaginian Empire came to an end when Rome seized the city. The Carthaginian-allied cities were incorporated into the Roman Republic.

Government

Carthage was initially a monarchy ruled by a king. However, the government changed to a republic around the 4th century BCE. Similar to Rome they had a senate made up of 300 wealthy citizens which made the laws. They also had two main leaders that were elected every year. They were called “Suffetes”, which means judges.

Ruins of Carthage
Photo by Patrick Verdier

Facts about Ancient Carthage

• Carthage was later rebuilt by Julius Caesar of Rome. The city became a major part of the Roman Empire.
• Muslim forces destroyed the city of Carthage in 698 CE. They built the city of Tunis, which is today the capital of Tunisia, nearby the ruins of Carthage.
• Hannibal brought elephants with when attacking Italy and crossing the Alps. He started out with 37 elephants, but many of them died before making it into Italy.
• The word “Punic”, as in Punic Wars, comes from the Latin word “Punicus” which is what the Romans called the people from Carthage.
• Carthage religion included a variety of gods. The primary gods being Baal-hamon and his wife, the goddess Tanit.

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