Abstract:

Carthage is mainly known as the city that was utterly destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC. This book tells the story about this fascinating city, which for centuries was the centre of a far-flung trade network in the Mediterranean.

Carthage was founded by Phoenician migrants, who settled in the north of what is now Tunisia, probably in the ninth century BC. The city’s strategic location was key to its success. From here, the Carthaginians could dominate both seafaring trade and the overland trade with the African interior.

Carthage, Fact and Myth presents the most recent views of Carthaginian society, its commerce and politics, and the way its society was organised. Chapters, written by leading experts, describe the founding of Carthage, its merchant and war fleets, and the devastating wars with Rome. These include the campaigns of the famous Carthaginian commander Hannibal who crossed the Alps with his army and elephants to pose a grave threat to Rome, but he was ultimately unable to prevail.

Tunisian experts describe Roman Carthage – the city as it was rebuilt by the Emperor Augustus – and discuss the later Christian period. Finally, the reader encounters a wealth of information about European images of Carthage, from 16th-century prints to the Alix series of comics.

The book is published as part of a large exhibition on the ancient city of Carthage in the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities

Watch the clip below to have a look at some of the pages:

Contents

1. Carthage: Fact and Myth

2. Phoenicia: From Place of Transit to Trading Nation

3. Punic Carthage

4. The Punic writing system

5. The Tophet of Carthage

6. Egyptian Influence in Carthage

7. Carthage as a Maritime Power

8. Carthage & the local Libyan-Numidian Population

9. The Punic Wars

10. The Mahdia Shipwreck

11. Roman Carthage: History and Monuments

12. Christian Carthage

13. Dido and Hannibal through Western eyes

14. Foreigners on an Unfamiliar Coast: The Rediscovery of Carthage

15. Reflections of Carthage in 19th century art

16. Images of Carthage in the 20th and 21st Centuries: Films, Comics & Games

17. Ancient Carthage in the 21st Century: A Timeless Message