Difference between revisions of "Carthage"
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| − | '''Carthage''' was an ancient city on the | + | '''Carthage''' was an ancient city on the coast of North [[Africa]] close to the modern city of [[Tunis]], capital of [[Tunisia]]. It was founded by [[Phoenicia]]ns from [[Tyre]] traditionally in 814 B.C. (although archaeological evidence suggests a century or so later). Over the next few centuries it outdid other Phoenician colonies in its area and by the third century B.C. controlled trade in all the islands and much of the coasts of the western [[Mediterranean]]; having displaced the colonial [[Greek]]s (after much bloodshed) and other Phoenician settlements. Its fleets traded as far afield as the [[British Isles]] and down the West African coast. [[Herodotus]] recounts the [[Egypt]]ian king Necho II commissioning a Carthaginian circumnavigation of Africa in about 600 B.C. |
| − | + | During the third century it became inevitable that Carthage would clash with the increasingly powerful [[Roman Republic]] over issues of trade and the control of [[Sicily]]. Between 264 and 146 B.C. the three [[Punic Wars]] were fought resulting in the complete annihilation of Carthage and a decree banning its rebuilding. | |
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| − | + | (Carthage had been a trading and agricultural society, based in an excellent harbour in a strategic position where the Mediterranean narrows between Africa and Sicily. The surrounding countryside was developed into fine agricultural land worked by the original population of the area who were generally mistreated. The government consisted of two magistrates, elected each 2 years from the ruling elite, and a senate with life membership. Ordinary citizens had little power. Generals were elected and acted with the knowledge that the price of failure was usually death. Religion was harsh and included human sacrifice.) | |
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| − | + | An attempt at resettlement by Rome in 122 B.C. failed, however in 29 B.C. the emperor [[Augustus]] inaugurated a colony in the area and a new Carthage grew, prospering from the cultivation of corn into a large city, a centre of training in law and rhetoric, and the capital of the Roman province of Africa. It became a focus for Christian activity, an area of intense monasticism and a bishopric by end of the 2nd century A.D., St. Cyprian and the scholar, Tertulian, worked there. | |
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| + | The area was overrun by the [[Vandals]] in 439 and retaken for [[Justinian]] by [[Belisarius]] in 533. It remained under Constantinople’s control until the Arab conquests of the late 7th century when it was once more destroyed. The city virtually disappeared over the ensuing centuries. Archaeological work began in the late 19th century and continues today. | ||
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[[Category:Ancient History]] | [[Category:Ancient History]] | ||
[[Category:African Cities and Towns]] | [[Category:African Cities and Towns]] | ||
Revision as of 02:11, October 24, 2008
Carthage was an ancient city on the coast of North Africa close to the modern city of Tunis, capital of Tunisia. It was founded by Phoenicians from Tyre traditionally in 814 B.C. (although archaeological evidence suggests a century or so later). Over the next few centuries it outdid other Phoenician colonies in its area and by the third century B.C. controlled trade in all the islands and much of the coasts of the western Mediterranean; having displaced the colonial Greeks (after much bloodshed) and other Phoenician settlements. Its fleets traded as far afield as the British Isles and down the West African coast. Herodotus recounts the Egyptian king Necho II commissioning a Carthaginian circumnavigation of Africa in about 600 B.C.
During the third century it became inevitable that Carthage would clash with the increasingly powerful Roman Republic over issues of trade and the control of Sicily. Between 264 and 146 B.C. the three Punic Wars were fought resulting in the complete annihilation of Carthage and a decree banning its rebuilding.
(Carthage had been a trading and agricultural society, based in an excellent harbour in a strategic position where the Mediterranean narrows between Africa and Sicily. The surrounding countryside was developed into fine agricultural land worked by the original population of the area who were generally mistreated. The government consisted of two magistrates, elected each 2 years from the ruling elite, and a senate with life membership. Ordinary citizens had little power. Generals were elected and acted with the knowledge that the price of failure was usually death. Religion was harsh and included human sacrifice.)
An attempt at resettlement by Rome in 122 B.C. failed, however in 29 B.C. the emperor Augustus inaugurated a colony in the area and a new Carthage grew, prospering from the cultivation of corn into a large city, a centre of training in law and rhetoric, and the capital of the Roman province of Africa. It became a focus for Christian activity, an area of intense monasticism and a bishopric by end of the 2nd century A.D., St. Cyprian and the scholar, Tertulian, worked there.
The area was overrun by the Vandals in 439 and retaken for Justinian by Belisarius in 533. It remained under Constantinople’s control until the Arab conquests of the late 7th century when it was once more destroyed. The city virtually disappeared over the ensuing centuries. Archaeological work began in the late 19th century and continues today.