CARTHAGINIAN

Carthage was founded by Dido [i] , a Phoenician princess. In the 5th and 6th century BCE, Carthage’s territory expanded exponentially in the West Mediterranean thanks to the broadening spectrum of merchant businesses. However, its decline started during the Punic wars. The term “punic” [ii] comes from the name Romans called Carthaginians: “Poeni,” which means Phoenicians. Rome challenged Carthage's dominance in the West Mediterranean, which led Carthage to lose Sicily in the first Punic War. When the Second Punic War started, Hannibal, the acclaimed Carthaginian general, led them to war but lost because Carthage fought on two fronts; Rome, and Carthage's warring leading families.

The Etruscans were the most prominent [iii] of all of Carthage’s allies. Teaming up with the Carthaginians, the Etruscans went to war against the Greeks, or Phoenicians. This is known as the battle of Alalia. Most of Carthage’s allies [iv] were the cities it conquered and suppressed, with most in the areas of Greece, Italy, Gaul, and Iberia. However, Carthage’s rivals and enemies were enormous and widespread. The primary reason for this was Carthage’s wealth and power. Carthage’s archenemy was Rome, given their discomfort with Carthage's growing prominence in both war and commerce. They challenged each other for supremacy of the West Mediterranean.

After Carthage's defeat in the Third Punic War [v], Rome started exerting peace and order globally. Power shifted from Africa to Rome, as nearly all of the Carthaginian empire was now Rome's territory. This ruling system rubbed off on the whole world at the time, and its legacy can still be seen today. Governmental systems, trading tactics, and so on, were adopted and are now used by many present-day countries. The idea of uniting and establishing peace in all colonies was utilized even by the United States. Still today, the legal systems of the ancient world continue to be practiced by many.

Carthage used the Oligarchy [vi] ruling system. The empire chose its leaders from the wealthy and influential families. These leaders were aristocrats and business men; and were always warring for peak influence and power. The rulers consistently sought to topple one another and claim the title of most influential. A council consisting of ten people wielded the civilization’s legislative power. However, as time passed, the system changed and a council consisting of thirty people was approved and implemented. This council functioned much like a set of judges. The group of thirty made business, economic, and war decisions for the people of Carthage.

The city of Carthage is antique. Founded in 825 BCE, the city was called Kart-Hadasht in Phoenician [vi], meaning New Town, and Carthago in Latin. Today, it can be traced to Tunis, a North African coastal city located in Tunisia. In 1979, UNESCO added [viii] the archaeological site of Carthage to its World Heritage List. Originally, the city was founded by the Phoenicians as one of their smaller city-states. It was built on a promontory as a checkpoint for ships that traveled down from Sicily through the Mediterranean and off the Tunisian coast. The Romans referred to the people of Carthage as Poeni.

The Carthaginian Empire's most central accomplishments include trade and war conquests. The civilization’s ability to rise to the top in less than a century, along with its ability to maximize its trading options were major markers of success, largely thanks to its location. The Carthaginians lauded war stories are also an inevitable mention alongside Rome because Rome built its latter accomplishments on the foundation of Carthage's defeat and decline. Carthage and Rome had intertwined destinies, and couldn't exist together at the time. The thought of Rome and Carthage's coexistence at the time posed as a major threat to the Roman Empire.

The Carthaginians were maritime professionals [ix]. They were acute sea explorers. As merchants and traders, they sold their goods through highly accessible water routes and became one of the most successful empires in ancient times. They traded various kinds of goods. Their trade dealt primarily with the business of slaves, minerals from their mines, foods, and clothes. Carthage’s selling point was a trade route that linked it with the West Mediterranean and Levant. They owned and controlled the North African coast. Not long after its inception, Carthage found smaller colonies of its own who sent gifts in money, gold, and farm produce.