Where was Carthage located? Carthage (Tunisia): location on the map, photos, ancient history, excursions and tourist reviews

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Meaning of the word Carthage

Carthage in the crossword dictionary

Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998

Carthage

ancient city-state in the North. Africa (in the area of modern Tunisia). Founded in 825 BC e. Phoenicians. To the beginning 3rd century, having conquered the North. Africa, Sicily (except Syracuse), Sardinia and South. Spain emerged as a powerful Mediterranean power, which led to a clash between it and Rome. After the defeat in the Punic Wars (264-146 BC), Carthage was destroyed by the Romans (146), the main Carthaginian territory became part of the Roman province of Africa, the rest was transferred to Numidia.

Carthage

Carthage (Qart-ḥada(št),) - a Phoenician state with its capital in the city of the same name, which existed in ancient times in northern Africa, on the territory of modern Tunisia. Name Qart-ḥadašt Qrtḥdšt) is translated from Phoenician as “New City”. The Latin name for the Phoenician-Carthaginians is Poeni or Puni.

Carthage was founded in 814 BC. e. colonists from the Phoenician city of Tyre. According to legend, the city was founded by Queen Dido, who fled Fez after her brother Pygmalion, king of Tyre, killed her husband Sychaeus in order to take over his wealth. Throughout the history of Carthage, the city's inhabitants were renowned for their business acumen. According to the legend about the founding of the city, Dido bought from a local tribe as much land as an ox's hide could cover. She cut the skin into narrow strips and, making a circle out of them, took possession of a large plot of land. Therefore, the citadel erected at this place was called Birsa, which means “skin.”

After the fall of Phoenician influence in the Western Mediterranean, Carthage reassigned the former Phoenician colonies due to its advantageous geographical position. By the 3rd century BC. e. it becomes the largest state in the western Mediterranean, subjugating Southern Spain, the coast of North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. After the Punic Wars against Rome, Carthage lost its conquests and was destroyed in 146 BC. e. , its territory was turned into the Roman province of Africa. Julius Caesar proposed to found a colony in its place, which was founded after his death.

In the 420-430s, Western Roman Empire control over the province was lost due to separatist revolts and the capture of the Vandal tribe by the Germanic tribe, who founded their kingdom with its capital in Carthage. After the conquest of North Africa by the Byzantine emperor Justinian, the city of Carthage became the capital of the Carthaginian Exarchate. It finally lost its significance after being conquered by the Arabs at the end of the 7th century.

Carthage (disambiguation)

Carthage- ambiguous term:

Carthage is an ancient city-state in northern Africa.
Carthage is an ancient state in northern Africa with its capital in the city of Carthage.
Tunis-Carthage is an international airport in the city of Tunis.
Carthago is a Tunisian airline based at Habib Bourguiba Airport in Monastir.

Carthage (city)

Carthage(date fruit. Qart Hadasht, Carthage,) is an ancient city on the territory of the modern state of Tunisia, near the city of Tunis.

Cartage- the modern name of the city in which the Museum of Carthage is located. Carthage is part of the capital vilayet of Tunis. Currently, Carthage is home to the presidential residence and the University of Carthage.

Name Qart Hadasht(in Punic notation without vowels Qrthdst) is translated from Phoenician as “new city”.

Throughout its history, Carthage was the capital of the Phoenician-founded state of Carthage, one of the largest powers in the Mediterranean. Afterwards, Carthage was taken and destroyed by the Romans, but then rebuilt and became the most important city of the Roman Empire in the province of Africa, a major cultural and then early Christian church center. Then captured by the Vandals and was the capital of the Vandal Kingdom. But after the Arab conquest it fell into decline again.

In 1831, a society for the study of Carthage was opened in Paris. Since 1874, excavations at Carthage have been carried out under the direction of the French Academy of Inscriptions. Since 1973, research on Carthage has been carried out under the auspices of UNESCO.

Examples of the use of the word Carthage in literature.

Voyages of the Phocians to Iberia, the Battle of Alalia, intrigues Carthage- all this happened.

Then Abdalonim hastened to report on the income brought in by the iron mines of Annaba, coral fishing, the production of purple, and the payment of taxes from those living in Carthage Greeks, exporting silver to Arabia, where it was worth ten times more than gold, capturing ships, minus tithes for the temple of the goddess.

The next portrait depicted Agathocles, who, thanks to his incomparable courage and wisdom, was made king of Sicily and supported the war against Carthage.

Do you remember you told me about the wars that our city waged with the Hellenes, about the Sicilian Agathocles, who almost captured Carthage?

While Nicias, considering the capture of Syracuse a difficult task, persuaded the people to abandon this plan, Alcibiades was already dreaming Carthage and Africa, which were to be followed by Italy and the Peloponnese, and Sicily was regarded as just an attack or a path to war.

Must be reported to Carthage and to Iberia, that Hannibal and his army are on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, in Apulia, and are waiting for help to completely defeat the enemy.

The volunteer ended his confession solemnly: - And Carthage fell, all that was left of Nineveh were ruins, dear friend, but still - keep your head up!

Spendius insisted that the siege begin immediately Carthage, but Nar Havas opposed: they should have moved to the borders first.

For while Hamilcar was fighting against the Romans in Sicily, Hanno was governing the Libyan possessions Carthage.

Rumor has it that after Syphax sent against Carthage cavalry, Hanno became more accommodating.

They began to remember that at a time when almost all Carthage supported the ambitious plans of Hannibal, only Hanno remained sober and called for friendship with Rome.

Who, if not Hanno, insisted that Hannibal, still a youth, be detained in Carthage, and then, when Hannibal besieged Saguntum, he demanded its surrender to the Romans.

Admirers of Hanno's political genius argued that even ten years ago Hanno foresaw the disastrous situation Carthage and the need for an alliance with Syphax, who then gravitated toward the Romans.

By the will of the goddess Juno, who, out of affection for Carthage wanted to prevent the founding of Rome, a storm arose and threw the ship to the African coast, where Aenea was kindly received by Dido, who had just founded Carthage.

Next to those delivered specially from Carthage golden goblets on thin legs - from which, according to legend, Dido herself drank - stood rough Iberian bowls, decorated with figures of people and animals or simply with orange, yellow and white lines.

A visit to the ruins of Carthage is one of the most important excursions in Tunisia. Actually, on the territory of this country, Carthage is the only ancient landmark. True, today only the ruins of the baths, which also served as a brothel for soldiers, are accessible to tourists. Nevertheless, it is still worth visiting the ruins, taking photographs and becoming familiar with the ancient culture. And if you come across a good Russian-speaking guide, he will tell the most interesting history and legends of Carthage vividly, with humor and with the obligatory degree of pride for his country.

Carthage is an ancient Phoenician state that existed in 814-146. BC. It was founded 70 years earlier than Rome! The capital of the state was the city of Carthage. From the Phoenician language this name is translated as “new city”. However, its inhabitants spoke Punic. Carthage was considered the most powerful state in the Western Mediterranean for several centuries. But there is very little reliable information about him, since all of it was received from peoples hostile to Carthage. There are no written sources, there are only legends about the Carthaginian commanders and sailors: Hannibal and Hamilcar. And, of course, about the founder of the state, Queen Elissa (Dido).

Elissa

In ancient times, the Phoenician city-state of Tyre was located on the territory of what is now Lebanon. After the death of the king, the throne went to the adult princess Elissa and her brother, the young prince Pygmalion. But in fact, the state was ruled by Elissa Sihei’s husband. The matured Pygmalion ordered the death of the ruler, and his sister, fearing the fate of her husband, fled from Tire.

The princess's ships sailed to the shores of North Africa, and Elissa decided to settle here. She offered the Libyan king a precious stone in exchange for a suitable plot of land. Having accepted the stone, the cunning king allowed the princess to occupy land with an area equal to the skin of a bull. But Elissa outwitted him. She ordered the skin to be cut into cords, stretched them out and fenced off a huge area.

The king was amazed at her resourcefulness, and besides, he really liked the princess, so he ordered the fenced area to be given to her. A citadel called Birsa (skin) was built on this site, and then the city of Carthage arose on the hill and the adjacent seashore with access to the sea in the south and north. This location of the city allowed it to become a leader in maritime trade, since all ships crossing the Mediterranean Sea went between Sicily and the Tunisian coast.

By the way, the city residents, like the founder, were famous for their business acumen. They built shipyards and an artificial port, the two parts of which were connected by a narrow canal, thanks to which the city became the largest trading center of its time. Carthage became a monopolist in the import of metals. Two artificial harbors were dug within the city. One was intended for commercial trade, the other for the navy. It could accommodate 220 warships!

On the isthmus that separated the harbors, they built a huge tower and surrounded it with a massive wall 37 km long. The height of the city walls in some areas reached 12 m. The fortress walls reliably protected the city from the sea, and the monopoly on trade was maintained with the help of mercenary troops and a powerful fleet.

In addition, the Carthaginians planted olive groves, grew wheat, fished, planted gardens, planted vineyards, built houses, engaged in science, invented various mechanisms, and wrote books. The famous glass and magnificent purple fabrics were known far beyond the borders of Carthage! And by the way, it was the Phoenicians who invented 22 letters, which later became the basis of Latin and Greek writing.

Carthage was divided into four identical residential areas. The citadel of Birsa stood in the center. The city had other towers, places of worship, a municipality, markets, a theater and a huge cemetery.

And Elissa’s fate was tragic. The Libyan king wanted to get her as his wife at all costs, otherwise he threatened to destroy Carthage. The princess was forced to agree, but on the condition that the king would under no circumstances encroach on her city. After the wedding ceremony, the proud queen, who did not want to be the wife of an unloved man, threw herself off the fortress wall. But Carthage remained... It was considered one of the largest cities of antiquity!

Religion

From their Phoenician ancestors, the Carthaginians inherited the Canaanite religion. The main deity was Baal Hamm. It was believed that the inhabitants of Carthage made annual sacrifices at the temple of Melqart in Tire. According to legends, the Carthaginians slaughtered slaves on altars and even sacrificed children - the firstborn of noble families; it was believed that this could appease the gods, but this is known only from the testimony of enemies of the state, and it is hardly possible to trust them 100%. In addition, the Romans always presented their enemies as savages.

Some historians argue that children who were stillborn in Carthage were buried not in the necropolis, but in a separate cemetery, which archaeologists designated as a place of sacrifice, since the remains of sacrificial animals were found there. Also, there was no documentary confirmation of the legend that the Carthaginians in each family sacrificed the first born boy.

Perhaps not the least role in escalating the situation was played by Christian priests, who have a very negative attitude towards paganism, and therefore regal parishioners with terrible legends about sacrifices. However, there is no doubt that prisoners of war were sacrificed to the gods. But it was not the Carthaginians who did this, but the Phoenicians on the walls of Tire during the siege of the city by Greek-Macedonian troops in the 4th century AD. Such cruelty makes your blood run cold, but this is history.

Rise of Carthage

After the death of Elissa, the monarchy in Carthage was abolished, and it became an oligarchic republic. The Carthaginians became related to the local residents and began to be called not Phoenicians, but Punics. Power belonged to the aristocracy. The highest body was the council of elders, first consisting of 10, and later of 30 people. Formally, the national assembly played a significant role, but in fact it was rarely addressed.

Then, in order to counter the desire of some clans to gain full power, a council of judges consisting of 104 people was created in Carthage. His task is to administer justice to those in power after their powers expire. But over time, the council of judges itself became the center of power. The executive and supreme judicial powers were considered to be two suffets, whose votes were openly bought every year. Council 104 was appointed by pentarchy - special commissions consisting of people belonging to noble families. The commander-in-chief was elected by the council of elders for an indefinite period and endowed with the broadest powers. Officials performed their duties for free.

The peoples who inhabited Carthage had unequal social rights. At the lowest level were the Libyans. They paid the highest taxes and were recruited into the army. The Sicilian inhabitants of the Siculi were limited by "Sidonian law". At the same time, they could trade freely. People from the Phoenician cities annexed to Carthage enjoyed full civil rights. Non-Phoenician peoples were also limited by "Sidonian law".

Army

The army of Carthage consisted mainly of mercenaries. The infantry was based on African, Gallic, Greek and Spanish mercenaries. Noble Carthaginians served in heavily armed cavalry, which was called the “sacred band”. In antiquity, the Numedians were considered skilled horsemen. They, as well as the Iberians, formed the basis of the mercenary cavalry. The light infantry was formed by the Iberians, Citratei and Balearic slingers, the heavy infantry by the Scoutatii. Spanish heavy cavalry was also highly valued.

The Celtiberian tribes used long double-edged swords in battle. Elephants played an important role; there were about 300 of them. Technically, the army was equipped with ballistas, catapults and other weapons. By the end of Carthage's existence, the commander-in-chief was elected by the army, which speaks of monarchical tendencies.

By the time of the Punic Wars, the democratic opposition had strengthened, but it did not have time to play a decisive role in the reorganization of Carthage. Despite the corruption of the system, the country had enormous government revenues, which allowed it to develop successfully. In addition, despite the fact that Carthage was actually ruled by an oligarchy, decisions were made by the plebs - the people.

Carthaginian merchants constantly conquered new markets. In 480 BC. The navigator Himilkon reached British Cornwall, rich in tin. 30 years later, Hanno, a member of the famous Carthaginian family, led a large expedition. 30,000 men and women sailed on 60 ships. They landed in different parts of the coast and founded new colonies. It is believed that Hanno could have reached the Gulf of Guinea and the shores of Cameroon.

After Phoenician influence in the western Mediterranean waned, Carthage re-subordinated the former Phoenician colonies, subjugated Southern Spain, Corsica, Sicily, Sardinia, North Africa and by the 3rd century BC. became the largest state in the Western Mediterranean. Carthaginian war galleys and merchant sailing ships sailed the Atlantic Ocean, reaching the shores of Ireland, England and Cameroon.

Carthage was considered the second richest state, after Persia, and the first in military power. By that time, the influence of Greece, which was a constant enemy of Carthage, had significantly decreased. But Rome became a strong power.

When talking about Carthage, one cannot help but mention Hannibal. He was the son of Hamilcar Barca. Brought up in the spirit of hatred of Rome, having become a military leader, Hannibal himself began to look for a reason for war.

In 218 BC. Hannibal captured the Spanish city of Saguntum, an ally of Rome. The Carthaginian commander-in-chief led the army into Italian territory, bypassing the Alps. He won victories at Trebia, Ticinus and Lake Trasimene. And 216 BC. Hannibal crushed the Romans at Cannae, as a result, a significant part of Italy was annexed to Carthage, including the second most important city, Capua.

Fall of Carthage

After a series of Punic Wars against the Roman Empire, Carthage lost its conquests and in 146 BC. was destroyed and became a province of Africa. Marcus Porcius Cato in the Roman Senate repeatedly repeated the now famous phrase “Carthage must be destroyed!”, and he achieved his goal. The city was taken by storm by Roman troops led by Aemilian Spizion, who, looking at the death of a powerful power, cried. The 55,000 Carthaginians who escaped death were sold into slavery. After the death of Julius Caesar, a colony was founded here.

According to legend, the fertile lands of Carthage were covered with salt, and nothing could grow on them for a long time. Since then, spilling salt in Tunisia is still considered a very bad omen. Also, the winners took all the gold and jewelry in Carthage, and burned the city. As a result of the fire, the famous Carthaginian library was destroyed and all the chronicles about the Punic Wars disappeared.

The city, which previously ruled over half of the ancient world, turned into ruins. Instead of the palace of the admiral of the Carthaginian fleet, there were fragments of columns and blocks of yellow stone. Piles of stones remained from the foundation of the temple of the gods and the acropolis.

In the 420-430s, separatist revolts began, the lands were seized by the Germanic tribe of Vandals, and the Western Roman Empire lost control over the province. Carthage became the capital of the Vandal state.

Then, after North Africa was conquered by the Byzantine emperor Justinian, Carthage became the capital of the Carthaginian Exarchate, but after the conquest by the Arabs it finally lost its importance.

The historical oversight is that since the Romans and Carthaginians did not enter into a peace treaty following the destruction of Carthage, the Third Punic War legally lasted 2131. Only on February 2, 1985, the mayors of Rome and the revived Carthage signed an agreement on peace and mutual cooperation.

Carthage- a Phoenician, or Punic, state with its capital in the city of the same name, which existed in ancient times in northern Africa, on the territory of modern Tunisia. Carthage was founded in 814 BC. e. colonists from the Phoenician city of Tire. According to legend, Carthage was founded by Queen Elissa (Dido), who fled from Tire after her brother Pygmalion, the king of Tire, killed her husband Sychaeus in order to take possession of his wealth. Throughout the history of Carthage, the city's inhabitants were renowned for their business acumen.

Location
Carthage was founded on a promontory with entrances to the sea in the north and south. The city's location made it a leader in Mediterranean maritime trade. All ships crossing the sea inevitably passed between Sicily and the coast of Tunisia. The length of the massive city walls was 37 kilometers, and the height in some places reached 12 meters. Most of the walls were located on the shore, which made the city impregnable from the sea. The city had a huge cemetery, places of worship, markets, a municipality, towers, and a theater. It was divided into four equal residential areas. Approximately in the middle of the city stood a high citadel called Birsa. It was one of the largest cities in Hellenistic times.

Story
Carthage was founded by immigrants from the Phoenician city of Tire at the end of the 9th century BC. e. According to legend, the city was founded by the widow of a Phoenician king named Dido. She promised the local tribe to pay a precious stone for a piece of land limited by the skin of a bull, but on the condition that the choice of place would be hers. After the deal was concluded, the colonists chose a convenient location for the city, ringing it with narrow belts made from a single bull hide. According to Herodotus, Justin and Ovid, soon after the founding of the city, relations between Carthage and the local population deteriorated. The leader of the Maksitan tribe, Giarb, under the threat of war, demanded the hand of Queen Dido, but she preferred death to marriage. The war, however, began and was not in favor of the Carthaginians. According to Ovid, Giarbus even captured the city and held it for several years. Judging by the objects found during archaeological excavations, at the beginning of its history, trade relations connected Carthage with the metropolis, as well as Cyprus and Egypt. In the 8th century BC. e. The situation in the Mediterranean has changed greatly. Phenicia was conquered by Assyria and numerous colonies became independent. Assyrian rule caused a massive exodus of population from the ancient Phoenician cities to the colonies. Probably, the population of Carthage was replenished with refugees to such an extent that Carthage was able to form colonies itself. The first Carthaginian colony in the western Mediterranean was Ebessus on the Pitius Islands. At the turn of the 7th and 6th centuries. BC e. Greek colonization began. In order to counter the advance of the Greeks, the Phoenician colonies began to unite into states. In Sicily - Panormus, Soluent, Motia in 580 BC. e. successfully resisted the Greeks. In Spain, a league of cities led by Hades fought Tartessus. But the basis of a single Phoenician state in the west was the union of Carthage and Utica. The advantageous geographical position allowed Carthage to become the largest city in the western Mediterranean (the population reached 700,000 people), unite around itself the rest of the Phoenician colonies in North Africa and Spain and conduct extensive conquests and colonization.
Carthage before the Punic Wars
In the 6th century, the Greeks founded the colony of Massalia and entered into an alliance with Tartessus. Initially, the Punes suffered defeats, but Mago I reformed the army, an alliance was concluded with the Etruscans, and in 537 BC. e. In the battle of Alalia, the Greeks were defeated. Soon Tartessus was destroyed and all the Phoenician cities of Spain were annexed. The main source of wealth was trade - Carthaginian merchants traded in Egypt, Italy, Spain, the Black and Red Seas - and agriculture, based on the widespread use of slave labor. There was regulation of trade - Carthage sought to monopolize trade turnover; for this purpose, all subjects were obliged to trade only through the mediation of Carthaginian merchants. During the Greco-Persian Wars, Carthage was allied with Persia, and together with the Etruscans an attempt was made to completely capture Sicily. But after the defeat at the Battle of Himera (480 BC) by a coalition of Greek city-states, the struggle was suspended for several decades. The main enemy of the Punics was Syracuse, the war continued at intervals of almost a hundred years (394-306 BC) and ended with the almost complete conquest of Sicily by the Punics.
In the 3rd century BC. e. the interests of Carthage came into conflict with the strengthened Roman Republic. Relations began to deteriorate. This first appeared at the final stage of the war between Rome and Tarentum. Finally, in 264 BC. e. The First Punic War began. It was carried out mainly in Sicily and at sea. The Romans captured Sicily, but this was affected by the almost complete absence of Rome's fleet. Only by 260 BC. e. The Romans created a fleet and, using boarding tactics, won a naval victory at Cape Mila. In 256 BC. e. The Romans moved the fighting to Africa, defeating the fleet and then the land army of the Carthaginians. But the consul Attilius Regulus did not use the advantage gained, and a year later the Punic army under the command of the Spartan mercenary Xanthippus inflicted a complete defeat on the Romans. Only in 251 BC. e. In the battle of Panorma (Sicily), the Romans won a great victory, capturing 120 elephants. Two years later, the Carthaginians won a great naval victory and there was a lull.
Hamilcar Barca
In 247 BC. e. Hamilcar Barca became the commander-in-chief of Carthage; thanks to his outstanding abilities, success in Sicily began to lean toward the Punics, but in 241 BC. e. Rome, having gathered its strength, was able to field a new fleet and army. Carthage could no longer resist them and, after defeat, was forced to make peace, ceding Sicily to Rome, and pay an indemnity of 3,200 talents for 10 years. After the defeat, Hamilcar resigned, power passed to his political opponents, led by Hanno.
The apparent inability of the aristocratic government to govern effectively led to the strengthening of the democratic opposition, led by Hamilcar. The People's Assembly vested him with the powers of commander-in-chief. In 236 BC. e., having conquered the entire African coast, he transferred the fighting to Spain. He fought there for 9 years until he fell in battle. After his death, the army chose his son-in-law Hasdrubal as commander in chief. In 16 years, most of Spain was conquered and firmly tied to the metropolis. Silver mines brought very large incomes, and a strong army was created in battles. Overall, Carthage became much stronger than it had been even before the loss of Sicily.
Hannibal Barca
After the death of Hasdrubal, the army chose Hannibal - the son of Hamilcar - as commander in chief. All his children - Mago, Hasdrubal and Hannibal - Gamil Kara was brought up in the spirit of hatred of Rome, therefore, having gained control of the army, Hannibal began to look for a reason for war. In 218 BC. e. he captured Saguntum, a Spanish city and an ally of Rome, and the war began. Unexpectedly for the enemy, Hannibal led his army around the Alps into Italian territory. There he won a number of victories - at Ticinus, Trebia and Lake Trasimene. A dictator was appointed in Rome, but in 216 BC. e. near the city of Canna, Hannibal inflicted a crushing defeat on the Romans, which resulted in the transfer of a significant part of Italy, and the second most important city, Capua, to the side of Carthage. With the death of Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal, who led him with significant reinforcements, the position of Carthage became very complicated.
Hannibal's campaigns
Rome soon moved the fighting to Africa. Having concluded an alliance with the king of the Numidians, Massinissa, Scipio inflicted a series of defeats on the Punes. Hannibal was called home. In 202 BC. e. In the battle of Zama, commanding a poorly trained army, he was defeated, and the Carthaginians decided to make peace. Under its terms, they were forced to give Spain and all the islands to Rome, maintain only 10 warships and pay 10,000 talents of indemnity. In addition, they had no right to fight with anyone without the permission of Rome. After the end of the war, Hanno, Gisgon and Hasdrubal Gad, the heads of the aristocratic parties, who were hostile towards Hannibal, tried to get Hannibal condemned, but, supported by the population, he managed to retain power. In 196 BC. e. Rome defeated Macedonia, which was an ally of Carthage, in the war.
Fall of Carthage
Even after losing two wars, Carthage managed to quickly recover and soon became one of the richest cities again. In Rome, trade had long been an essential sector of the economy; competition from Carthage hampered its development. His rapid recovery was also a big concern. The Numidian king Massinissa constantly attacked the Carthaginian possessions; Realizing that Rome always supported the opponents of Carthage, he moved on to direct seizures. All complaints of the Carthaginians were ignored and resolved in favor of Numidia. Finally, the Punes were forced to give him a direct military rebuff. Rome immediately made claims regarding the outbreak of hostilities without permission. The Roman army arrived at Carthage. The frightened Carthaginians asked for peace, the consul Lucius Censorinus demanded the surrender of all weapons, then demanded that Carthage be destroyed and that a new city be founded far from the sea. Having asked for a month to think it over, the Punes prepared for war. Thus began the Third Punic War. The city was fortified, so it was possible to capture it only after 3 years of difficult siege and heavy fighting. Carthage was completely destroyed, and out of a population of 500,000, 50,000 were captured and became slaves. The literature of Carthage was destroyed, with the exception of a treatise on agriculture written by Mago. A Roman province was created on the territory of Carthage, ruled by a governor from Utica.

The legendary wealth of Carthage
Built on the foundation laid by the Phoenician ancestors, Carthage created its own trading network and developed it to unprecedented proportions. Carthage maintained its monopoly on trade through a powerful fleet and mercenary troops. Carthaginian merchants were constantly looking for new markets. Around 480 BC. e. The navigator Gimilkon landed in British Cornwall, rich in tin. And 30 years later, Hanno, who came from an influential Carthaginian family, led an expedition of 60 ships with 30,000 men and women. People were landed in different parts of the coast to found new colonies. Entrepreneurship and business acumen helped Carthage become, by all accounts, the richest city of the ancient world. " At the beginning of the 3rd century BC. e. thanks to technology, the fleet and trade... the city has moved to the forefront"- says the book "Carthage". The Greek historian Appian wrote about the Carthaginians: “ Their power militarily became equal to the Hellenic, but in terms of wealth it was in second place after the Persian».

Regions and cities
The agricultural areas in mainland Africa - the area inhabited by the Carthaginians themselves - roughly correspond to the territory of modern Tunisia, although other lands also fell under the city’s rule. There were also real Phoenician colonies here - Utica, Leptis, Hadrumet, etc. Information about Carthage's relations with these cities and some Phoenician settlements in Africa or elsewhere is scarce. The cities of the Tunisian coast showed independence in their politics only in 149 BC, when it became obvious that Rome intended to destroy Carthage. Some of them submitted to Rome. In general, Carthage was able to choose a political line, which was joined by the rest of the Phoenician cities both in Africa and on the other side of the Mediterranean Sea. The Carthaginian power was extensive. In Africa, its easternmost city was more than 300 km east of Eia. Between it and the Atlantic Ocean the ruins of a number of ancient Phoenician and Carthaginian cities were discovered. Around 500 BC or a little later, the navigator Hanno led an expedition that founded several colonies on the Atlantic coast of Africa. He ventured far to the south and left a description of gorillas, tom-toms and other African sights rarely mentioned by ancient authors. Colonies and trading posts were for the most part located approximately one day's sailing distance from each other. Usually they were located on islands near the coast, on capes, at the mouths of rivers, or in those places on the mainland of the country from where it was easy to reach the sea. The power included Malta and two neighboring islands. Carthage fought the Sicilian Greeks for centuries; under its rule were Lilybaeum and other heavily fortified ports in western Sicily, as well as, at various periods, other areas on the island. Gradually, Carthage established control over the fertile regions of Sardinia, while the inhabitants of the mountainous regions of the island remained unconquered. Foreign merchants were prohibited from entering the island. At the beginning of the 5th century. BC. The Carthaginians began to explore Corsica. Carthaginian colonies and trading settlements also existed on the southern coast of Spain, while the Greeks gained a foothold on the eastern coast. Since arriving here in 237 BC. Hamilcar Barca and before Hannibal's campaign in Italy, great successes were achieved in subjugating the interior regions of Spain.

System of government
Carthage owned fertile lands in the interior of the continent, it had an advantageous geographical position, which was conducive to trade, and also allowed it to control the waters between Africa and Sicily, preventing foreign ships from sailing further to the west.
Compared to many famous cities of antiquity, Punic Carthage is not so rich in finds, since in 146 BC. The Romans methodically destroyed the city, and intensive construction took place in Roman Carthage, founded on the same site in 44 BC. Carthage was surrounded by powerful walls measuring approx. 30 km. Its population is unknown. The citadel was very strongly fortified. The city had a market square, a council building, a court and temples. The quarter, called Megara, had many vegetable gardens, orchards and winding canals. The ships entered the trading harbor through a narrow passage. Up to 220 ships could be pulled ashore at the same time for loading and unloading. Behind the trading harbor there was a military harbor and an arsenal. In terms of its government structure, Carthage was an oligarchy. Despite the fact that in their homeland, in Phenicia, power belonged to the kings. Ancient authors, who mostly admired the structure of Carthage, compared it with the political system of Sparta and Rome. Power here belonged to the Senate, which was in charge of finances, foreign policy, declarations of war and peace, and also carried out the general conduct of the war. Executive power was vested in two elected magistrates-suffets. Obviously, these were senators, and their duties were exclusively civilian, not involving control over the army. Together with the army commanders, they were elected by the people's assembly. The same positions were established in cities under the rule of Carthage. Although many aristocrats owned vast agricultural lands, land ownership was not the only basis for achieving high social status. Trade was considered a completely respectable occupation, and wealth obtained in this way was treated with respect.

Religion of Carthage
The Carthaginians, like other Mediterranean peoples, imagined the universe as divided into three worlds, one above the other. Perhaps this is the same world serpent, which the Ugaritians called Latanu, and the ancient Jews called Leviathan. The earth was thought to lie between two oceans. The sun, rising from the eastern ocean, circled the earth, sank into the western ocean, which was considered the sea of darkness and the abode of the dead. The souls of the dead could get there on ships or on dolphins. The sky was the seat of the Carthaginian gods. Since the Carthaginians were immigrants from the Phoenician city of Tyre, they revered the gods of Canaan, but not all of them. And the Canaanite gods changed their appearance on new soil, absorbing the features of the local gods.

The first place among the Carthaginian deities was occupied by the maiden goddess Tannit, known since the 5th century. BC e. according to the religious formula of the Punic inscriptions as “Tannit before Baal.” In importance, she corresponded to the great goddesses of Ugarit - Asherah, Astarte and Anat, but did not coincide with them in functions and in many ways surpassed them, which can be seen at least by her full name. The symbols of Tannit were a crescent, a dove and a triangle with a crossbar - like a schematic representation of the female body. One of the main gods of the Carthaginians, Baal-Hammon, who found himself in the shadow of Tannit, retained some features of his predecessor Balu: Baal was also the patron of agriculture, the “bread-bearer,” and was depicted with ears of corn in his left hand. Identified with the Greek Kronos, the Etruscan Satre and the Roman Saturn, Baal-Hammon belonged to the older generation of gods; It was to him that numerous human sacrifices were made. An equally revered god in Carthage was Reshef, already known to the Canaanites in the 2nd millennium BC. e., but was not then one of the main gods. The very name Reshef means “flame”, “spark”, and the attribute of the god was a bow, which gave the Greeks reason to identify him with Apollo, although in fact he was most likely the god of thunder and heavenly light, like the Greek Zeus, the Etruscan Tin and the Roman Jupiter . Along with the gods, the Carthaginians revered heroes. There are known altars of the Philen brothers, who became famous for their exploits in the fight against the local population or the Hellenes. Gods and heroes were worshiped both in the open air, near the altars dedicated to them, and in temples run by priests. The combination of priestly and secular positions was allowed. The priesthood of each temple constituted a college, headed by the chief priest, who belonged to the highest strata of the aristocracy. The bulk of the temple personnel consisted of ordinary priests and priestesses, whose positions were also considered honorary. Among the ministers there were also fortunetellers, musicians, sacred barbers, scribes and slaves who occupied a higher position than private and state slaves. Particular importance in the cult was attached to sacrifices, usually accompanied by theatrical performances. Part of the harvest, animals and people were sacrificed. Human sacrifices are known to many ancient religions, but if among the Hellenes, Etruscans, and Romans they were not of a permanent nature, then in Carthage human sacrifices were made annually - not a single major religious holiday was complete without them. The most common were sacrifices of newborn children. The Carthaginians took the highest-ranking citizens as hostages; the Carthaginian gods demanded sacrifices, first of all, of the children of the nobility. And none of the prominent politicians and military leaders was able to protect their child from this fate. Over time, the thirst for blood among the Carthaginian gods increased: children were sacrificed to them more and more often and in more and more new territories that were part of the Carthaginian state.

Trade policy
The Carthaginians were successful in trade. Carthage can well be called a trading state, since its policy was guided by commercial considerations. Many of its colonies and trading settlements were undoubtedly founded for the purpose of expanding trade. It is known about some expeditions undertaken by the Carthaginian rulers, the reason for which was also the desire for wider trade relations. In a treaty concluded by Carthage in 508 BC. with the Roman Republic, which had just emerged after the expulsion of the Etruscan kings from Rome, it was stipulated that Roman ships could not sail into the western part of the sea, but they could use the harbor of Carthage. In the event of a forced landing elsewhere in Punic territory, they asked for official protection from the authorities and, after repairing the ship and replenishing food supplies, immediately set sail. Carthage agreed to recognize Rome's borders and respect its people as well as its allies. The Carthaginians entered into agreements and, if necessary, made concessions. They also resorted to force to prevent rivals from entering the waters of the western Mediterranean, which they considered as their patrimony, with the exception of the coast of Gaul and the adjacent coasts of Spain and Italy. They also fought against piracy. Carthage did not pay due attention to coinage. Apparently, there was no own coin here until the 4th century. BC, when silver coins were issued which, if the surviving examples are considered typical, varied considerably in weight and quality. Perhaps the Carthaginians preferred to use the reliable silver coins of Athens and other states, and most transactions were carried out through direct barter.

Agriculture
The Carthaginians were skilled farmers. The most important grain crops were wheat and barley. Average quality wine was produced for sale. Fragments of ceramic containers found during archaeological excavations in Carthage indicate that the Carthaginians imported higher quality wines from Greece or the island of Rhodes. The Carthaginians were famous for their passion for wine, and special laws were passed against drunkenness. In North Africa, olive oil was produced in large quantities, although of low quality. Figs, pomegranates, almonds, date palms grew here, and ancient authors mention vegetables such as cabbage, peas and artichokes. Horses, mules, cows, sheep and goats were bred in Carthage. The Numidians, who lived to the west, in the territory of modern Algeria, preferred thoroughbred horses and were famous as riders. Most of Carthage's African possessions were divided among wealthy Carthaginians, in whose large estates farming was carried out on a scientific basis. After the fall of Carthage, the Roman Senate, wanting to attract wealthy people to restore production in some of its lands, ordered the translation of this manual into Latin. Local residents - Berbers, and sometimes groups of slaves under the leadership of overseers - worked as tenants, or sharecroppers.

Craft
Carthaginian artisans specialized in the production of cheap products, mostly reproducing Egyptian, Phoenician and Greek designs and intended for sale in the western Mediterranean, where Carthage captured all markets. The production of luxury goods, such as the vibrant purple dye commonly known as Tyrian purple, dates back to the later period of Roman rule in North Africa, but may be considered to have existed before the fall of Carthage. Permanent settlements were founded in Morocco and on the island of Djerba, in the best places for obtaining murex. In accordance with Eastern traditions, the state was a slave owner, using slave labor in arsenals, shipyards or construction.
Some Punic craftsmen were very skilled, especially in carpentry and metalwork. A Carthaginian carpenter could use cedar wood for work, the properties of which were known from ancient times by the craftsmen of Ancient Phenicia who worked with Lebanese cedar. Due to the constant need for ships, both carpenters and metal workers were invariably distinguished by a high level of skill. The largest of the handicraft industries was the production of ceramic products. The remains of workshops and pottery kilns filled with products intended for firing were discovered. Each Punic settlement in Africa produced pottery, which is found throughout the areas that were part of Carthage's sphere - Malta, Sicily, Sardinia and Spain.

"Carthage must be destroyed" (Latin Carthago delenda est, Carthaginem delendam esse) - a Latin catchphrase meaning an insistent call to fight an enemy or obstacle. In a broader sense, it is a constant return to the same issue, regardless of the general topic of discussion.

Carthage (Phoenix: Qart Hadasht, Latin: Carthago, Arabic: قرطاج, Carthage, French: Carthage, ancient Greek: Καρχηδών) is an ancient city in Tunisia, near the capital of the country - the city of Tunis, as part of the capital vilayet of Tunis.

The name Qart Hadasht (in Punic notation without the vowels Qrthdst) is translated from Phoenician as “new city”.

Throughout its history, Carthage was the capital of the Phoenician-founded state of Carthage, one of the largest powers in the Mediterranean. After the Punic Wars, Carthage was taken and destroyed by the Romans, but then rebuilt and became the most important city of the Roman Empire in the province of Africa, a major cultural and then early Christian church center. Then captured by the Vandals and was the capital of the Vandal Kingdom. But after the Arab conquest it fell into decline again.

Currently, Carthage is a suburb of the Tunisian capital, in which the presidential residence and the University of Carthage are located.

Carthaginian state

Carthage founded in 814 BC e. colonists from the Phoenician city of Tyre. After the fall of Phoenician influence, Carthage re-subordinated the former Phoenician colonies and turned into the capital of the largest state in the Western Mediterranean. By the 3rd century BC. e. The Carthaginian state subjugates Southern Spain, North Africa, western Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. After a series of wars against Rome (Punic Wars), it lost its conquests and was destroyed in 146 BC. e., its territory was turned into a province of Africa.

Location

Carthage was founded on a promontory with entrances to the sea in the north and south. The city's location made it a leader in Mediterranean maritime trade. All ships crossing the sea inevitably passed between Sicily and the coast of Tunisia.

Two large artificial harbors were dug within the city: one for the navy, capable of accommodating 220 warships, the other for commercial trade. On the isthmus that separated the harbors, a huge tower was built, surrounded by a wall.

Roman era

Julius Caesar proposed to found a Roman colony on the site of the destruction of Carthage (it was founded after his death). Thanks to its convenient location on trade routes, the city soon grew again and became the capital of the Roman province of Africa, which included the lands of what is now northern Tunisia.

After Rome

During the Great Migration and the collapse of the Western Roman Empire North Africa was captured by Vandals and Alans who made Carthage the capital of their state. This state lasted until 534, when the commanders of the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian I returned the African lands to the empire. Carthage became the capital of the Carthaginian Exarchate.

A fall

After the conquest of North Africa Arabs The city of Kairouan, founded by them in 670, became the new center of the Ifriqiya region, and Carthage quickly faded away.

Carthage arose several centuries earlier than the small Gallic settlement of Lutetia, which later became Paris. It already existed in the times when the Etruscans, the Romans’ teachers in art, navigation and crafts, appeared in the north of the Apennine Peninsula. Carthage was already a city when a bronze plow was dug around the Palatine Hill, thereby performing the ritual of founding the Eternal City.

Like the beginning of any city whose history goes back centuries, the founding of Carthage is also associated with legend. 814 BC e. - the ships of the Phoenician queen Elissa moored near Utica, a Phoenician settlement in North Africa.

They were met by the leader of the nearby Berber tribes. The local population had no desire to allow a whole detachment that arrived from overseas to settle permanently. However, the leader agreed to Elissa’s request to allow them to settle there. But with one condition: the territory that the aliens can occupy must be covered with the skin of only one bull.
The Phoenician queen was not at all embarrassed and ordered her people to cut this skin into the thinnest strips, which were then laid out on the ground in a closed line - tip to tip. As a result, a rather large area emerged, which was enough to found an entire settlement, called Birsa - “Skin”. The Phoenicians themselves called it “Karthadasht” - “New City”, “New Capital”. After this name was transformed into Carthage, Cartagena, in Russian it sounds like Carthage.
After a brilliant operation with the skin of a bull, the Phoenician queen took another heroic step. Then the leader of one of the local tribes wooed her to strengthen the alliance with the newcomer Phoenicians. After all, Carthage grew and began to gain respect in the area. But Elissa refused female happiness and chose a different fate. In the name of establishing a new city-state, in the name of the rise of the Phoenician people and so that the gods would sanctify Carthage with their attention and strengthen the royal power, the queen ordered to build a large fire. For the gods, as she said, ordered her to perform the ritual of sacrifice...
And when a huge fire flared up, Elissa threw herself into the hot flames. The ashes of the first queen - the founder of Carthage - lay in the ground, on which the walls of a powerful state soon grew, which experienced centuries of prosperity and died, like the Phoenician queen Elissa, in fiery agony.

This legend has no scientific confirmation yet, and the most ancient finds, which were obtained as a result of archaeological excavations, date back to the 7th century BC. e.

The Phoenicians brought knowledge, craft traditions, and a higher level of culture to these lands and quickly established themselves as skilled and skilled workers. Along with the Egyptians, they mastered the production of glass, excelled in weaving and pottery, as well as in leather dressing, patterned embroidery, and the manufacture of bronze and silver items. Their goods were prized throughout the Mediterranean. The economic life of Carthage was usually built on trade, agriculture and fishing. It was at that time that olive groves and orchards were planted along the shores of what is now Tunisia, and the plains were plowed. Even the Romans marveled at the agricultural knowledge of the Carthaginians.

The hardworking and skillful inhabitants of Carthage dug artesian wells, built dams and stone cisterns for water, grew wheat, cultivated gardens and vineyards, erected multi-story buildings, invented various mechanisms, watched the stars, wrote books...

Their glass was known throughout the ancient world, perhaps to an even greater extent than Venetian glass in the Middle Ages. The colorful purple fabrics of the Carthaginians, the secret of whose production was carefully hidden, were incredibly highly valued.

The cultural influence of the Phoenicians was also of great importance. They invented the alphabet - the same alphabet of 22 letters, which served as the basis for the writing of many peoples: for Greek writing, and for Latin, and for our writing.

Already 200 years after the city was founded, the Carthaginian power became prosperous and powerful. The Carthaginians founded trading posts on the Balearic Islands, they captured Corsica, and over time began to take control of Sardinia. By the 5th century BC. e. Carthage had already established itself as one of the largest empires in the Mediterranean. This empire covered a significant territory of the present Maghreb, had its possessions in Spain and Sicily; The Carthage fleet began to enter the Atlantic Ocean through Gibraltar, reaching England, Ireland and even the shores of Cameroon.

He had no equal in the entire Mediterranean Sea. Polybius wrote that the Carthaginian galleys were built in such a way “that they could move in any direction with the greatest ease... If the enemy, fiercely attacking, pressed such ships, they retreated without exposing themselves to danger: after all, light ships are not afraid of the open sea. If the enemy persisted in pursuit, the galleys turned around and, maneuvering in front of the formation of enemy ships or enveloping it from the flanks, again and again went to ram.” Under the protection of such galleys, the heavily laden Carthaginian sailing ships could go to sea without fear.

Everything was going well for the city. At that time, the influence of Greece, the constant enemy of Carthage, decreased significantly. The rulers of the city supported their power by an alliance with the Etruscans: this alliance was, in its own way, a shield that blocked the Greeks’ path to the trading oases of the Mediterranean. In the east, things were also going well for Carthage, but in that era Rome became a strong Mediterranean power.

It is known how the rivalry between Carthage and Rome ended. The sworn enemy of the famous city, Marcus Porcius Cato, at the end of each of his speeches in the Roman Senate, no matter what was said, repeated: “Still, I believe that!”

Cato himself visited Carthage as part of the Roman embassy at the end of the 2nd century BC. e. A noisy, prosperous city appeared before him. Large trade deals were concluded there, coins from different states ended up in the chests of the money changers, the mines regularly supplied silver, copper and lead, ships left the stocks.

Cato also visited the provinces, where he was able to see lush fields, lush vineyards, gardens and olive groves. The estates of the Carthaginian nobility were in no way inferior to the Roman ones, and sometimes even surpassed them in luxury and splendor of decoration.

The senator returned to Rome in the most gloomy mood. Setting out on his journey, he hoped to see signs of the decline of Carthage, that eternal and sworn rival of Rome. For more than a century, there has been a struggle between the two most powerful powers of the Mediterranean for the possession of colonies, convenient harbors, and supremacy at sea.

This struggle went on with varying degrees of success, but the Romans were able to oust the Carthaginians from Sicily and Andalusia forever. As a result of the African victories of Aemilian Scipio, Carthage paid Rome an indemnity of 10 thousand talents, gave up its entire fleet, war elephants and all Numidian lands. Such crushing defeats should have bled the state dry, but Carthage was reviving and growing stronger, which means it would again pose a threat to Rome...

So the senator thought, and only dreams of future vengeance dispersed his gloomy thoughts.

For three years, the legions of Aemilian Scipio besieged Carthage, and no matter how desperately its inhabitants resisted, they could not block the path of the Roman army. The battle for the city lasted for six days, and then it was taken by storm. For 10 days, Carthage was given over to plunder, and then razed to the ground. Heavy Roman plows plowed what remained of its streets and squares.

Salt was thrown into the ground so that the Carthaginian fields and gardens would no longer bear fruit. The surviving inhabitants, 55 thousand people, were sold into slavery. According to legend, Aemilian Scipio, whose troops took Carthage by storm, cried as he watched the capital of a powerful power perish.

The winners took away gold, silver, jewelry, ivory, carpets - everything that had accumulated in temples, sanctuaries, palaces and homes over the centuries. Almost all books and chronicles were lost in the fires. The Romans handed over the famous library of Carthage to their allies - the Numidian princes, and since that time it has disappeared without a trace. Only a treatise on agriculture by the Carthaginian Mago has survived.

But the greedy robbers, who ravaged the city and razed it to the ground, did not rest on this. It seemed to them that the Carthaginians, whose wealth was legendary, had hidden their treasures before the last battle. And for many more years, treasure seekers scoured the dead city.

24 years after the destruction of Carthage, the Romans began to rebuild a new city in its place according to their own models - with wide streets and squares, with white stone palaces, temples and public buildings. Everything that was somehow able to survive the defeat of Carthage was now used in the construction of a new city, which was being revived in the Roman style.

In less than a few decades, Carthage, rising from the ashes, turned in beauty and importance into the second city of the state. All historians who described Carthage during the Roman period spoke of it as a city in which “luxury and pleasure reign.”

But Roman rule did not last forever. By the middle of the 5th century, the city came under the rule of Byzantium, and a century and a half later the first Arab military detachments came here. With retaliatory blows, the Byzantines again regained the city, but only for three years, and then it remained forever in the hands of the new conquerors.

The Berber tribes greeted the arrival of the Arabs calmly and did not interfere with the spread of Islam. Arab schools opened in all cities and even small villages, literature, medicine, theology, astronomy, architecture, folk crafts began to develop...

During Arab rule, when dynasties at war with each other were replaced very often, Carthage was relegated to the background. Destroyed once again, he could no longer rise, turning into a symbol of majestic immortality. People and ruthless time have left nothing of the former greatness of Carthage - the city that ruled over half of the ancient world. Neither the German lighthouse, nor the stone from the fortress wall, nor the temple of the god Eshmun, on the steps of which the defenders of the great ancient city fought to the last.

Now on the site of the legendary city is a quiet suburb of Tunisia. A small peninsula cuts into the horseshoe-shaped harbor of the former military fort. Here you can see fragments of columns and blocks of yellow stone - all that remains of the palace of the admiral of the Carthaginian fleet. Historians believe that the palace was built so that the admiral could always see the ships he commanded. And only a pile of stones (presumably from the acropolis) and the foundation of the temple of the gods Tanit and Baal indicate that Carthage was in fact a real place on earth. And if the wheel of history had turned differently, Carthage, instead of Rome, could have become the ruler of the ancient world.

Since the mid-twentieth century, excavations have been carried out there, and it turned out that not far from Birsa, an entire quarter of Carthage was preserved under a layer of ash. To this day, all our knowledge of the great city is mainly the testimony of its enemies. And therefore the evidence of Carthage itself is now becoming increasingly important. Tourists come here from all over the world to stand on this ancient land and experience its great past. Carthage is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and therefore it must be preserved...