Alfred J Church

Carthage or the Empire of Africa Alfred J Church

This history of Carthage takes us through the earliest legends, to the peak of the civilization, and finally to the wars with the ascendant Roman Republic.

Greek legend has it that Dido, daughter of the slain Tyrian King Malgernus, founded Carthage in around 850 BC. The status of Carthage as a grand and prosperous city at the head of a coastal Empire whose commercial prowess was known across the Mediterranean. Indeed, the wealth of Carthage meant that much of its army was comprised of mercenaries from elsewhere in North Africa. Advances in architecture, metalworking and the arts burgeoned Carthaginian industry and craftsmanship.

The first large-scale wars that Carthage waged overseas took place in Sicily; an island then under the control of Greece. The successes in this war, and the fearsome reputation of the mercenaries Carthage employed against their Greek opponents, cemented the nation's power. In the years to follow, further advances in science occurred; the harsh climate of North Africa led Carthaginian engineers to create new aqueducts and cisterns, that water shortages be mitigated in times of poor rainfall.

However, the fate of Carthage was sealed following a bold campaign by the General Hannibal; despite commanding an enormous army, he was defeated by the Romans after a protracted campaign wherein ambushes and attrition culminated in a stunning loss at Cannae. This defeat set in motion events that would see Carthage subdued, and eventually besieged and defeated, by the army of the ascendant Roman Republic.