The Carthaginians lived in the great city of Carthage, which was located on the northern coast of Africa. The Carthaginians had two huge connected harbors located in the Gulf of Tunis. Carthage was located on a peninsula, and the two harbors were connected by a channel going into Carthage. One of the harbors was located within the city walls and could harbor over one hundred military ships.
Very few written works have been found while excavating Carthage. As a result, we know very little about their daily lives, government, and language. The homes of Carthage are very plain except for the homes of aristocrats. The average Carthaginian home has no furniture, except for a couple of baskets and bowls for cooking. The baskets were used for just about anything; storage was the main purpose, but they were used to carry water too. The bowl, which held the fire, had a curved rim that made a platform for a cooking pot. They only light was omitted by a lantern placed in a niche in the wall. The aristocrats could afford better furnishings like wickerwork, cabinets, and hangings. The main outfit of the Carthaginian’s was a long sleeved robe made of cotton. They wore a type of hat like a turban too. They wore sandals or think-soled shoes to protect their feet. The Carthaginian diet was like every other Mediterranean group, it consisted mostly cereals and olive oil. Bread and porridge made from wheat and barley were also in the Carthaginian's regular diet.
The legend says that Carthage was founded by Dido, the daughter of the king of Tyre. Tyre was another great Phoenician city. Carthage, originally a trading post, was established around the 9th century BC. Through the years Carthage and its people formed a great empire. Carthage does not have much to show for it’s power and prestige though. What little fine arts Carthage had were replicas of Greek or Egyptian art. Their script was very limited, and shows their lack of record taking. Carthage was known by their army which was almost always at war with the Greeks and Romans. The Punic Wars show the power of the young Carthaginian army. They Blasted through Spain in 264 BC in the first Punic War, lead by Hasdrubal and his young son Hannibal. In 218 BC Hannibal lead the Carthaginian army through the Alps and in to Italy. Once the third Punic War broke out in 149 BC, the Carthaginians were weak. The Roman army destroyed Carthage and spread salt across the land.
Carthage was not known for its great art, but its great war leaders. Hannibal lead a weak army with elephants over the Alps and into Italy for battle. “Hannibal is one of the smartest leaders to ever walk the face of the earth” (Oachs). Carthage was probably the first city-state to control an empire. Much of western North Africa, southern Spain, Sardinia, Corsica, and the western half of Sicily came under Carthage's rule (Boren).
Carthage was a great empire built by the Phoenician queen Dido. Carthage served as a trading post during its forming years. The Carthaginians wanted more than just being a trading post, they wanted an empire. The three Punic Wars went on from 264 BC to 146 BC ending with the destruction of Carthage and the Carthaginians. “Many great leaders came out of Carthage, but probably the best was Hannibal the great Carthaginian leader” (Oachs). He helped Carthage become one of the first City-states to run an Empire. The Carthaginian’s poor record keeping has limited our knowledge of their people and government. We have learned a lot from artifacts and other civilization records, but we still have a ways to go.
Works Cited
Charles-Picard, Gilbert. Daily Life In Carthage at the time of Hannibal. New York: Macmillan Co., 1961
Boren, Henry C. World Book. Washington: IBM, 1999
Dabbagh, Yasser El. “Tunisia, History, Carthaginians & Romans.” ArabNet.
20 Nov. 2000 <http://www.arab.net/tunisia/history/ta_carthaginians.html>
Halsall, Paul. “The Carthaginian Law of Sacrifice, c. 400 BCE.” Ancient History Source.
20 Nov. 2000 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/400carthage-sacrifice.html>
Written By: Mitch Oachs