Where is Carthage and what is its mark on history?

Ancient Carthage is one of the few states that threw a real challenge to the Roman legions in the third century BC. The victory of Rome resulted in their civilization to brilliant glory, and Carthage was unfairly forgotten. At the same time, this state was also a successful conqueror and a weighty geopolitical player of the ancient world.

Carthage was founded in 814 BC by Phoenician colonists from the city of Tire. But Phoenician herself was captured by Assyria in the 8th century, which, first, led to the independence of some Phoenician colonies, and secondly, caused the flight of many of its inhabitants from the country (some settled in a recent colony). Carthage became the new leader of the region, occupying the territory of the former metropolis. The place where Carthage (its geographical location) is located, has allowed it not only to strengthen itself, but also to gradually develop its power and influence in the region.

It was located on the shores of North Africa, which predetermined its maritime dominance and the successful development of trade. The ships that crossed the Mediterranean inevitably passed between Sicily (partially in the power of the Carthaginians and finally conquered already in the IV century BC), which meant for the state the possibility of establishing its own rules for the sea. By the VI century BC the population of the capital reached 70 thousand people, and it became the largest city of the entire western Mediterranean.

The first serious military rivals of the state were the ancient Greeks, who in the 7th century began their colonization of the entire Mediterranean coast. In particular, in the Greco-Persian wars of the 5th century, Carthage occupied the Persian side. The global confrontation with the Greeks experienced variable successes and setbacks. At the same time, Carthage significantly expanded its territory mainly due to the North African coast, the south of the Iberian Peninsula and some islands
on the sea. In addition to conquests, the Carthaginians were also famous for their successful trade, which was the main source of state welfare. Their merchants sailed on the coasts of three continents - Europe, Asia, Africa, as a result of which many peoples learned where Carthage is.

The First Punic War

Only in the III century BC the strengthened Roman Republic could become a serious opponent for Carthage. Their conflict was caused by the natural aspiration of the Latins to expand their possessions, as a result of which previously good-neighborly relations between them began to deteriorate.

The First Punic War (the Romans called the Carthaginians Punas) began in 264 BC, mainly for domination of strategically important Sicily. The Romans dominated the land battles, but almost nothing could oppose the fleet of Carthage. And only in 241, when the fleet and army of Carthage were already exhausted, the Romans were able to gather their own forces from their last forces, transferring the theater of action to Africa. The victory of the Romans at the Egat Islands ended the First Punic War, which led to the loss of the dominant position in the region and a series of agreements unprofitable for the Carthaginians.

The Second and Third Punic Wars

The second episode of confrontation worthy of each other rivals was observed in 218. In an attempted revenge, the commander-in-chief of the army, Hannibal Bark, started it. Instead of invading the territory of the Apennine peninsula from the sea, Hannibal led his troops around - through Spain and the Alps, having won along the way a number of important victories (among them the famous battle in the minority near Cannes in 216, which struck the republic and inclined to the side of Hannibal A significant part of Italy). However, the Romans still managed to survive, and then again to transfer the fighting to Africa. After a series of victories, they regained a military advantage, and the position of the Punjians was greatly complicated.

The decisive battle, which determined the victory of Rome, was the Battle of Zama in 202. And again Carthage was able to recover from defeat. Fifty years later the city again became one of the richest in the Mediterranean. This situation, firstly, hampered the economy of Rome, and secondly, it was simply dangerous.

In 149 BC the republic started the third war. Having concluded an agreement with the hostile Carthage of the Numudian king Massanissa, the Romans received an occasion for a military invasion. Having landed troops on the coast of North Africa, where Carthage is located, Rome's troops besieged the city. This lasted for three years, but ended with its capture, almost complete destruction and destruction of a significant part of the population. Later the city continued to exist up to the Arab conquests, but it never had any important meaning.

Where Carthage is modern (or rather, its remains), in the immediate vicinity is located the city of Tunis - the capital of the eponymous state in the Maghreb.