This book traces the formation of the archaeological site of Carthage and how it re-emerged in the minds of European antiquarians and travellers in the early modern world. For almost 1,600 years the ancient city sat on the north coast of Africa, dominating the central Mediterranean until its fall in 698 CE. One of the oldest cities in the Mediterranean, it was founded in legend by the Tyrian queen Dido and destroyed after epic wars with Rome. It was soon reborn as a Roman city, and late in antiquity evolved into a centre for Christian worship. In the 17th and 18th centuries, when European explorers first arrived, searching for the site of Carthage, they were amazed that almost nothing of its former glory remained and lamented its loss. The gradual and sometimes controversial exploration of Carthage has, over the last two centuries, brought the story of this renowned ancient city back into the public imagination. From the first discovery of Punic artifacts to the plunder of the site for the enrichment of European museums, the book follows the many personalities whose interests and diligence led to the establishment of scientific archaeological excavations and the re-emergence of Carthage from the ruins.

THE Melcart, the sacred ship of Carthage, was on its homeward voyage from Tyre, and had accomplished the greater part of its journey in safety; in fact, it was only a score or so of miles away from its destination. It had carried the mission sent, year by year, to the famous shrine of the god whose name it bore, the great temple which the Greeks called by the title of the Tyrian Hercules. This was too solemn and important a function to be dropped on any pretext whatsoever. Never, even in the time of her deepest distress, had Carthage failed to pay this dutiful tribute to the patron deity of her mother-city; and, indeed, she had never been in sorer straits than now. Rome, in the early days her ally, then her rival, and now her oppressor, was resolved to destroy her, forcing her into war by demanding impossible terms of submission. Her old command of the sea had long since departed. It was only by stealth and subtlety that one of her ships could hope to traverse unharmed the five hundred leagues of sea that lay between her harbour and the old capital of Phœnicia. The Melcart had hitherto been fortunate. She was a first-rate sailer, equally at home with the light breeze to which she could spread all her canvas and the gale which reduced her to a single sprit-sail. She had a picked crew, with not a slave on the rowing benches, for there were always freeborn Carthaginians ready to pull an oar in the Melcart. Hanno, her captain, namesake and descendant of the great discoverer who had sailed as far down the African coast as Sierra Leone itself, was famous for his seamanship from the Pillars of Hercules to the harbours of Syria. The old man—it was sixty years since he had made his first voyage—was watching intently a dark speck which had been visible for some time in the light of early dawn upon the north-western horizon. "Mago," he said at last, turning to his nephew and lieutenant, "does it seem to you to become bigger? your eyes are better than mine."

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The Phoenician cities were not a united political entity until over a thousand years later, when the Romans created the province of Phoenicia. However, despite their weaknesses and the threat posed by the major powers of the Near East, they had long safeguarded their political independence. #2 The Phoenician city states were able to continue their independence and prosperity by being masters of sea. They were able to exchange luxury goods with other states, and they used these goods to transport bulk raw materials back to the Near East. #3 The collapse of the Bronze Age palace societies and the emergence of a free market led to a golden age for the Phoenician city states. The relationship between business and the state was further reinforced by the presence of the patriarchs of the mercantile firms on a powerful council of elders. #4 The Phoenician cities were able to expand their trading networks greatly after they were able to avoid any threats from their neighbors. They began to export luxury goods, such as embroidered garments and cloth dyed in deepest purple.

“A very good read . . . and a reminder that the Romans were hardly the only imperialist warmongers of the ancient world.” —StrategyPage Carthage was the western Mediterranean’s first superpower, long before Rome, and her military history was powerful, eventful, and checkered even before her “Punic Wars” against Rome. Although characterized in the surviving sources and modern studies as a predominantly mercantile state, Carthage fought many wars, both aggressive and defensive, before and in between the contests with the Roman parvenus. The Greek states of Sicily, above all Syracuse under its tyrants Dionysius the Great and then Agathocles, were her most resolute opponents, but in North Africa itself, in Sardinia, and later on in Spain she won—and sometimes lost—major wars. This is the first full-length study dedicated to these other wars that furthered Carthage’s interests for over half a millennium. Based firmly and analytically on ancient sources, it also offers the insight that Carthage, though usually considered a naval power, did more fighting on land than at sea—and with more success. Includes illustrations