Leon's History Notes

Carthage

Carthaginian wealth was based on Mediterranean trade and a network of Phoenician-founded settlements. Its position near routes between Africa, Sicily, and the western Mediterranean made it a major commercial hub.

It was governed as an oligarchic republic dominated by wealthy families, with annually elected Suffets as chief executives. The military forces relied heavily on hired foreign troops, including Numidian cavalry, Spanish infantry, and Balearic slingers.

The term “Punic,” derived from the Latin word for Phoenician, was used by Romans to describe the Carthaginians.

Timeline

  1. ~800 BCE: Founded by Phoenician settlers.
  2. ~600-500 BCE: Influence expands across western Mediterranean, with trading posts in North Africa, Iberia, Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily.
  3. ~550 BCE: Phoenician settlements increasingly under Carthaginian influence.
  4. ~480 BCE: Carthage defeated by Greeks at Himera (Sicily), limiting their expansion on the island.
  5. ~406-396 BCE: Carthage captures several Greek cities in Sicily but not Syracuse.
  6. 315-300 BCE: Carthage fought Syracuse (king Agathocles) for control of Sicily, ending in stalemate and Carthage holding west.
  7. 264-241 BCE: First Punic war.
  8. 241-238 BCE: Carthage faced a major revolt by unpaid mercenaries after the war, eventually defeating them.
  9. 237 BCE: Hamilcar Barca began establishing a new Carthaginian empire in Spain (Iberians, Celts, Celtiberians - tribal with constant squabbles).
  10. ~237-229 BCE: Hamilcar expanded across southern and eastern Spain and secured resources (silver and local soldiers).
  11. 228 BCE: Hamilcar died while campaigning in Spain and was succeeded by his son-in-law Hasdrubal.
  12. 228-221 BCE: Hasdrubal consolidated Carthaginian power in Spain and founded New Carthage (Carthago Nova) as his capital.
  13. 226 BCE: Rome and Hasdrubal agreed to the Ebro Treaty; Ebro River becomes the northern limit of Carthaginian expansion in Spain.
  14. 221 BCE: Hasdrubal was assassinated and Hannibal (son of Hamilcar), succeeded him.
  15. ~221-219 BCE: Hannibal expanded Carthaginian territory in Spain, bringing him increasingly into conflict with Rome's ally Saguntum.
  16. 219 BCE: Hannibal besieged and captured Saguntum after an eight-month siege, precipitating the Second Punic War.
  17. 218-201 BCE: Second Punic war.
  18. 201 BCE: Carthage lost its overseas territories, surrendered its fleet, accepted warfare restrictions, and agreed to pay an indemnity.
  19. ~195 BCE: Hannibal went into exile (court of Antiochus III) after political opponents accused him of preparing to renew the war with Rome.
  20. ~183 BCE: Hannibal died in exile at Bithynia, reportedly taking poison to avoid capture by Roman agents.
  21. ~200-160 BCE: Carthage recovered economically, developing trade and agriculture while remaining politically subordinate to Rome.
  22. ~200-150 BCE: Massinissa (king of Numidia and Roman ally), repeatedly seized Carthaginian territory; Rome did failed to protect them.
  23. 151 BCE: Carthage raised an army to defend its territory against Numidia, breaking its treaty restrictions on warfare; the campaign ended in defeat.
  24. 149 BCE: Rome declared war on Carthage (Third Punic War), and demanded that the Carthaginians abandon their city and relocate inland.
  25. 149-146 BCE: Carthage resisted the siege despite disease, shortages, and increasing isolation.
  26. 146 BCE: Rome under Scipio Aemilianus destroyed Carthage; many killed or enslaved, the survivors dispersed. End of the independent Carthaginian state.

Gallery

Carthage on a map
Carthage on a mapvia Britannica

Happening elsewhere at the time

Phoenicians series

  • Carthage