It was founded by settlers from Phoenician Tyre. However based on modern science and archeology, the year of city’s foundation has been set at 814 BC on the basis of the writings of ancient authors starting from Timaeus of Taormina who lived in the 3rd century.
The foundation of Carthage was part of Phoenician expansion to the west and the associated colonization that aimed not only at establishing trading posts and securing sea route, but also at founding self-sufficient and autonomous city.
Carthage were very weak at first, grew larger by insensible degrees, in the country where it was founded.
The leadership of Carthage arose as a reaction to the Greek threat to the Phoenician position in the western Mediterranean.
Its dominion was not long confined to Africa. This city extended her conquests into Europe, invaded Sardinia, made herself mistress of a great part of Sicily and reduced to her subjection of almost the whole of Spain.
Carthage’s maritime economy was based upon system of treaty trade, which set commercial parameters and offered trade protection for its respective participants.
Rome final war with Carthage in 149 – 146 BC destroyed Carthage city. The city was razed, the survivors sold into slavery and the land turned into province.
Ancient history of Carthage (Tunisia)
