Changes

==Founding==

==Founding==

Carthage was founded by [[Phoenicia]]ns from [[Tyre]] traditionally in 814 B.C. (although archaeological evidence suggests about a century later).<ref>Oxford Companion to Classical Literature</ref> Over the next few centuries it outdid other Phoenician colonies in its area and by the third century B.C. controlled trade in all the islands and much of the coasts of the western [[Mediterranean]]; having displaced the colonial [[Greek]]s (after much bloodshed) and other Phoenician settlements. Its fleets traded as far afield as the [[British Isles]] and down the West African coast. [[Herodotus]] recounts the [[Egypt]]ian king [[Necho II]] commissioning a Carthaginian circumnavigation of Africa in about 600 B.C.

Carthage was founded by [[Phoenicia]]ns from [[Tyre]] traditionally in 814 B.C. (although archaeological evidence suggests about a century later).<ref>Oxford Companion to Classical Literature</ref> Over the next few centuries it outdid other Phoenician colonies in its area and by the third century B.C. controlled trade in all the islands and much of the coasts of the western [[Mediterranean]]; having displaced the colonial [[Greeks]] (after much bloodshed) and other Phoenician settlements. Its fleets traded as far afield as the [[British Isles]] and down the West African coast. [[Herodotus]] recounts the [[Egypt]]ian king [[Necho II]] commissioning a Carthaginian circumnavigation of Africa in about 600 B.C.

==Empire==

==Empire==

Carthaginian navies controlled the Mediterranean sea.  During the third century it became inevitable that Carthage would clash with the increasingly powerful [[Roman Republic]] over issues of trade and the control of [[Sicily]].  While the Carthaginian navy was generally superior to their Roman counterpart, they generally lacked Rome's strength on land or manpower reserves.  Between 264 and 146 B.C. the three [[Punic Wars]] were fought resulting in the gradual chipping away of the Carthaginian empire and ultimately the complete annihilation of Carthage itself and a decree banning its rebuilding.

Carthaginian navies controlled the Mediterranean sea.  During the third century it became inevitable that Carthage would clash with the increasingly powerful [[Roman Republic]] over issues of trade and the control of [[Sicily]].  While the Carthaginian navy was generally superior to their Roman counterpart, they generally lacked Rome's strength on land or manpower reserves.  Between 264 and 146 B.C. the three [[Punic Wars]] were fought resulting in the gradual chipping away of the Carthaginian empire and ultimately the complete [[annihilation]] of Carthage itself and a decree banning its rebuilding.

===Characteristics===

===Characteristics===

The area was overrun by the [[Vandals]] in 439 during the waning period of the Western Roman Empire and was retaken for [[Justinian]] by [[Belisarius]] in 533 during the highpoint of the [[Byzantine Empire]] where they were trying to retake the old Roman lands and reignite the Roman Empire. It remained under Constantinople’s control until the Arab Muslim conquests of the late 7th century when it was once more destroyed. The city virtually disappeared over the ensuing centuries. Archaeological work began in the late 19th century and continues today.

The area was overrun by the [[Vandals]] in 439 during the waning period of the Western Roman Empire and was retaken for [[Justinian]] by [[Belisarius]] in 533 during the highpoint of the [[Byzantine Empire]] where they were trying to retake the old Roman lands and reignite the Roman Empire. It remained under Constantinople’s control until the Arab Muslim conquests of the late 7th century when it was once more destroyed. The city virtually disappeared over the ensuing centuries. Archaeological work began in the late 19th century and continues today.

[[Category:Ancient History]]

[[Category:Ancient History]]

[[Category:African Cities and Towns]]

[[Category:African Cities and Towns]]