Ancient site · City
Carthage
A city on the coast of Tunisia founded by Phoenician settlers from Tyre, traditionally in 814 BCE. It grew into the capital of a trading empire across the western Mediterranean and fought Rome in the three Punic Wars, including Hannibal's invasion of Italy.
Rome destroyed it in 146 BCE; Julius Caesar founded a new city on the site, which became one of the largest in the Roman West until its destruction in 698 CE. Traces of its circular naval harbour survive. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Dates
- founded c. 814 BCE (traditional date); destroyed 146 BCE; Roman city to 698 CE
- Still standing
- Yes
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Yes
- Location
- 36.84° N, 10.33° E
How we know
Greek and Roman writers describe the city; its founding date of 814 BCE comes from later tradition rather than from excavation.
Nearby sites
- Su Nuraxi di Barumini tower 17th–13th century BCE; village to the 6th century BCE
- Ġgantija temples c. 3600–2500 BCE
- Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum c. 4000–2500 BCE
- Pompeii 7th–6th century BCE – 79 CE
- Colosseum 72–80 CE; games until the 6th century
- Pantheon, Rome c. 126 CE; a church since 609