2nd century BCE – 2nd century BCE
Carthage and North Africa
The destruction of Carthage was the Roman war that ended the city’s independent power in North Africa. After Roman policy shifted toward the kingdom of Masinissa and the Senate accepted the argument that Carthage should be destroyed, the Carthaginians were ordered either to abandon their city or resist. They chose resistance, endured a siege from 149 to 146 BCE, and saw Carthage razed and ceremonially cursed. The event reshaped the political order of the Maghrib without immediately placing all of North Africa under direct Roman rule.
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The Story
For much of the period after the Second Punic War, Rome expected obedience from its allies and dependants. Masinissa understood this political hierarchy and spent decades pressing against Carthaginian territory, while supporting Roman military needs with supplies and troops. Rome initially had little interest in destroying Carthage, but from 167 BCE its policies became increasingly severe and increasingly favorable to Masinissa.
Roman opinion gradually moved toward the position associated with the elder Cato: Carthage had to be destroyed. Although the city had recovered remarkably from the Second Punic War, the fear that it could again threaten Rome was described as irrational. Carthage was presented with a stark choice—abandon the city and move inland or face war and its consequences.
The Carthaginians chose resistance, and a Roman army arrived in Africa in 149 BCE. Despite Rome’s overwhelming superiority, Carthage held out until 146 BCE. Some Libyans supported the city, and Masinissa himself resented the Roman action because it destroyed his long-standing hope of acquiring Carthage, although he was compelled to accept the outcome.
Several established Phoenician and Carthaginian settlements, including Utica, Hadrumetum, and Thapsus, transferred their allegiance to Rome and avoided destruction. Carthage itself was razed to the ground and its site ceremonially cursed. The symbolic act expressed the accumulated Roman fear and hostility toward the power that had most forcefully resisted Roman domination in the Mediterranean.
2nd century BCE – 2nd century BCE
Carthage and North Africa
The destruction of Carthage was the Roman war that ended the city’s independent power in North Africa. After Roman policy shifted toward the kingdom of Masinissa and the Senate accepted the argument that Carthage should be destroyed, the Carthaginians were ordered either to abandon their city or resist. They chose resistance, endured a siege from 149 to 146 BCE, and saw Carthage razed and ceremonially cursed. The event reshaped the political order of the Maghrib without immediately placing all of North Africa under direct Roman rule.
Continue exploring
The Story
For much of the period after the Second Punic War, Rome expected obedience from its allies and dependants. Masinissa understood this political hierarchy and spent decades pressing against Carthaginian territory, while supporting Roman military needs with supplies and troops. Rome initially had little interest in destroying Carthage, but from 167 BCE its policies became increasingly severe and increasingly favorable to Masinissa.
Roman opinion gradually moved toward the position associated with the elder Cato: Carthage had to be destroyed. Although the city had recovered remarkably from the Second Punic War, the fear that it could again threaten Rome was described as irrational. Carthage was presented with a stark choice—abandon the city and move inland or face war and its consequences.
The Carthaginians chose resistance, and a Roman army arrived in Africa in 149 BCE. Despite Rome’s overwhelming superiority, Carthage held out until 146 BCE. Some Libyans supported the city, and Masinissa himself resented the Roman action because it destroyed his long-standing hope of acquiring Carthage, although he was compelled to accept the outcome.
Several established Phoenician and Carthaginian settlements, including Utica, Hadrumetum, and Thapsus, transferred their allegiance to Rome and avoided destruction. Carthage itself was razed to the ground and its site ceremonially cursed. The symbolic act expressed the accumulated Roman fear and hostility toward the power that had most forcefully resisted Roman domination in the Mediterranean.
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