Carthage - details and images

Carthage (from the Phoenician Kart-Hadaşt meaning "New City", written without vowels as in all Semitic languages as QRT HDŞT in Latin Carthago) was an ancient city in North Africa, located on the eastern shore of Tunis current in now a suburb outside of modern Tunis in Tunisia. Spoken language is called the Punic Carthaginians, being one of the ancient Semitic languages, which originated from the Phoenician language.

Cartagena is undoubtedly one of the sites most representative of Tunisia.

Byrsa Hill was founded in the year 814 by the Phoenicians led by Queen î.Hr.de Didona - Elyssa, stretching over an area of 40 square kilometers and have three zones: the port of Salammbo Acropolis, Agora and Megara, an agricultural area .

Due to its strategic location and good commercial, Carthage meet rapid growth, creating your own empire in the western Mediterranean. After fighting that lasted for about a century, Carthage manages to take hold on the island of Sicily, which draws strong reaction from Rome but who are feeling increasingly threatened.

Thus, since 264 BC. Carthage Roman Empire faced a series of violent wars known as Punic.
First Punic War (264-241 BC) was fought in Sicily and ended with Romans victory. Carthage was led by Hamilcar Barcas, father of Hannibal.

Second Punic War (218-201 BC) was triggered by Hannibal, which established peace in Spain and came to the gates of Rome. Finally, the Romans led by Scipio Africanus, Hannibal defeated Zama (202 BC). Carthage obtain a humiliating peace.
The third Punic War (149-146 BC) was triggered by the Romans. Under the leadership of Hannibal, Carthage was rebuilt and strengthened, threatening the position of Rome and affect its prestige. During this period, the Roman senator Cato the Elder became famous through his insistent demand "Delenda Carthago" (Carthage must be destroyed), the Romans emerged victorious from the war. Fortress Carthage was defeated by the Romans and the capital was completely destroyed in 146 BC Carthaginian territory was turned into a thriving Romanian province (granary of Rome), the ruins of once grand houses built by the Romans vase stand testimony to this day.

After the Romans, Carthage was conquered by the Vandals in the fifth century and sixth century Byzantine. In the seventh century was abrabo start-Muslim. In time the Roman-Christian culture has been replaced with Arabic, and then Islam.
Numerous archaeological sites of Carthage area once held the fame time he had the Roman Empire region.

Byrsa Hill was always considered, and rightly so, as the citadel, the acropolis of Carthage. This is an extremely well-defended fortress, which dominates the port and the first Phoenician settlement. During the Punic, top of the hill was dominated by Temple Eshmoun served as the last refuge of the last defenders of Carthage. During Romanian, his place was taken by Eshmoun Esculapio.

Punic Ports underlying Byrsa hill, the Tunis gulf between the two existing lagoons (one circular and one rectangular) were constructed to fulfill both the role of commercial port, and military port. Salammbo Quarter preserved remains of ancient Punic ports, the foundation of Carthaginian power in time of Hamilcar and Hannibal Rome and the source of envy.
Sanctuary of Tophet Punic ports located near where Didona - Elyssa, rebellious daughter of the king landed in Tyre, 814 BC, founding the first settlement "Kart Hadasht" Here children were sacrificed in honor of the gods Baal Hammon and Tanita.

The famous baths of Antonin basement was not only preserved, but there is a model that reproduces them. As the name implies, they were built under the Emperor Antonin (142-162).
Thermae itself occupied the first floor. Was situated in the center meeting rooms, south-east cold water pools and ponds northwest of hot water. In the basement, rooms were large sewage crossed for staff. With their impressive size, were probably among the most important of the Roman baths.
Roman Theatre - one of the largest in the Roman Empire, with a capacity of almost 11,000 people is where today's International Music Festival takes place.
           
Roman Amphitheater - shelter fights gladiators or wild animals. Unfortunately today than what subsists of visitors admired in the Middle Ages.
Built in the first century and rebuilt by Emperor Julius Caesar, this theater is an arena of size 64 X 36 m, surrounded by a podium erected in the opposite quadratum 2.5 meters tall and can get 30,000 guests.

St. Louis Cathedral was built in XIX century by Cardinal Lavigerie the place where it is assumed that the French king Louis IX has spent recent days, moreover, is found inside a small cenotaph that holds the earthly remains the only canonised king of France. Imposing building (65 m long, 174 marble columns, stained-284) dominate Byrsa hill. Since 1964 the cathedral has never served as a place of worship taking Acropolium name in 1990 and currently hosts classical music concerts and exhibitions.

He Karite Damous Basilica is the largest Christian place of worship in Carthage. Excavations have provided fragments of inscriptions, sarcophagi and especially important two marble reliefs, one representing the "birth of Jesus announced to the shepherds" and other "Adoration of the Magi", both preserved at the Museum of Carthage.

Zaghouan aqueduct. Carthage city was supplied with water through a 132 km long aqueduct, built between 120-131. Hadrian subject to the king, restored in 200 by Severus seventh, which brought water from the massive mountain Djebel Zaghouan. The remains of this ancient Roman aqueduct can still be seen to Mohammed (south of Tunis).

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