Ancient Carthage Facts & Worksheets

Located in what is now Tunisia, ancient Carthage was a major Phoenician metropolis. Starting in the ninth century BCE and ending in 146 BCE, it was a prominent maritime and trade center in the Mediterranean. Carthage is known for its powerful navy, rivalry with Rome, and legendary leader Hannibal, who famously crossed the Alps on elephants during the Second Punic War.

See the fact file below for more information about the Ancient Carthage, or you can download our 25-page Ancient Carthage worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

• One of the earliest Mediterranean cities, Carthage, was established by Phoenician settlers from Tyre in 814 BCE. Because of its strategic location, it began to thrive as a commerce hub. 
• Nevertheless, the Punic Wars broke out due to its growth, which pitted it against Rome. Carthage may have lost the war, but this significantly impacted commerce, culture, and military strategy. 
• Carthage flourished into a formidable maritime empire throughout its history, controlling the Mediterranean trade routes. 
• To further extend its dominance, the city-state set up colonies and outposts all across the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, North Africa, and the rest of Europe. 
• Trade, especially in precious metals and silver, helped Carthage’s elites become affluent and gave the city the economic firepower it needed to pursue its military goals. Carthage left an everlasting impression on the ancient world through its cultural and economic legacies, even after it fell to Rome. 
• The political system of Carthage was an oligarchy in which a small number of affluent families had disproportionate influence. Despite internal turmoil and battles for supremacy, the city remained stable and prosperous for centuries. 
• A significant part of Carthage’s cultural identity came from the city’s religious activities, which included the worship of Tanit and Baal Hammon. But in 146 BCE, it was destroyed due to its jealousy of Rome, ending an age and establishing Roman dominance in the Mediterranean.

SOCIAL CLASSES

• The Carthaginian aristocracy was a tiny but powerful aristocratic group controlling the government and the economy. Merchants, craftspeople, and traders made up the lower echelons of the city’s economic hierarchy. 
• Enslaved people worked as farmhands, household servants, and industrial workers; slavery was common. Despite these differences, Carthage’s diverse population, including Phoenicians, native North Africans, Greeks, and others, added to its cultural wealth.
• Strong ties and duties among relatives reflected the importance of family in Carthaginian society. The ancient Greeks and Romans granted women greater autonomy than other ancient societies, allowing them to take charge of the home and even participate in religious rituals. 
• Math, literature, and philosophy were among the many subjects taught to youngsters because of their high regard for education. Furthermore, the Carthaginians built magnificent docks, aqueducts, and defensive walls, earning them a reputation as master engineers.

FAMOUS PEOPLE

• Hannibal, a master military strategist from Carthage, is renowned for his audacious tactics in the Second Punic War, including the now-famous Alps crossing on elephant backs. 
• Dido, Carthage’s iconic queen and founder, is another famous Carthaginian whose tale appears in classical works like Virgil’s “Aeneid.” Furthermore, Hannibal’s father, the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, was instrumental in increasing Carthaginian control over the Mediterranean.
• Hanno the Navigator, another prominent Carthaginian, was responsible for a well-known exploration and colonization mission that sailed the coast of West Africa in the fifth century BCE. 
• Agricultural practices were impacted by the writings of the Carthaginian statesman and author Mago in his book “The Book of the Carthaginian Agronomists,” which was read and studied by farmers around the ancient Mediterranean. Sophonisba, the daughter of a Carthaginian general, also became famous for her role in the political intrigues during the Punic Wars.

GOVERNMENT

• The republican and oligarchy aspects of Carthage’s administration made it stand out. Suffetes were the city’s civil and military head magistrates responsible for governing the city. Their responsibilities included overseeing the military, handling foreign relations, and administering justice; they were elected yearly. 
• The Senate ranked underneath the suffetes, a body of affluent and influential citizens who served as advisors on crucial state concerns. Historians disagree on how much influence Carthage’s assembly of citizens had in government, although it did have some. 
• Maritime expansion and trade were Carthage’s top policy priorities. The city-state set up colonies and trading ports all over the Mediterranean to increase its commercial power and access to precious resources. 
• Carthage also maintained domestic stability and funded its military activities with a sophisticated system of taxes and regulations.
• Criminal and civil law were both fully developed in Carthage’s legal system. The city’s code of laws drew from Phoenician practices while reflecting the multiethnic character of Carthaginian civilization.
• Appointed or elected magistrates and judges were responsible for administering the laws. The seriousness of a crime determines the punishment, which could range from fines and jail time to the death penalty in the most severe instances. 

RELIGION

• Carthaginian religion was polytheistic, drawing from a pantheon of deities that drew from local North African beliefs as well as those of the Phoenicians. Among the many gods worshiped by the Carthaginians were Baal Hammon, mainly linked to the sun and fertility; Tanit, who was the goddess of love, fertility, and the moon; and Melqart, who was a patron of Tyre and a shield for traders and sailors.
• Animal sacrifices, libations, and offerings were commonplace in Carthaginian religious ceremonies, which sought the gods’ favor. Furthermore, some cults were devoted to certain gods; for example, there was the cult of Moloch, which included the ritual killing of children, although the exact nature and scope of this activity are still up for question among experts. In general, the religion of the Carthaginians had a significant impact on their culture.

LEGACY

• Ancient Carthage left behind a rich and varied legacy. Carthage made an impression on the Old World and beyond, even though Rome ultimately defeated it:
•  Carthage’s commercial might and extensive marine trade network impacted the region’s economic growth. The city’s ports and trading colonies facilitated the ancient world’s commodities, ideas, and culture flow.
• The strategic naval tactics and employment of elephants in battle were among Carthage’s military inventions that shaped warfare tactics and strategies for centuries to come.
• Carthage’s religious traditions and gods, like Tanit and Baal Hammon, impacted the religious beliefs and practices of the civilizations that came after them in the region.
• While most of the Carthaginian literature remains lost to time, intellectuals and scholars of the city had an impact on subjects like astronomy, philosophy, and agriculture.
• The relics, defensive walls, and archaeological sites of Carthage shed light on the city’s engineering, architecture, and construction practices of antiquity. In sum, ancient Carthage left behind a legacy that attests to its impact on the growth of Mediterranean civilization and its indelible mark on human history. 

AFTERMATH

• Following Carthage’s last defeat, the surrounding region was included in the Roman province. Carthage was not a city again until the reign of Emperor Augustus (27 BCE–14 CE).
• On this same site, a new city, Carthage, was established. By the first century, with a peak population of 500,000, it was the second-largest metropolis in the western half of the Roman Empire. It was the hub of the Roman Province of Africa, one of the empire’s principal food baskets. Early Christianity also developed a stronghold in Carthage. Carthage is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is still a well-liked residential and tourism destination.

Ancient Carthage Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Ancient Carthage across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Ancient Carthage. Carthage is known for its powerful navy, rivalry with Rome, and legendary leader Hannibal, who famously crossed the Alps on elephants during the Second Punic War.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Ancient Carthage Facts
2. Ancient Puzzle
3. Match it!
4. Be Artsy
5. Q&A
6. Ancient Interview
7. Coin Master
8. Your Own Writing
9. Creative Writing
10. DIg Deeper
11. Scrapbook Making

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was Carthage located?

Carthage was situated on the northern coast of Africa, in present-day Tunisia. It was strategically positioned on the Gulf of Tunis, allowing it to control trade routes in the western Mediterranean.

What was the significance of Carthage in ancient times?

Carthage was one of the most powerful and prosperous cities in the ancient world. It was a major maritime and mercantile power, controlling trade across the Mediterranean Sea. Its influence extended over North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, and parts of Spain.

What were the Punic Wars, and how did they impact Carthage

The Punic Wars were a series of three conflicts fought between Rome and Carthage over dominance in the western Mediterranean. The wars lasted from 264 BCE to 146 BCE. Carthage initially held the upper hand but eventually lost to Rome. The outcome of the wars led to the destruction of Carthage and the rise of Rome as the dominant power in the region.

What were some notable achievements of Carthage?

Carthage was renowned for its maritime prowess, with a formidable navy that dominated trade routes. The city was also known for its skilled artisans, particularly in metalworking and pottery. Carthaginian merchants established extensive trading networks, contributing to the city’s wealth and influence.

What ultimately led to the downfall of Carthage?

Several factors contributed to the decline and eventual destruction of Carthage. The rivalry with Rome, culminating in the Punic Wars, weakened Carthage militarily and economically. Additionally, internal political instability, social unrest, and conflicts with neighboring states further weakened the city. After its defeat in the Third Punic War, Carthage was sacked and destroyed by the Romans in 146 BCE, bringing an end to its existence as a major power in the Mediterranean.

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