Carthage was a Phoenician city-state on the coast of North Africa (the site of modern-day Tunis) which, prior the conflict with Rome known as the Punic Wars (264-146 BCE), was the largest, most affluent, and powerful political entity in the Mediterranean. The city was originally known as Kart-hadasht (new city) to distinguish it from the older Phoenician city of Utica nearby. The Greeks called the city Karchedon and the Romans turned this name into Carthago.
I watched the video. While it is informative, it makes mistakes and glosses over lots and provides an interesting interpretation, particularly of the Second Punic War. For example, saying that Scipio was sent to “Spain” when Hannibal invaded the Italian peninsula is somewhat of a misrepresentation inferring it was the same Scipio Africanus that defeated Hannibal. The Publius Cornelius Scipio who eventually defeated Hannibal at Zama fought at Cannae, survived, and escaped back to Rome. He actually threatened to kill anybody who was ready to desert Rome at that point in the Senate. His father and uncle Publius Cornellius Scipio and Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio were sent at the outset of the war to control the Iberian peninsula. After their deaths at the hands of the Carthaginians with their regional mercenary allies, like the Celtiberians, the younger Scipio was sent. The Suffetes in Carthage as with the system of government - it is inferred - was controlled at the start of the Second Punic War by the Hanno faction who were against war with Rome. That changed later in the war after Hannibal’s success where he was engaged in the siege of Tarentum at the time for access to a port to receive supplies. He returned to Carthage and made his case for support. That was years later when – it is inferred – the Barca faction got control of the Suffetes and government in Carthage – at least one of the Suffetes dealing with foreign policy. Carthage then entered the war with commitment from their Senate and supplied Hannibal with elephants and grain etc and then sent the Carthaginian army off with all the boats they needed to launch from Lilybaeum and Agrigentum – Punic ports – the siege of Syracuse. That was the prize. It was an important and huge city by ancient standards and their desired target to control. Bomilcar was assigned to ship supplies from Carthage to Hannibal. He did not engage when the Roman Marcellus from Syracuse – in a weak position – sailed out to meet him to battle at sea. Hence, the initial march on Saguntum was really Hannibal’s initiative following in the footsteps of his father who had the young Hannibal in Carthage swear to Baal Hammon, I think, that he would never be a friend of Rome, and seek its destruction. His brother Hasdrubal - I think it was - advised him when he arrived on the Iberian Peninsula to keep possession of himself and develop the Iberian Peninsula for Carthage where they could increase their wealth and influence. The Carthaginian Heavy Infantry on the Iberian Peninsula however cheered when Hannibal arrived because they knew - and were of the same frame of mind - to take the war back to Rome, to restore pride and gain vengeance for what they perceived was a humiliating defeat in the First Punic War. Hasdrubal the Fair – Hannibal’s brother-in-law - was killed by a Celtiberian slave after the death of his king, King Tagus. He responded in revenge as was their tradition. Hannibal had other brothers, notably Mago, who recommended that he march on Rome after Cannae which was likely the best time. With the momentum of his military success so far in three major battles with the Romans - Trebia, Trasimene and now Cannae - providing indefatigable moral power. Hannibal would never be in such a viable position again.
Thank you for the detailed feedback on the video found on that page. Of course, a 15 minute video has to make concessions to brevity and will not explain all of the details. That’s why it’s great that you’ve provided additional context in this forum post.
