Engineering an Empire – Carthage

 
Today on Far Future Horizons we present the sixth episode of the acclaimed documentary series Engineering an Empire that highlights the engineering and architectural achievements of some of history’s greatest civilizations and the empires they created.

The sixth instalment of this documentary series takes us to the city state of Carthage.

Carthage, a remarkable city-state that dominated the Mediterranean for over 600 years, harnessed their extensive resources to develop some of the ancient world's most groundbreaking technology. For generations, Carthage defined power, strength and ingenuity, but by the third century B.C., the empire's existence was threatened by another emerging superpower, Rome. However, when the Romans engineered their empire, they were only following the lead of the Carthaginians. From the city's grand harbour to the rise of one of history's greatest generals, Hannibal Barca, we will examine the architecture and infrastructure that enabled the rise and fall of the Carthaginian Empire.

Reconstruction of Cartage

After its founding at the end of the seventh century B.C., Carthage soon grew into one of greatest civilizations of the Ancient World – a remarkable city-state that dominated the Mediterranean for nearly 600 years. Over that span of time, Carthaginian engineers harnessed their extensive resources and manpower to develop some of the ancient world’s most groundbreaking technology. Like the Egyptian masters before them, they built colossal structures able to withstand the ravages of time and man.

Ancient Carthage

Carthage was the world’s first great city to have indoor plumbing, which supplied a constant stream of water to the world’s first high-rise apartment towers. The city was protected by a massive harbor that held hundreds of war ships–which formed the core of antiquity’s most formidable navy. And to protect the capital, an intricate series of fortifications were erected that stretched for more than 23 miles, and housed a standing army of more than 20,000 men.

For generations, Carthage defined power, strength and ingenuity for the ancient world. But by the third century B.C., the empire’s existence was threatened by another emerging superpower across the pond– Rome. The two civilizations clashed in a series of three epic wars; a to–the–death struggle for supremacy that would last 118 years. When all was said and done, it would be the Romans who would inherit unrivalled status as the world’s lone superpower, and go on to redefine the meaning of power and ingenuity.

But when the Romans engineered their empire, they were only following the lead of the Carthaginians.

Engineering an Empire is a documentary series  which explores the engineering and architectural feats that were characteristic of some of the greatest societies on this planet, and is available on DVD from Amazon.com and the History Channel’s online store.

Engineering an Empire - Carthage 

Ancient Carthage ~ 3D film 

Carthage was founded in the 9th century B.C. on the Gulf of Tunis and was home to a brilliant civilization. Carthage occupied territories belonging to Rome, which finally destroyed its rival. A second -- Roman -- Carthage was then established on the ruins of the first.

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