For centuries, the powerful army of the Roman Empire laid waste to many strongholds of their enemies. Among these, the Battle of Carthage is considered one of the bloodiest sieges perpetrated by the Romans.
Carthage was once one of the most formidable commercial and military powers in the ancient Mediterranean region. The Roman Empire posed the greatest challenge they faced in their history.
The Battle of Carthage is considered one of the bloodiest sieges by the Romans. (Illustrative image).
The Romans launched two wars to conquer Carthage but were unsuccessful. By 149 BC, in the Third Punic War, Scipio Aemilianus, a Roman consul, became the commander of the expeditionary forces.
In the early stages of the conflict, Carthage achieved several significant victories and repelled the enemy’s assaults. However, the Romans eventually succeeded in blocking all supply routes to the city.
The Carthaginians attempted to break the siege but failed. Ultimately, after three years, the Romans captured the city in 146 BC.
In a bid to avenge the losses suffered after years of war with Carthage, the Romans turned the city into a sea of blood.
They killed a large portion of the population within the city, amounting to hundreds of thousands, regardless of age or gender, and enslaved around 50,000 survivors. All major buildings in Carthage were destroyed by the Romans before they withdrew.
After the war, the remaining territories of Carthage were annexed into Rome. With the fall of Carthage, the Carthaginian civilization was obliterated.
