Carthage

Carthage, a Phoenician colony founded near modern Tunis (c. 814 BCE), became the western Mediterranean's dominant commercial power. Three Punic Wars against Rome (264-146 BCE) defined the Mediterranean's destiny: Hannibal's genius nearly destroyed Rome in the Second Punic War (218-202 BCE), but Scipio Africanus's victory at Zama reversed the tide. The Third Punic War ended with Rome's total destruction of Carthage (146 BCE).

• Existed: 814 BCE – 146 BCE
• Type: Entity
• Government: Oligarchic republic: suffetes (two annually elected magistrates) + Council of Elders (104-member court) + popular assembly
• Capital: Carthage (near modern Tunis)