Carthage was founded in the ninth century BC by Phoenicians from Tyre and grew to a prosperous empire around the Mediterranean . Conflicts with Rome and Syracuse resulted in the Punic Wars, during the second of which Hannibal from Carthage famously crossed the Alps with elephants . After the Third Punic War (149 to 146 BC), Rome completely destroyed Carthage, but rebuilt the city which became one of the greatest cities of the Roman Empire . Late in the seventh century, Muslim conquered Carthage and destroyed it once again.
Of the ruins of Carthage, the Roman Amphitheater is one of the best preserved . Unfortunately, the archeological significance of the site was reduced by repeated plundering of the metal holding the stones together and the subsequent undocumented restoration of part of the amphitheater.
The Roman Amphitheater in Carthage
SOURCE: The Roman Amphitheater in Carthage (Carthage, Tunis Governorate, Tunisia); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 07 August 2011.
Lower Level of the Roman Amphitheater in Carthage
SOURCE: Lower Level of the Roman Amphitheater in Carthage (Carthage, Tunis Governorate, Tunisia); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 07 August 2011.
Detail of Wall in the Roman Amphitheater in Carthage
SOURCE:  Detail of Wall in the Roman Amphitheater in Carthage (Carthage, Tunis Governorate, Tunisia); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 07 August 2011.
Gated Recesses in the Roman Amphitheater in Carthage
SOURCE:  Gated Recesses in the Roman Amphitheater in Carthage (Carthage, Tunis Governorate, Tunisia); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 07 August 2011.
Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko
