an ancient city state, on the N African coast near present-day Tunis. Founded about 800 bc by Phoenician traders, it grew into an empire dominating N Africa and the Mediterranean. Destroyed and then rebuilt by Rome, it was finally razed by the Arabs in 697 ad
See also Punic Wars
Carthage in American English
(ˈkɑrθɪdʒ)
ancient city-state in N Africa, founded (9th cent. b.c.) by Phoenicians near the site of modern Tunis and destroyed by the Romans in 146 b.c. (see Punic Wars): rebuilt by Romans (44 b.c.) & destroyed by Arabs ( a.d. 698)