Battle of Carthage (c.149 BC)
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{{Infobox Military Conflict |image= Image:Carthage location.png |caption= The location of the city of Carthage |conflict=Battle of Carthage |partof=the Third Punic War |date= c.149 BC – spring of 146 BC |place=Carthage (near modern Tunis) |result=Roman victory |combatant1=Roman Republic |combatant2=Carthage |commander1=Scipio Aemilianus |commander2=Unknown |strength1=40,000 |strength2=90,000 |casualties1=17,000 |casualties2=62,000 }}
- This article is about the battle ending the Roman Republic/Carthaginian Third Punic War. For other "Battles of Carthage" see the disambugation page.
The Battle of Carthage was the major act of the Third Punic War between the Phoenician city of Carthage in Africa (near present-day Tunis) and the Roman Republic. It was a siege operation, starting sometime between 149 and 147 BC, and ending in the spring of 146 BC with the sack and complete destruction of the city of Carthage.
After a Roman army under Manilius landed in Africa in 149 BC, Carthage surrendered and handed over hostages and arms. However, the Romans demanded the complete destruction of the city, and surprisingly -- to the Romans, though perhaps less surprising to the modern student -- the city refused, the faction advocating submission overturned by one in favor of defense.
The Carthaginians manned the walls and defied the Romans, a situation which lasted for two years due to poor Roman commanders. Then the Romans elected the young but popular Scipio Aemilianus as consul, a special law being passed to lift the age restriction. Scipio restored discipline, defeated the Carthaginians in a field battle, and besieged the city closely, constructing a mole to block the harbor.
In the spring of 146 BC the Romans broke through the city wall and captured the city after house-to-house fighting. An estimated 50,000 surviving inhabitants were sold into slavery. It is rumored, though not supported by the primary sources, that after the fall of Carthage, the Romans sowed salt into the soil in order to ensure that nothing would ever grow there again.Template:AncientRome-battle-stub Template:Africa-hist-stub