The Carthage Punic Ports were the old ports of the city of Carthage that were in operation during ancient times. Carthage was first and foremost a thalassocracy, [1] that is, a power that was referred to as an Empire of the Seas, whose primary force was based on the scale of its trade. The Carthaginians, however, were not the only ones to ...

Ancient Carthage (/ ˈ k ɑːr θ ɪ dʒ / KAR-thij; Punic: 𐤒𐤓𐤕𐤟𐤇𐤃𐤔𐤕, lit. ' New City ') was an ancient Semitic civilisation based in North Africa. [3] Initially a settlement in present-day Tunisia, it later became a city-state, and then an empire.

Most of what we know today on the Roman ports of Carthage was summarised by Henry Hurst (2010). One might schematise Carthage’s port system by distinguishing three main port areas: Eastern shore area between “de Roquefeuil’s Quadrilateral” …

Modern reconstruction of Punic Carthage. The circular harbor at the front is the Cothon, the military port of Carthage, where all of Carthage's warships were anchored.

May 26, 2024 · The Punic Port of Carthage stands as a testament to the ingenuity, ambition, and maritime prowess of the Carthaginian civilization. Its advanced design and impressive scale not only influenced later port construction in the ancient world but also served as a symbol of Carthage‘s power and prestige.

May 1, 2020 · Famous Carthaginian Great Harbour was an artificial protected water reservoir. In ancient times this type of port was called the Greek cothon ("drinking vessel"). These types of constructions were built especially in lands controlled by Phoenicians, e.g. Sicily or Cyprus.

The ports were filled in by Scipio after Carthage’s destruction in 146 BC, but in the 2nd century AD the Romans reinvented the islet as a circular forum, with two temples, and used the port to house their merchant fleet, which shipped wheat to Rome.

Today, the archaeological site has a vast range of ruins to explore and the best way to begin is probably by visiting Byrsa Hill and the Carthage Museum. Among the best-preserved Punic remains at the site are the Magon Quarter, Punic Port and unnerving Sanctuary of Tophet.

Ancient Carthage was a powerhouse of maritime innovation, defined by its incredible ports. These ports were not just places for ships to dock; they were masterpieces of design and engineering. The Punic Port, in particular, stood out as a symbol of Carthaginian ingenuity and reflected the city’s status as a dominant force in the Mediterranean.

The Port of Carthage was one of the most important ports in the Mediterranean for many centuries, until the city was destroyed in 146 BC during the Third Punic War. Today, the port has been reconstructed and is still in use as a commercial and tourist port.