Call number
939.73 MIL
Collection
Genres
Publication
Viking (2011), Edition: 1st Us Edition, 544 pages
Description
The struggle to the death between the Carthaginians and the Romans was one of the defining dramas of the ancient world. In an epic series of land and sea battles, both sides came close to victory before the Carthaginians finally succumbed and their capital city, history, and culture were almost utterly erased. Drawing on a wealth of new archaeological research, Richard Miles vividly brings to life this lost empire--from its origins among the Phoenician settlements of Lebanon to its apotheosis as the greatest sea power in the Mediterranean. And at the heart of the history of Carthage lies the extraordinary figure of Hannibal--the scourge of Rome and one of the greatest military leaders, but a man who also unwittingly led his people to catastrophe.--From publisher description.… (more)
Media reviews
"An ambitious scholarly work spanning eight centuries, from 150 years before the founding of Carthage by Phoenicians to its obliteration by the Romans in 146 BCE."
"Drawing deeply upon fresh archeological evidence, Miles dynamically recreates daily life in ancient Carthage by examining the numerous inscriptions and monuments that bring to life the religious and public rituals of the city's inhabitants."
Bertolt Brecht found in Carthage a metaphor for German hubris: "Great Carthage drove three wars. After the first one it was still powerful. After the second one it was still inhabitable. After the third one it was no longer possible to find her." Luckily, Miles has found more than enough of her in
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this fascinating read. Show Less
This fine book is an extended study of Rome’s Other, the north African Phoenician colony of Carthage ( kart hadasht , “new town”), by a young Cambridge scholar who has been excavating the site for some years now and has taken the opportunity to produce a general historical and cultural study
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of the city-state which gave Rome such a run for its money. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member cwhouston
There's probably not much point in describing the content of this book, as this information is readily available, so I'll concentrate on what I think of how it was delivered:
This book is truely a great read. It's remarkable that this amount of analysis and historiography has been combined with the
In my opinion, Richard Miles style is as easy to follow as the much acclaimed Tom Holland, albeit with less humour. I'll be pre-ordering his next title 'Ancient Worlds' on the strength of this.
This book is truely a great read. It's remarkable that this amount of analysis and historiography has been combined with the
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basic narrative and yet the end product is still so engaging. Of particular interest to me was the coverage of how the Romans saw and spun the justification for their actions in wiping out Carthage, and the evolution of this over time. Ultimately, in reading CMBD I wanted to understand 'all about' ancient Carthage and the Punic wars - now I do and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. In my opinion, Richard Miles style is as easy to follow as the much acclaimed Tom Holland, albeit with less humour. I'll be pre-ordering his next title 'Ancient Worlds' on the strength of this.
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LibraryThing member starkravingmad
Interesting history of Punic Wars and the rise (and fall) of Carthage.
LibraryThing member HadriantheBlind
A very interesting view of a civilization which has, until just recently, been sparsely represented in non-Roman historical accounts.
This book takes a long look, starting with the history of the early Phoenicians and ending with the beginnings of Rome's empire, well after the final Punic war.
One wonders how the course of history would change if the Carthaginians had won. Our world would be changed beyond recognition.
This book takes a long look, starting with the history of the early Phoenicians and ending with the beginnings of Rome's empire, well after the final Punic war.
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Carthage's economic values, its religion (with a surprising incidence of human sacrifice, which is not wholly Roman propaganda), and the fragile structure of its society. There is also a natural focus on Hannibal and the Punic Wars. The author has also done extensive archaeological work with recently discovered sources, and this adds a substantial new body of information to this ancient story.One wonders how the course of history would change if the Carthaginians had won. Our world would be changed beyond recognition.
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LibraryThing member la2bkk
The finest summary of the history of Ancient Carthage I've yet read. The author conveys Carthage's long and complex history in a readable fashion, which should appeal both to the novice and more well read history buffs. Unlike many such histories, this book provides much more than just Carthage's
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well known conflicts with Rome, establishing what a rich history this civilization once had. Show Less
LibraryThing member Luftwaffe_Flak
Excellent book, great examination of Carthage from its beginning till its bloody end. Author does an excellent job of examining the propaganda of Carthage and its actual history. Also examined are the religious and economic aspects of the country.
LibraryThing member romanccm
three stars not for the book, which is pretty good, but for the dearth of history. Miles is sort of left out ot hang on this topic by the lack of much surviving material that does not come from Carthage's enemies. Its a good read, but a bit too speculative for this historian's heart.
LibraryThing member Shrike58
Half this book is essentially devoted to the Punic Wars but it's the other half that is most interesting, as Miles examines how Carthage came to be, how (despite the Graeco-Roman portrayal of the Carthaginians as being alien outsiders) their culture partook of & contributed to the mosaic of the
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wider Hellenistic world and how (despite the culture's wealth) the Carthaginian state lack the staying power to prevail over Rome. There is much emphasis on religious belief & practice as cultural tool and ideology. Show Less
LibraryThing member justindtapp
Carthage Must Be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization
The previous book I read covering the history of the Greeks and Romans (Thoneman and Price's The Birth of Europe--my review) over this period left out much about Carthage and the Punic Wars. Much of the history about Carthage
Whereas Thoneman and Price, and other authors, write that Greek and Roman generals looked to Homer's Iliad for their heroes and standards, Miles writes that Greeks, Romans, and Carthaginians syncretically all claimed Heracles. This led to a synthesis of culture between Greece and Carthage, particularly on Sicily where both sides fought prolongued battles and established colonies which were constantly being re-occupied. As another commenter writes:
"This is the major thrust of the book and is itself sufficient justification for reading it. Regrettably, this important contribution is diminished by long and persistent digressions into the syncretism between the Greco/Roman Heracles/Hercules and the Punic deity Melquart (Melkart--the basis of given names such as Hamilcar). Miles argues at length that the great general Hannibal and his aides consciously used the parallel with Heracles as a religious accompaniment to warfare in the campaign to undermine Roman pride. These are appealing arguments to an archeologist, as they can be supported to some extent by surviving coinage. This is an inherently provocative thesis and could be the subject of a separate book (though one that would be less appealing to a publisher)."
Miles starts with the development and migration of the Phoenecians (from which we get the Latin term Punic) out of Tyre. No biblical references are given even though Tyre played various roles in Israel's development. I found Miles' treatment very helpful-- what were Tyre and Sidon, why did they matter? How did the center of Phoenecian life move across the see from Tyre to Carthage? (Fleeing Assyrians and Babylonians).
Miles gives a helpful account of the evolution of religion and culture in Carthage. Baal and Astarte (Ashterah) were worshipped. Child sacrifice is documented but its importance is debated.
Carthage occupied territories in Spain and relied on silver from Spanish minds to fuel its trade and fund its armies. Carthaginian armies were diverse and made up of mercenaries. This created some logistical problems-- companies speaking different languages -- but also some benefits like diverse fighting styles and flexibility.
The First Punic War (264-241 B.C.) was largely fought on Sicily. Carthage had long occupied territories and fought prolonged conflicts against Syracusans while maintaining peace with the fledgling Roman republic. However, when another Roman ally was attacked by Carthage, Rome eventually chose to enter war with its new rival. After a failed Roman invasion of North Africa, Rome was eventually able to best Carthage on Sicily and at sea to win the war. Rome had expanded its territory and ambitions, and Carthage would be able to rebuild.
The Second Punic War (218-201 B.C.) was one where strategy was important. Hannibal marched from Spain across two mountain ranges into the heart of Italy. Imagine African elephants marching through the forests of Europe. Hannibal's army occupied parts of Italy for 15 years. At the Battle of Cannae, Rome lost maybe 70,000 troops. Miles writes that Hannibal did not want to destroy Rome, but simply hoped to reduce its power and give independence to Italian city-states. His assumption that Rome would negotiate a peace proved false, and Rome fought on.
One interesting note about these ancient wars are the ways that both sides appeal to their gods and oracles for divine wisdom and favor. Both Hannibal and the Roman Senate appealed to gods in such a way as to try and show the native populations that they would be the favored ones.So, the appeals were often very calculated and for morale as much as actual divine favor.
Hannibal met his match in the Roman general Scipio, and as a Roman counterattack took the battle to Africa, Hannibal and Carthage were forced to sue for peace. Although stripped of its army, navy, and forced to pay a heavy tribute, Carthage again grew economically and was able to rebuild. By 251 it had repaired its war reparations and began rebuilding its forces.
This led to both jealousy and fear among the Roman elite. The title of the book comes from words attributed to Cato the Elder, who often finished his Senate oratories urging the elimination of Carthage once and for all: "Carthago delenda est." There was a debate in the Senate because there was a fear that if Rome's chief rival was eliminated then it would be harder to keep the Roman masses in check. Eventually, the Roman war-hawks got what they wanted-- Carthage began to behave beligerently and the Senate raised an expedition force to destroy Carthage. The Third Punic War (149-146 B.C.) was a brief and relatively one-sided affair. The once-mighty city of 700,000 people was razed to the ground, never to be rebuilt.
Miles looks at how Roman historians looked back on Carthage. Its fall was later seen as something of a prelude to the fall of the Roman empire-- its leaders became corrupt and "irrational," and it crumbled from within before being conquered from without.
I enjoyed this book, learned a lot, and will leave it to the experts to figure out the controversies. 4 stars out of 5.
The previous book I read covering the history of the Greeks and Romans (Thoneman and Price's The Birth of Europe--my review) over this period left out much about Carthage and the Punic Wars. Much of the history about Carthage
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itself was lost after the Roman army wiped it off the map. Surviving works by Greeks exist, including some copies or long quotations of Carthaginian sources. Carthage had a narrow base of names-- it seems like every male was named Hannibal (meaning "grace of Baal"), complicating matters for historians. Carthage was important culturally to the Roman Empire-- Carthaginians were loathed as enemies by Greeks and Romans, such that much of what was written about them was racist and propagandist in nature. Carthage was the unvirtuous archrival that balanced the "pietas" of Roman culture. But Carthage has always stood as a warning against war and hubris-- engage in too much foreign intervention and you might end up being wiped off the map like Carthage.Whereas Thoneman and Price, and other authors, write that Greek and Roman generals looked to Homer's Iliad for their heroes and standards, Miles writes that Greeks, Romans, and Carthaginians syncretically all claimed Heracles. This led to a synthesis of culture between Greece and Carthage, particularly on Sicily where both sides fought prolongued battles and established colonies which were constantly being re-occupied. As another commenter writes:
"This is the major thrust of the book and is itself sufficient justification for reading it. Regrettably, this important contribution is diminished by long and persistent digressions into the syncretism between the Greco/Roman Heracles/Hercules and the Punic deity Melquart (Melkart--the basis of given names such as Hamilcar). Miles argues at length that the great general Hannibal and his aides consciously used the parallel with Heracles as a religious accompaniment to warfare in the campaign to undermine Roman pride. These are appealing arguments to an archeologist, as they can be supported to some extent by surviving coinage. This is an inherently provocative thesis and could be the subject of a separate book (though one that would be less appealing to a publisher)."
Miles starts with the development and migration of the Phoenecians (from which we get the Latin term Punic) out of Tyre. No biblical references are given even though Tyre played various roles in Israel's development. I found Miles' treatment very helpful-- what were Tyre and Sidon, why did they matter? How did the center of Phoenecian life move across the see from Tyre to Carthage? (Fleeing Assyrians and Babylonians).
Miles gives a helpful account of the evolution of religion and culture in Carthage. Baal and Astarte (Ashterah) were worshipped. Child sacrifice is documented but its importance is debated.
Carthage occupied territories in Spain and relied on silver from Spanish minds to fuel its trade and fund its armies. Carthaginian armies were diverse and made up of mercenaries. This created some logistical problems-- companies speaking different languages -- but also some benefits like diverse fighting styles and flexibility.
The First Punic War (264-241 B.C.) was largely fought on Sicily. Carthage had long occupied territories and fought prolonged conflicts against Syracusans while maintaining peace with the fledgling Roman republic. However, when another Roman ally was attacked by Carthage, Rome eventually chose to enter war with its new rival. After a failed Roman invasion of North Africa, Rome was eventually able to best Carthage on Sicily and at sea to win the war. Rome had expanded its territory and ambitions, and Carthage would be able to rebuild.
The Second Punic War (218-201 B.C.) was one where strategy was important. Hannibal marched from Spain across two mountain ranges into the heart of Italy. Imagine African elephants marching through the forests of Europe. Hannibal's army occupied parts of Italy for 15 years. At the Battle of Cannae, Rome lost maybe 70,000 troops. Miles writes that Hannibal did not want to destroy Rome, but simply hoped to reduce its power and give independence to Italian city-states. His assumption that Rome would negotiate a peace proved false, and Rome fought on.
One interesting note about these ancient wars are the ways that both sides appeal to their gods and oracles for divine wisdom and favor. Both Hannibal and the Roman Senate appealed to gods in such a way as to try and show the native populations that they would be the favored ones.So, the appeals were often very calculated and for morale as much as actual divine favor.
Hannibal met his match in the Roman general Scipio, and as a Roman counterattack took the battle to Africa, Hannibal and Carthage were forced to sue for peace. Although stripped of its army, navy, and forced to pay a heavy tribute, Carthage again grew economically and was able to rebuild. By 251 it had repaired its war reparations and began rebuilding its forces.
This led to both jealousy and fear among the Roman elite. The title of the book comes from words attributed to Cato the Elder, who often finished his Senate oratories urging the elimination of Carthage once and for all: "Carthago delenda est." There was a debate in the Senate because there was a fear that if Rome's chief rival was eliminated then it would be harder to keep the Roman masses in check. Eventually, the Roman war-hawks got what they wanted-- Carthage began to behave beligerently and the Senate raised an expedition force to destroy Carthage. The Third Punic War (149-146 B.C.) was a brief and relatively one-sided affair. The once-mighty city of 700,000 people was razed to the ground, never to be rebuilt.
Miles looks at how Roman historians looked back on Carthage. Its fall was later seen as something of a prelude to the fall of the Roman empire-- its leaders became corrupt and "irrational," and it crumbled from within before being conquered from without.
I enjoyed this book, learned a lot, and will leave it to the experts to figure out the controversies. 4 stars out of 5.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KimByham
• Carthage Must Be Destroyed is a nearly perfect book for the history buff. I am no scholar and although I have a fairly recent master’s degree in history I haven’t taken a course in ancient history since my undergraduate days 45 years ago. I rarely read about ancient history but I was
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curious to learn about Carthage after reading a review of this book. Although I normally read ten to fifteen history books a year, since becoming bogged down in The Sleepwalkers: How Europe Went to War in 1914 last year I’ve been concentrating on historical novels. Carthage has renewed my confidence that serious historical scholarship can be fun to read. Richard Miles has done a masterful job in writing an eminently readable account in which his sources are summarized, analyzed and sometimes criticized in a most helpful way. This is a scholarly work – the voluminous notes testify to that. His account of Carthage, which naturally is highly dependent on Roman sources, also refreshed my recollection of the rise of Rome. My only criticism is that I did not understand the economic underpinnings of Carthage prior to the end of the second Punic War. Miles describes the economy of Carthage in its final years rather well at the close of the book, but it only underlined the need to explain it more fully at earlier stages. Miles is careful to not use analogies, but I gather, for lack of clear alternatives, that Carthage’s economy was similar to medieval Venice’s. But Venice had things to export as well as being master traders, so perhaps Carthage did as well? Nevertheless, the other elements of Carthage’s growth and destruction are well explained, including the religious and military aspects of its history. It’s a great book. Show Less
LibraryThing member jerry-book
I love books about Ancient Rome. This is a re-telling of Rome's battles with its most deadly antagonist -- Carthage. I was familiar with most of the material. The author does include the latest archeological evidence in his work. This evidence illustrates why Rome felt it needed to destroy
Carthage's commercial success after the Second Punic War was its undoing. Warmongers like Cato the Elder successfully lobbied the Roman Senate to view Carthage as a new threat. In fact Cato the Elder would reportedly end any speech in the Senate with the warning "Carthage must be destroyed" or Carthago delenda est.
Rome did have a pretext. It's old ally from the Second Punic War, Numidia, was constantly raiding Carthage's North African lands. When Carthage would protest to Rome, Rome would always side with Numidia. Finally, Carthage had enough. It defended itself when Numidia launched another raid. Rome saw its chance and gave Carthage an ultimatum -- evacuate Carthage and move 15 kilometers from the sea. Of course, this would have destroyed Carthage's mercantile empire and Carthage refused to do it. Thus, began the Third Punic War and the destruction of Carthage.
Much of this same material is covered in Adrian Galsworthy The Punic Wars.
For this reason, there is not much new here for the First and Second Punic Wars. But this book does show how Carthage grew from a minor colony of the Phoenician city of Tyre to be the commercial giant of the ancient world. The author does cover the latest research on whether or not Carthangians sacrificed their babies to the gods. For me, the best part of the book is the coverage of Rome's motives for attacking Carthage and starting the Third Punic War.
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Carthage. Despite the fact Carthage had lost its fleets in the First Punic War along with Corscia, Sardinia and half of Sicily and despite the fact Carethage lost Spain and its army in the Second Punic War, many in Rome still viewed Carthage as a threat. The archeological evidence shows Carthage made a remarkable comeback after the Second Punic War. It's commerce was booming. It provided the grain supplies for Rome's Macedonian Wars. Carthage's commercial success after the Second Punic War was its undoing. Warmongers like Cato the Elder successfully lobbied the Roman Senate to view Carthage as a new threat. In fact Cato the Elder would reportedly end any speech in the Senate with the warning "Carthage must be destroyed" or Carthago delenda est.
Rome did have a pretext. It's old ally from the Second Punic War, Numidia, was constantly raiding Carthage's North African lands. When Carthage would protest to Rome, Rome would always side with Numidia. Finally, Carthage had enough. It defended itself when Numidia launched another raid. Rome saw its chance and gave Carthage an ultimatum -- evacuate Carthage and move 15 kilometers from the sea. Of course, this would have destroyed Carthage's mercantile empire and Carthage refused to do it. Thus, began the Third Punic War and the destruction of Carthage.
Much of this same material is covered in Adrian Galsworthy The Punic Wars.
For this reason, there is not much new here for the First and Second Punic Wars. But this book does show how Carthage grew from a minor colony of the Phoenician city of Tyre to be the commercial giant of the ancient world. The author does cover the latest research on whether or not Carthangians sacrificed their babies to the gods. For me, the best part of the book is the coverage of Rome's motives for attacking Carthage and starting the Third Punic War.
Show Less
LibraryThing member nmele
After learning about Hannibal crossing the Alps, the love affair between Dido and Aeneas, and other stories about the rivalry between Rome and Carthage, I had to read a book titled "Carthage Must Be Destroyed." I have a vague memory of reading and translating pats of Cato's speech in Latin class.
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Miles book filled gaps in my knowledge: I knew Carthage had been founded by Phoenicians, but all I really knew before reading was that Phoenicians made purple dye and were famous for it. Miles educated me with his in-depth look at the rise of the Phoenician cities, their culture and their interactions with contemporary states. After reading portions of the Aeneid in Latin class, I was surprised to learn that Carthage was founded, in its own legend, by a woman, who like Dido committed suicide. On a more historical note, Miles explains how Hannibal crossed the Alps with his elephants, and why this was such a major part of his legend. Show Less
LibraryThing member le.vert.galant
An good overview of Carthage and the Phoenician culture which gave rise to it. The writing is serviceable and the history is limited by the paucity of Punic sources. Thus, the book reads like a history of Roman responses to Carthagian actions. Nonetheless, this is likely the most we can hope for.
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The early chapters on Phoenicia are especially valuable. Show Less
LibraryThing member farrhon
Well researched - lots of footnotes - took a lot of skimming to finish
And they all die in the end. Spoiler!
And they all die in the end. Spoiler!
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
Dr. Miles has produced a very readable book. It has a relatively new approach to the relationship between Rome, Syracuse and Carthage, the triumvirate of the Central Meditterranean. He also follows the idea that the emphasis that the ancients placed on the provision of temples to their gods has a
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political slant, that does illuminate some of the mental space that ancient peoples employed to organize their views of the world. Post Rennaissance minds have not found it easy to accommodate this facet of ancient life. There was more parallel and complementary involvement that the simple analysis of Greece and Rome being the best polities expressed in the past allows for. Therefore the title involves a pun, for one of the things to be destroyed is the heavily Hellenistic view of the role of Carthage, and thus a new interpretation of the evolution of the central Medditterranean powers is called for. Bravo! Show Less
LibraryThing member Kavinay
For Rome to be great, Carthage had to be a legendary villain. Excellent and engaging look at the Punic Wars with Miles paying special attention to the propaganda war constantly being waged by all parties. The cult of Heracles as well as the issuing and debasement of coinage are unique touchstones
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throughout that drive home the long game both empires played for material power as well as historiographical sympathy. Show Less
LibraryThing member apomonis
Epic in stature. A beautiful, illuminating work that stretches one millenium across the strands of time. Hannibal. Cato. Scipio. Bastards, all.
Pages
520
ISBN
0670022667 / 9780670022663