The fall of Carthage: the siege and destruction of 146 BC
Rome captured and destroyed Carthage in 146 BC after a siege lasting through the Third Punic War of 149–146 BC.
0:44 · Episode film
AI-generated historical dramatization.
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Why Rome destroyed Carthage in 146 BC: the causes of the Third Punic War, Scipio’s siege, the final assault, civilian fate, and the salt myth.
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Carthage, 146 BC. For three years, Rome has fought to break the city. Now Scipio Aemilianus's soldiers push through the harbour district and into streets leading toward the Byrsa citadel. Fighting moves from building to building as families are trapped within the siege. The last resistance collapses. Survivors are taken captive and sold into slavery; much of their city is destroyed. Independent Carthage is gone, and Rome organizes a province in Africa. The victory expands Roman power while leaving the people of Carthage dispossessed of homes, freedom and a political world.
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