Third Punic War

The Third Punic War was the last of the three armed struggles between Carthage and ancient Rome. Compared to the two other conflicts that preceded it, it was brief and easier for the Romans as this time it was fought away from the Italian peninsula, from 149 to 146 BC, in northern Africa. It basically consisted of a siege that lasted for three years. The senator Marcus Porcius Cato, the Elder, played a key role in convincing the Romans why Carthage had to be totally destroyed.

Summary

Despite the great damage done to its wealth and power at the end of the Second Punic War, in 201 BC, Carthage gradually began to recover its economic strength, its merchant fleet, and imperial status. However, it was constantly harassed by the Numidians, who were a neighboring tribe. When the Carthaginians started to raise a big army to defend themselves against these military raids, the Roman Senate decided to declare war on them in 149 BC, as the peace treaty they had signed in 201 BC forbade Carthage to have a large army.

In 149 BC, the Romans sent a large fleet and a powerful army across the Mediterranean Sea and proceeded to lay siege to Carthage. Although the Roman Army was much superior in number and organization, this city port was well defended and difficult to capture. As a result, in 147 BC the Senate sent a new Consult to command their forces; Scipio Aemillianus, who was the grand-son of Scipio Africanus Major, the General who had defeated Hannibal in Zama in 201 BC.

In 146 BC, Scipio the Younger was able to breach the outer wall of the city. Despite the lack of food and being surrounded on all sides, the Carthaginians put up stiff resistance. The struggle was vicious as the hand to hand fighting, with swords and spears, lasted for more than two weeks. Finally, the citadel fell under the ferocious attacks. At the end, the survivors were huddled together in the center of the city. Scipio took them prisoner and proceeded to burn what was left of Carthage to the ground. Its inhabitants were sold as slaves and the city and surrounding territory were romanized, becoming a Roman province.

Below, a 19th century painting depicting Aemillianus Scipio the Younger watching Carthage being burned and destroyed.