Ancient Coin Stories

Traditional founding date of Carthage by Phoenician settlers from Tyre, led by Queen Dido (according to legend).

Kyrene founded by settlers from Thera, with help from navigators at Itanos.

Carthage wins a significant victory against the Greek city of Phokaia near Corsica, marking the beginning of its rivalry with Greek settlements in the western Mediterranean.

Carthage signs its first known treaty with Rome, delineating spheres of influence and trade routes.

Carthage invades Sicily, but are defeated by Theron of Akragas and Gelon of Gela and Syracuse.

Hannibal Mago (a general and political leader) expands Carthaginian territories in Sicily, initiating a new wave of Carthaginian influence on the island.

Akragas sacked by Carthage.

The population of Hipponion returns to their city with the help of Carthage.

Carthage renews its treaty with Rome, reinforcing agreements on trade and territorial boundaries.

Timoleon of Syracuse drives Carthaginians out of Akragas and declares it a free city.

A food crisis erupts in the Greek world that was likely caused by Alexander the Great’s campaigns in the East, which disrupted traditional trade routes. Kyrene sends grain to many cities including Athens, Sparta, Rhodes, Thebes, Argos, and Atrax.

Outbreak of the Agathokles War: The tyrant Agathokles of Syracuse invades North Africa, threatening Carthage but is ultimately repelled.

Agathokles‘ conflict with Carthage escalates. Agathokles faces a major invasion by the Carthaginian general Hamilcar, who besieges Syracuse. In a daring move, Agathokles decides to strike back by invading North Africa.

Agathokles launches his expedition to North Africa, landing near Carthage. His unexpected attack catches the Carthaginians off guard, and he achieves several victories on African soil. Agathokles declares himself king of Sicily during this campaign, marking a significant shift in his ambitions.

Agathokles persuades Ophellas to join him as an ally against Carthage. Agathokles at first receives him warmly, then attacks his camp unexpectedly, kills Ophellas, and claims his troops.

First Punic War begins between Rome and Carthage over control of Sicily.

Rome lays siege to Akragas. Carthage attempts to relieve it, but the city is taken and its inhabitants sold into slavery.

Carthage recaptures Akragas.

Iaitas expel their garrison from Carthage and hand the city over to the Romans.

Peace settlement ends the First Punic War between Carthage and Rome. Akragas is given to Rome.

Hamilcar Barca begins the Carthaginian expansion in Iberia (Spain), establishing a base for Carthage’s later campaigns.

Carthaginian general Hannibal attacks Saguntum in Iberia, leading to the Second Punic War with Rome.

Battle of Cannae: Hannibal of Carthage defeats a large Roman army, inflicting one of Rome’s worst defeats.

Akragas shifts its loyalty to Carthage in the Second Punic War.

Aesernia remains loyal to Rome during the Second Punic War against Carthage.

Battle of Zama: Roman general Scipio Africanus defeats Hannibal in North Africa, ending the Second Punic War. Carthage is forced to surrender and pay heavy reparations to Rome.

Third Punic War begins after Roman accusations of Carthaginian breaches of treaty terms.

Destruction of Carthage: Roman forces led by Scipio Aemilianus capture and destroy Carthage, ending the war. The city is burned, and its survivors are sold into slavery.

The Roman Senate authorizes the establishment of a new Roman colony, Colonia Junonia, on the site of Carthage, though it is soon abandoned.

Gortyna made the capital of the Roman province of Crete and Carthage.

Julius Caesar refounds Carthage as Colonia Julia Carthago, establishing it as a Roman colony and initiating new construction.

Augustus completes the rebuilding of Carthage, which becomes the center of Africa Proconsularis, a key province of the Roman Empire.

Emperor Hadrian visits Carthage, promoting further development and establishing it as a thriving Roman city.

Emperor Septimius Severus, a native of North Africa, grants Carthage additional privileges, marking it as a prominent city within the Roman Empire.

An earthquake destroys Aptera, Gortyna, Eleutherna, and Knossos on Crete. Alexandria is devastated by a tsunami, and Kyrene is also affected by the same tsunami.