Ancient Coin Stories

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

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.

Malaga comes under the rule of Carthage

Gades occupied by Carthage

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.

The Greeks defeat Carthage under Hamilcar at the Battle of Himera

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

Himera destroyed by Carthage

Akragas sacked by Carthage.

Gela is sacked by Carthage.

Kamarina is sacked by Carthage

Caesarea in Mauretania founded by settlers from Carthage.

The general Himilco of Carthage concludes a treaty with Kephaloidion.

Syracuse signs a treaty with Carthage that increases its possessions.

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. Mastia is mentioned.

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

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.

Carthage conquers Gela with little resistance.

Kamarina sides with Carthage against Syracuse

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 of Kyrene 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.

Pyrrhos travels to Sicility and lifts a siege of Syracuse by Carthage.

Pyrrhos captures Eryx, the most powerful stronghold of Carthage on Siciliy.

The navy of Pyrrhos is defeated by Carthage at the Battle of the Strait of Messina.

Carthage re-takes Panormos

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

Lokri Epizephyrii assists Rome against Carthage

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

Roman troops near Thermai Himeraiai are attacked by Carthage under Hamilcar and defeated.

Carthage under Hamilcar seizes Kamarina

Carthage recaptures Akragas.

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

Tyndaris expels its Carthaginian garrison and joins the Roman alliance

Carthage fails to re-take Panormos at the Battle of Panormos

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.

Forces of Carthage, including elephants and led by Hamilcar, land at Carteia

Hasdrubal of Carthage renames Mastia to Qart Hadasht, or “New City”.

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.

Lokri Epizephyrii is seized by Carthage under Hanno

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

Thourion defects to Carthage after the Battle of Cannae.

Hasdrubal Barca of Carthage crushes the Romans at the Battle of Castulo

Hannibal of Carthage removes the citizens of Atella to Thourion.

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

Carthage under Adherbal retreats to Carteia after a defeat by Gaius Laelius.

Hannibal of Carthage removes 3500 wealthy citizens of Thourion to Krotona, then lets his troops plunder it.

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.

Approximate year when Juba II and Kleopatra Selene settle in Caesarea in Mauretania.

A rebellion starts in Caesarea in Mauretania after the Numidian king Ptolemy is murdered by Caligula.

The rebellion in Caesarea in Mauretania is quelled by Claudius and the province is split into two.

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.

Maximian makes a triumphal entry into Carthage.

Heraclianus raises a rebellion in Africa, then attempts to attack Honorius in Italy. The attack is repulsed and Heraclianus returns to Carthage, where he is killed.