:: HISTORICAL
SITES
CARTHAGE:
Once
the third largest city in the mighty Roman Empire, Carthage
was founded by the Phoenicians in 814 BC. It thrived as a
maritime center before it was destroyed in AD692 by the
invading Arabs. Although it is
Tunisia’s best-known archaeological site, it is not
particularly easy to navigate. The ruins are scattered over
quite a large area in what is now an up market commuter suburb
of Tunis.
Since a
complete tour requires a whole day, it is probably more
rewarding to make two shorter trips rather than hurry around
on a single day.
The best view of the whole site is from
Byrsa Hill, which was the heart of the city in Punic
times.
One of the main attractions of Carthage is the
Antonine Baths, which – outside of Rome – were once
the largest baths in the Roman Empire. But the visitors are
not allowed to enter the Baths. They can only watch the Baths
from a viewing platform. Heat was provided by an underground
system of furnaces and – very much like a modern day spa –
there were a series of hot rooms, a cold plunge pool and the
Roman equivalent of a Jacuzzi.
The Punic Ports, once provided
berths for more than 200 naval vessels, but are now reduced to
little more than ponds.
Little
is now left of the Theatre of Hadrian, which was built
in the second century.
Tophet was used for child
sacrifices. Urns have been unearthed containing the ashes of
more than 20,000 boys aged between two and twelve sacrificed
by the Carthaginians in the eighth century BC.
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