Carthage in the Non-Carthaginian Imagination

From Vergil’s Aeneid to Flaubert’s Salammbô, the image of ancient Carthage has remained an object of interest for writers, historians, and artists. Dido’s doomed love affair with Aeneas, Hannibal’s daring crossing of the Alps, and the city’s ultimate destruction have all provided enduring iconic images to be referenced and reimagined. The West’s enduring fascination with Carthage, however, has generally rested not on any real interest in the Punic city itself, but rather on its relationship with its great rival, Rome. Indeed, each of these famous episodes featuring Carthage places it in opposition to Rome, as a hindrance to be overcome or an enemy to be defeated.

This section will investigate...