Carthage [Hardcover]

Serge Lancel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 1995

Carthage, now a ruin on the north coast of Africa, was the capital of one of the ancient world's most powerful empires.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book is accessibly written and superbly translated, with copious well-selected illustrations, and should serve as the standard introduction to Punic Carthage for many years to come." Antiquity

"A detailed, wide-ranging, and authoritative analysis of Punic culture. It is a brilliant achievement." Choice

"Lancel's book is now an excellent summation and interpretation of the specialized archaeological reports that otherwise tend to be forbidding and inconclusive. His book is a fine introduction to the intricacies of conceptualizing the cemeteries, tombs, graves, houses, temples, and walls that once defined the space of the city, and of understanding the pottery, terracotta masks, figurines, jewellery, votive inscriptions, and religious statuettes that once gave meaning to ordinary life. Complementing his discussion are 250 very helpful photos, diagrams, plans, and maps." Historian

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557864683
• ISBN-13: 978-1557864680
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,366,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very thorough account of very little concrete knowledge, December 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Carthage (Hardcover)

Serge Lancel thoroughly and thoughtfully outlines the archaelogical evidence uncovered at the site of Carthage. This shows how little first-hand knowledge we still have about the lifestyle and ideas of a race that narrowly missed out on being the progenitor of the world's leading civilization in place of Rome. M. Lancel tries his best to fill in the gaps, but it is evident that most history of Carthage, as we know it today, was written by its bitter enemies. The book does not cover the Carthaginian colonies in Europe and their archaelogical yields to the same extent and should be complimented with a suitable text on this subject. Dr I Englin.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy going but worth it if your truly interested., June 4, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Kevin Bauer) (Tunisia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carthage (Paperback)

I live in Tunisia eight miles from Carthage and read this book immediately upon my arrival. A first class piece of historical writing with no attempt at pleasing the masses. Slow going and often difficult to read, but truly a top reference work for the serious reader of Carthaginian history. You won't be disappointed if your really into the subject.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first rate text about Carthage, September 15, 2010

By 

Ben Kane (Nr Bristol, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Carthage (Paperback)

If you're looking for a textbook on Carthage, then this is a 'must-buy'. Disregard the price tag if you can, because all the other texts (and there are not many of them) are either out of date and/or contain what are now known to be historical inaccuracies. (That is, until the 25th March 2010, when the excellent Carthage Must Be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization by Richard Miles consigned this book to second place.) However, I was pointed to this book by the members of a Roman army website, for which I am very grateful.

Lancel follows Carthage from its birth all the way to its destruction in 146 BC, at the hands of the Romans. Among others, he covers the topics of the city's development locally and internationally, religion (including a well-balanced discussion about child sacrifice), social culture, architecture and the three wars with Rome. It's a meaty read, but well worth it, especially as the other reviewer has pointed out, if one is going to visit Tunisia.
Thoroughly recommended.

Ben Kane, author of The Forgotten Legion.