Customer Reviews

Carthage

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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 Disregard the price tag if you can, because all the other texts (and there are not many of them) are either out of date and/or contain what are now known to be historical inaccuracies.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.