Land of the Roman House UNESCO WHS, Carthage, Tunisia
According to legend, Carthage was founded by the King of Tyre’s daughter Elissa, after the king and his band of followers fled the Levant following a dispute over succession to the throne. In 814 BC, a Numidian prince granted Elissa, her father, and followers land from which the town of Qart Hadasht sprung up.
In antiquity, the Sebkha Ariana was still linked with the sea, so that Carthage lay at the end of an easily defensible peninsula, linked with the mainland only at its east end. It was enclosed by a wall more than 40 kilometers long, 10 meters thick, and up to 13 meters high, reinforced by towers, ditches, and earthworks, which protected the city and the surrounding agricultural area from enemy attack. A force of 20,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, and 300 elephants defended the city.
Epic Tunisia Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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