carthage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “carthage” mean?
An ancient city-state and civilization in North Africa (modern-day Tunisia), founded by Phoenicians, which became a major commercial and military rival to the Roman Republic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ancient city-state and civilization in North Africa (modern-day Tunisia), founded by Phoenicians, which became a major commercial and military rival to the Roman Republic.
Used metonymically to refer to the Carthaginian Empire, its culture, or its conflict with Rome (the Punic Wars). In modern contexts, it can refer to the archaeological site or be used as a symbol of a formidable rival or a civilization ultimately destroyed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical historical and cultural connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “carthage” in a Sentence
[Subject] destroyed/defeated/sacked Carthage.Carthage [verb] a rival to Rome.The history of Carthage is...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carthage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- The Carthaginian navy was formidable.
- She studied Carthaginian trade routes.
American English
- The Carthaginian general Hannibal is famous.
- Carthaginian artifacts were discovered.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except perhaps metaphorically in competitive strategy ('viewing a competitor as Carthage to our Rome').
Academic
Common in history, archaeology, classical studies, and political science (for 'Carthaginian Peace' concept).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in documentaries, historical fiction, or trivia.
Technical
Used in archaeology and ancient history as a specific site/civilization designation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carthage”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carthage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carthage”
- Misspelling as 'Cartage' or 'Carthidge'.
- Mispronouncing the 'th' as /t/ (e.g., 'Car-tage').
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a carthage' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the archaeological site of ancient Carthage is located in a suburb of modern Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
'Punic' comes from the Latin 'Punicus', meaning 'Carthaginian'. The Romans used it to refer to the people and culture of Carthage, who were descended from the Phoenicians.
No, 'Carthage' is exclusively a proper noun. The related adjective is 'Carthaginian'.
Carthage is famous for being a wealthy and powerful ancient civilization, for its epic conflicts with Rome (the Punic Wars), and for its dramatic total destruction by Rome in 146 BCE.
An ancient city-state and civilization in North Africa (modern-day Tunisia), founded by Phoenicians, which became a major commercial and military rival to the Roman Republic.
Carthage is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Carthage: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.θɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːr.θɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Carthaginian peace (a peace treaty imposed with the intent to utterly crush and dismantle the defeated foe)”
- “Delenda est Carthago ('Carthage must be destroyed' – Cato the Elder's phrase, used to signify a persistent call to eliminate a threat).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CART loaded with treasure being hauled to a huge African port-CITY. CART + CITY = Carthage, the wealthy ancient trading city.
Conceptual Metaphor
CARTHAGE IS A FORMIDABLE RIVAL (e.g., 'The company was the Carthage to our industry's Rome.'); CARTHAGE IS A LOST CIVILIZATION (e.g., 'The software platform became a digital Carthage, abandoned and in ruins.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the meaning of the phrase 'Carthaginian peace'?