carthaginian peace: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Historical/Political academic; Formal journalism
Quick answer
What does “carthaginian peace” mean?
A peace settlement that is intentionally so harsh and punitive towards the defeated party that it cripples their ability to recover or pose a future threat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A peace settlement that is intentionally so harsh and punitive towards the defeated party that it cripples their ability to recover or pose a future threat.
Any agreement or outcome that imposes ruinous terms, often seen as short-sighted vengeance that may sow seeds for future conflict. The term originates from the brutal peace imposed by Rome on Carthage after the Third Punic War (146 BC), which included the city's complete destruction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or meaning. Slightly more prevalent in British historical/political discourse due to longer tradition of classical education, but the term is equally understood.
Connotations
Universally negative, implying a self-defeating, vindictive, and harshly punitive policy.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist academic/historical writing and high-level political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “carthaginian peace” in a Sentence
[Agent] imposed a Carthaginian peace on [Recipient].The treaty was a Carthaginian peace.[Event/Settlement] amounted to a Carthaginian peace.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carthaginian peace” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The victorious allies sought to Carthaginianise the peace, leaving the enemy state in ruins.
American English
- Critics accused the administration of seeking to Carthaginianize the postwar settlement.
adjective
British English
- They pursued a Carthaginian peace policy.
- The treaty's Carthaginian nature was widely condemned.
American English
- The agreement had a Carthaginian harshness.
- He warned against Carthaginian peace terms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could metaphorically describe a corporate takeover or merger where one company's identity and assets are completely dismantled.
Academic
Primary usage. Common in historical, political science, and international relations texts discussing post-conflict settlements.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be considered highly erudite and potentially obscure.
Technical
Used as a specific historical/political concept in relevant fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carthaginian peace”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carthaginian peace”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carthaginian peace”
- Confusing it with 'Pax Romana' (which implies enforced stability).
- Using it to describe any harsh peace, rather than one specifically aimed at crippling the defeated party's future viability.
- Misspelling as 'Carthagenian' or 'Carthagian'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its origin is the Roman destruction of Carthage, it is primarily used today as a metaphor in political and historical analysis to criticise any perceived excessively harsh and strategically short-sighted peace settlement.
A 'Carthaginian peace' is a specific subset of a harsh peace. It implies an intent not just to punish, but to permanently cripple and prevent the defeated party from ever recovering as a sovereign entity. The goal is annihilation of power, not just deterrence.
It is the most commonly cited modern example, particularly by critics like John Maynard Keynes who used the term. However, historians debate whether Versailles truly qualifies, as Germany was not physically destroyed or dissolved like Carthage.
Yes, but rarely and always metaphorically. It can describe any negotiated outcome (e.g., a business merger, a divorce settlement) where one party imposes terms so severe they destroy the other party's future operational viability.
A peace settlement that is intentionally so harsh and punitive towards the defeated party that it cripples their ability to recover or pose a future threat.
Carthaginian peace is usually historical/political academic; formal journalism in register.
Carthaginian peace: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːθəˈdʒɪniən piːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑrθəˈdʒɪniən piːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Carthage being razed and salted. A 'Carthaginian peace' aims to salt the earth of the defeated nation so nothing can grow again.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEACE IS A WEAPON OF DESTRUCTION. The victor uses the peace treaty not to build stability, but to continue the war by other means, ensuring permanent defeat.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary criticism embedded in the term 'Carthaginian peace'?