Carthage grew from the western Phoenician maritime world and made naval power central to its imperial identity. Tradition placed its foundation around 814 BC, and Rome destroyed it in 146 BC. Its maritime inheritance helps explain why it began the war with deeper seafaring experience than Rome. One interpretation is that long familiarity with naval power encouraged institutional comfort and reduced the pressure to study and improve its practice.
Notable Point · 27:17-29:06
Carthage's Phoenician maritime inheritance
Carthage inherited a powerful Phoenician maritime tradition, but long familiarity may also have encouraged institutional comfort.