Carthage

A new history of an ancient empire

By: Eve MacDonald

Narrated by: Eve MacDonald

Brought to you by Penguin.

The empire behind the legend

Carthage was a power that dominated the western Mediterranean for almost six centuries before its fall to Rome. The history of the realm and its Carthaginians was subsumed by their conquerors and, along the way, the story of the real Carthage was lost. An ancient North African kingdom, Carthage was the home of Hannibal and of Dido, of war elephants and enormous power and wealth, of great beauty and total destruction.

In this landmark history, Eve MacDonald tells the essential story of the lost culture of Carthage and of its forgotten people, using archaeological analysis to uncover the history behind the legend. A journey that takes us the Phoenician Levant of the early Iron Age to the Atlantic and all along the coast of Africa, Carthage puts the city and the story of North Africa once again at the centre of Mediterranean history. Reclaimed from the Romans, this is the Carthaginian version of the tale, revealing to us that, without Carthage, there would be no Rome.

© Eve MacDonald 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Clear narrative history, beautifully naturally read

This is a the best book on Carthage and its context in ancient history. Incorporating most recent archaeological evidence and new insights from skilled historian. Flawlessly read.