As part of the research for Book II of the Strategikon series, the Thin Red Line Games R&D team visited today the ruins of Carthage. Ok, it's actually a holiday with the secondary objective of gathering some additional, first-hand information :)
As you maybe know, there's not much left of the original, Punic Carthage, and the vast majority of the archeological sites are centered on the Roman Carthage, refounded by Julius Caesar in 49 BC. A relevant exception is the military port with its distinctive circular shape, that remained practically the same in Roman era too.
As we know, the African province was an important grain supplier during the late Republic and the Roman Empire, but during this visit I've discovered that the area in a 80 km radius around Tunis has still today an agricultural activity bigger than I've imagined: vineyards, olive groves, and more. By applying the 2000 years climate change, this area was probably much more fertile (and able to sustain armies) than I've initially considered...Time to change a few things on the map :)
Oh well! Enough mumbo-jumbo, here's some photos!
 |
The amphiteathre (subterranean part, where the gladiators waited)
|
 |
| Gladiators' Waiting Area |
 |
| Map of the Punic Carthage |
 |
| The so-called "Punic District" |
 |
| Carthago Delenda Est. |
 |
| The Military Port (1) |
 |
| The Military Port (2) |
 |
| The Antoninian Thermes, 2nd biggest in the Empire |
 |
| A Typical Punic Citizen. |
