Rome's Stalingrad - The Siege of Carthage (ALL PARTS)

Last night, the crying of the children kept me awake, and I had a terrible vision. I saw the fall of our city. Bleached bones under a harsh sun. Carthage gone. Why would Bal send such a vision? He's not cruel. He has watched over us. We have had victories of plenty in war. Our merchants sail to all corners of the world. And yet now I fear. I cannot help it. We are the envy of lesser people. They tell terrible lies about us. They do not understand, so they lie. But the Romans, they are the masters of falsehood. War will come. I'm sure of it. So, I will have no more false visions. And I think the children will be quiet tonight. For seven centuries, Carthage had forged an empire which came to dominate much of the Mediterranean. Yet from such heights would come a fall of unprecedented scale. Just a generation after the nightmare of Hannibal had terrorized Italy, now it was the legions whose boots were touching down upon Africa to return the favor. Yet they came not with orders to merely subjugate. No, the army which bore down on Carthage had but one objective, the complete and total annihilation of its foe. There would be no quarter. What followed would be one of the most brutal sieges of antiquity. This is the history of the third and final Punic War. So, if you like stories like these of grim determination in the face of overwhelming firepower, you will absolutely love the leagues of Voton, which just dropped for today's sponsor, Warhammer 40,000 Tacticus. I've been playing for over 3 years now and can't get enough of the game squad-based tactical battles, which can be fought across many types of PvE and PvP game modes. Now, at this point, I've built out a killer roster featuring the best of the best from all the factions. But now my defender's heart is dead set on adding the leagues of Voton to my collection. And you can actually get in on the action yourself with ongoing in-game release events. Their faction mechanic has the kin swapping between powerful damage dealing and damage reduction buffs based on how you use their abilities. Vin, for instance, is a repairbot summoning healer who can actually use his active to whip out a graviton rifle for some really punishing snipes. I was actually lucky enough to get him in the February event. Now on March 8th, the league's first legendary champion, Utar, will be up for grabs. He's a resilient allrounder who grants friendly units extra armor or extra pierce ratio while triggering a reusable active to boost his own damage dealing and blocking. Beyond these two, there are more characters in store for the Leagues of Voton as well as additional units and machines of war for other factions like the Storm Speeder. I'm especially excited for the March 19th event where you'll lead the World Eaters and Black Legion to crush the blind faith of the Adepttosaurus for a ton of rewards. Having unlocked most of the characters and beaten all the campaigns, at this point, I can honestly report 3 years in, I still find Tacticus to be a ton of fun and play almost daily. So, please consider supporting the channel by pausing the video now to download Tacticus using the QR code above or the link in the description. Enjoy. The Punic Wars were civilizational clashes of epic proportions whose waves of violence were driven by both the macro trends of nations and the deeply personal motives of individuals. In the case of the Third Punic War, it will be worth reviewing both of these threads which lay the stage for our story. Rome's victory in the second Punic War had firmly shifted the power balance between the two Mediterranean rivals. Where once there had been geopolitical parody, now Carthage was clearly subordinate on the world stage. Reduced in its status to that of a mere friend and ally of Rome. This new paradigm was laid out legally with the terms of a peace treaty that had been signed in 2011 BC. It stipulated the following. All plunder, all prisoners, and all war elephants were to be handed over. All

but 10 trimes of the Punic fleets were to be demobilized. All mercenary recruitment of Kelts and Lagorans was forever banned. All overseas possessions were made forfeit. All of Numidia's territory was to be restored. All future wars must be approved by Rome. All campaigns must be contained to Africa. And finally, for the next 50 years, 10,000 silver talents must be paid annually. But while such terms are easy to list off, it's difficult to imagine what this drastic empire level disarmament and deconstruction looked like from the ground level. Unfortunately, no Punic sources remain to tell their side of the story. We are therefore left with but a few clues left by later Roman authors. Aion, for instance, reports that the harsh terms of the deal caused a period of political turmoil among the Carthaginians. Many in the public feared that for the next 50 years, they would now be burdened with double taxation, and that in the event of famine or disaster, aid relief for the common folk would come second to the obligations to Rome. Punic citizens now threatened to burn down the homes of their leaders, forcing many to flee, while some of those who remained attempted to seize on the populist sentiment by whipping up the crowds from the speaker's platform. Ultimately, the uprising was put to rest by the looming threat of further Roman violence and the influence of respected leaders who still held sway with the people. The great general Hannibal, for instance, knew well the cost of renewed war and is said to have literally dragged down one of the Punic leaders who had been attempting to resist the signing of the peace treaty. Carthage now seemingly resigned itself to its humiliating fate. Thus it was that of the three major factions which were said to rule the city in the interbellum years, one favoring Rome, one favoring Numidia and one favoring the common people, none made any moves to break the terms of the treaty. As proof of this one point of agreement, we can imagine that they all participated in the strict compliance measures which included hosting Roman inspectors and sending embassies to Italy. But perhaps the most painful obligation for the leaders of a once great maritime empire was to give the final blessings to its condemned fleet which had gathered in the harbors of the city. Aion claims that on the appointed day 500 ships were rode into open water and set ablaze. In this conflration burned the hopes and dreams of Carthage's rulers. Yet to the common citizen, this was perhaps seen as a cleansing purge of their leaders folly. What had they gained from these years of endless war? Perhaps now finally attention would be paid to their needs at home. Such popular disaeffection with the ruling oligarchy was seized upon by Hannibal who rode the wave to become elected suite in 196 BC. From here he worked to strengthen the popular assembly to overhaul the city's finances and to go after the elite for their corruption. While Hannibal would eventually be chased into exile by Rome and his rivals, the reforms seemed to have helped Carthage regain its footing. As its industrious people focused on what they did best, lucrative trade routes were revived and agriculture boomed. Prosperity soon returned. In this period, archaeology reveals a fresh wave of new construction across the city. From homes and temples to the grand Kthon harour, so quickly did Carthage rebound that within just a decade, it was already prepared to pay off the remaining 40 years of its war debt. Unfortunately, this renewal would draw the wary attention of its friend and ally across the seas. Let us now briefly turn our attention to the affairs of Rome. Victory in the Second Punic War had left Rome with a massive hall of wealth, slaves, and territory. Most importantly though, it had left Rome with one of the

most battleh hardened generations ever in the Republic's history. Now addicted to the spoils of victory, this war machine would be unleashed across the Mediterranean. What followed would be a dizzying number of campaigns over the next 50 years. To briefly enumerate them, this would include the first Macedonian war, the second Macedonian war, the Spartan War, the Bowan War, the Saluced War, the Ayatian war, the Galatian war, the Celtarian war, the third Macedonian war, the Yrian war, the Lucatanian war, the Nummentine war, and the fourth Macedonian war. Yet, as the years dragged on, the veterans of the Second Punic War would gradually be attritioned or aged out of the military. Such a loss was not easily replaced at a time when armies were still being levied and disbanded on an annual basis without the continuity of professionalized institutions, which might otherwise maintain the skills of its armed forces. Such a degradation of Rome's military is noted by our ancient sources who bemoan the difficulty of raising men and waging efficient campaigns. Yet, as this old guard dwindled, a few remained to carry on the torch. Most notable among them would be Kato. Born in 234 BC, he had been in his 20s during Hannibal's invasion of Italy and had seen his fair share of battles against the African menace. By 151 BC, Kato was now an 83-year-old senator. He stood as a reminder of the old austere ways of the past in an era when the descendants of Rome's conquering generation were seen as increasingly soft and decadent. Thus it was that the elder statesman clung to his hatred of Carthage, chastising those who ignored the resurgent threat in favor of their inherited luxuries. Such was Kato's persistence that he famously ended his speeches no matter the occasion with the cryo dender est Carthage must be destroyed. For years, these calls fell on deaf ears until one day an opportunity arose to see the deed done. Across the seas, another vestage of the second Punic War would be the one to light the spark of war. Masana, the king of Numidia, was approaching his 90s. In his younger days, he had switched sides to support the Roman invasion of Africa, helping them to break the back of Carthage at the Battle of Zama. In doing so, Masana had reaped the benefits of his neighbors downfall, and for years had done everything in his power to further chip away at his kneecapped rival. In 150 BC, tensions reached new heights as the Numidians launched bold raids into Punic territory, ravaging the lands and laying siege to the city of Oroscopa. Carthage had enough. They now raised an army to finally punch back. This was done without first seeking Roman approval or arbitration, a mandate of the terms of their treaty. Such behavior was a reflection of the growing frustration of the Carthaginians. The Romans had shown a bias towards the Numidians in prior arbitrations and had no incentive to greenlight the raising of an army to defend themselves. Thus, it was that the populist faction of Carthage kicked out those among them who pleaded to keep the shackles on and now made ready for war. They did so by raising a force of 25,000 ft and 400 horse, many of whom were said to have been raised from the citizenry itself. Aion reports that this force was further swelled by allies to a total strength of 58,000 men. These successfully pushed back the Numidian raiders, defeating them in a series of skirmishes. However, the Punic army was soon lured into a pursuit of the main enemy body, which had retreated into rugged terrain. It was here that Masanisa offered battle. What followed was a day-long clash. Yet, as the sun set, neither side could claim victory. In the aftermath, Punic and Numidian negotiations took place with the Roman

nobleman Cypio Amelianas, acting as an intermediary. Ultimately, no progress was made. What followed was an uneasy stalemate as the Numidians encircled the Carthaginian camp. It seems that neither talk nor action could break the impass. Both sides were determined to simply starve the other off the field. The Punic commander reportedly believed he had the advantage of supplies and the strength to punch out of the encirclement when necessary. However, in this he had underestimated the enemy and soon found himself truly trapped. Aion paints the unfolding scene. Quote, "Hunger wasted Hazdrabal and the Carthaginians, and being much debilitated, they were no longer able to assault the enemy. First they ate their pack animals, and after them their horses, and they boiled their leather straps for food. They also fell sick of various diseases due to lack of food, want of exercise, and the season. For they were enclosed in one place and in a contracted camp. A great multitude of men exposed to the heat of an African summer. When the supply of wood for cooking failed, they burned their shields. They could not carry out the bodies of their dead because Masana kept strict guard, nor could they burn them for want of fuel. So there was a terrible pestilence among them as a consequence of living in the stench of putrifying corpses. Thus did Carthage plead for terms. They would be allowed to return home with the relinquishing of their arms, the exchange of prisoners, and a promise of a 50-year war indemnity to Masanisa. However, as the defeated army now marched solemnly home, their helpless column was set upon by one of the Numidian cavalry commanders. From the slaughter that ensued, few made it out alive. The oathbreaking enemy now had free reign over Punic lands, and the Romans showed no signs of reigning them in. Given all this, it should be no surprise that Carthage was in a state of deep frustration. Yet still, they feared the eye of Rome. A delegation was sent to Italy, pleading for them to do something about Masan's invasion. But the senators merely flipped the table on them. How dare Carthage raise its arms without Roman approval? To this, the envoys offered a defense. When this was rejected, they then asked how they might atone for their sins. Rome merely answered, "You must make it right with the Roman people. " A second embassy was sent to clarify this chilling remark. Apparently, they came with offers to pay a large fine, to give up territory, and to do anything that might ensure peace between Rome and Carthage. But again, they were met with the cold response. You know what you must do. One can only imagine the fear this must have struck in the hearts of the Carthaginians. The implied threat was further magnified by reports that armies were being raised across Italy. The reason given was equally ominously in case of an emergency. Such matters justifiably spread panic across the shores of Africa. Many in Carthage fell into deep debate about what to do next. Meanwhile, others had already sensed the way the winds were blowing and took action. Most decisive among them was Utica, the second largest city in the region, which now preemptively declared itself for Rome. Thus were the powers of Italy gifted with a fortified beach head into the enemy's land. For even the most hesitant senators, such an opportunity was impossible to resist. Carthage was seemingly being offered up to them on a silver platter. And so, without a moment's delay, they voted to declare war. Aion recounts the ensuing rush of activity. quote, "They immediately dispatched the consoles in command of the forces, Manus Manlius, having charge of the foot soldiers, and Lucius Marcus Saurinus of the fleet, and they gave them secret orders not to desist from the war until Carthage was raised to the ground. After offering sacrifice, they sailed for

Sicily, intending to cross over then to Utica. There they were conveyed in 50 quarims and 100 hemioli besides many open boats and transports. The army consisted of 80,000 infantry and about 4,000 cavalry, all the very best. There was a general rush of citizens and allies to join this splendid expedition and absolute confidence in the result and many were eager to have their names on the enrollment. Such was the speed of this advance that the declaration of war and the war itself reached Carthage at the same time. The timing was devastating. The Punic power had just lost an army to Masanisa. They had no fleet. They had no mercenaries. They had no allies. And they had no supplies. They were in no state to remotely challenge Rome as had once occurred in the first and second Punic Wars of their forefathers. Once more, Carthage pled for peace by any means. The Senate responded that this might be considered if they first sent 300 children from the noble families to be kept as hostages. Despite any suspicions they might harbor of betrayal, the Carthaginians nonetheless submitted. Aion paints a heart-wrenching scene. quote, "They sent their children into Sicily amid the tears of the parents, the kindred, and especially the mothers who clung to their little ones with frantic cries and seized hold of the ships and of the officers who were taking them away, even holding the anchors and tearing the ropes and throwing their arms around the sailors in order to prevent the ships from moving. Some of them even swam out far into the sea beside the ships, shedding tears and gazing at their children. Some of them tore out their hair on the shore and smoked their breasts in the extremity of their grief. It seemed to them that they were giving hostages only nominally, but were really giving up the city when they surrendered their children without any fixed conditions. Many of them predicted with lamentations that it would profit the city nothing to have delivered up their children. Such were the scenes that took place in Carthage when the hostages were sent away. Upon receiving this group, the consoles gave word that further instructions would soon come. Meanwhile, however, they sent secret messages to their troops to press the assault. And so for the first time in over 50 years, a Roman army landed in Africa. Its purpose was clear. Carthage must be destroyed. The arrival of Roman troops sent shock waves across the city of Carthage. The people began to panic. Soon, delegations were sent to plead with the invaders for mercy. Aion brings to life the chilling reception they received. Quote, "When the ambassadors came, the consoles placed themselves on a high seat with the chief officers and military tribunes standing near and the whole army drawn up on either side with arms glistening and standards erect. When the consoles had proclaimed silence by the trumpet, a herald told the Carthaginian envoys to come forward and they advanced through the long camp, but they did not draw near to the place where the console sat because they were fenced off by a rope. We are told of how the ambassadors begged the Romans for peace, stating that they had no allies, no mercenaries, no armies, and no elephants. But the cold reply came. Quote, "If you are sincerely desirous of peace, why do you need any arms? Bring all your weapons and engines of war, both public and private, and deliver them to us. " The Carthaginians complied. As commanded, they immediately loaded a vast wagon convoy of materials. It included 2,000 catapults, 200,000 armor sets, innumerable javelins, and countless arrows. Such was the remarkable nature of this spectacle that even the Romans were impressed. And yet, they were not moved. Once more, a new set of demands was laid upon the Carthaginians. They must abandon their city whose existence might entice them to return to

their old ways of war and make a new home in the interiors of Africa at least 10 mi away from any shoreline. At this the Punic ambassadors were stunned into silence. Such was the inflammatory nature of the demand that they feared bringing such words back to the city lest their own people turn on them. But Rome would not yield. They merely ordered the Lars to throw out the envoys from camp and sent a detachment of the fleet to shadow them home. The message was clear. Surrender or die. With the dawning of the Third Punic War in 149 BC, the doom of Carthage was at hand. To all looking on, its fate seemed clear. If the Carthaginians could not beat the Romans as masters of a mighty empire, what hope did they have now as mere rulers of but a single city? And yet, it still commanded one of the mightiest capitals of the ancient world. Boasting over 30 km of circuit walls, triple layered defenses, fortified harbors, and a dense urban acropolis, there was much for any would-be invader to overcome. That is without even mentioning its 300,000 strong population which stood ready to defend their homes in the event of an existential crisis. And so wounded as this lion of Africa was, it still had fights left in it. This would be a painful lesson for the wolf of Rome in what would prove to be one of the longest sieges in its history. Today, let us witness the first wave of attacks in the epic siege of Carthage. The Third Punic War had been declared in 149 BC in the most lopsided of fashions. Carthage, diminished, disarmed, and defanged by the stipulations of the prior war, had little interest in drawing the eye of Rome. Thus, in the interbellum years, it had focused on domestic matters while shrugging off decades of torment and insult from its neighbors. Yet, at every turn, Rome had acted in bad faith. from turning a blind eye to the Numidians as they chipped away at Punic territory to using Carthaginian self-defense as cases belli and rebuffing all attempts at deescalation. So desperate were the Carthaginians for peace that they had surrendered their leaders, their children, and even their entire armory as appeasement. But this was not enough for Rome, who next demanded that they abandon their city entirely. With such ludicrous terms, the Punic ambassadors returned home with the heaviest of hearts. Back in Carthage, panic had reached a fever pitch. This crescendoed with the arrival of the envoys and the sight of enemy sales on the horizon. The council of 104 sumearily rejected Rome's demands as a shamelessly brazen overreach. The city may no longer have been a superpower, but neither was it a meek slave. There would be no surrender. What followed was a scene of indescribable madness. All who had previously argued for appeasement were lynched, stoned, or torn to pieces, while mobs went doortodoor hunting down any Italians who could be sacrificed as just recompense for the rapaciousness of their leaders. Meanwhile, the city was full of wailing and wrath, of fear and fer. People took refuge in the temples, invoking the gods who had abandoned them. all ran to the empty dockyards, the stables, and the armories to curse those who had robbed them of the means to now defend themselves. But a few kept their wits about them. These went to the gates and bolted shut the great doors of Carthage. The city would go down fighting. To this end, Aion reports the populace was seized by grim determination. Quote

"All minds were filled with courage from this transformation. All the sacred places, the temples, and every other unoccupied space were turned into workshops where men and women worked together day and night without pause, taking their food by turns on a fixed schedule. Each day they made 100 shields, 300 swords, 1,000 missiles for catapults, 500 darts and javelins, and as many catapults as they could. For strings to bend them, the women cut off their hair for want of other fibers. For the provision of the army, the citizen body was raised to take up arms, as were the slaves, who had been granted their freedom by decree of the Senate. For generals, they chose two men by the name of Hazdrabal. One to command the defenses and the other to maintain control of the 30,000 strong army which had been raised in the field. Against them came the Romans whom Aion claims numbered 80,000 ft and 4,000 horse supported by a fleet of 50 quincim and 100 galleys. While modern scholars tend to cast doubt on the size of this force, it was nonetheless a massive one, the likes of which had not been seen for many years. As the combined Roman fleet and army approached, it will now be worth reviewing the targets of their campaign. The city of Carthage lay at the tip of a promonry jutting out into the Bay of Tunis. This in and of itself offered great geographic protection. Man-made features further enhanced the position. Chief among them was a 32 km long set of circuit walls which fully enclosed the urban center and its neighboring agricultural district, the Megar. Most formidable still was the triple layered portion of the walls which ran along the 5 km wide neck of the peninsula. Featuring a series of palisades and ditches, it culminated in a massive 9 m thick and 20 m tall wall studded with towers and honeycombed by barracks and stables. To the south, a small section of the outer wall connected the landward defenses to the fortified ports known as the Kofon. First came the outer merchant harbor and further within the military harbor. The latter of these was most impressive. Its round shipyards had enough capacity to house over 200 vessels. At its heart was a central island bearing the admiral's quarters. These were elevated so as to survey the entire area. Access to the harbors, meanwhile, was controlled by a series of tower studded walls and a great chain which could be raised in emergencies. Altogether, this was to be among the most heavily fortified cities ever to find itself in the crosshairs of a Roman siege. Before such a mighty capital, even the Romans must have been aed. Yet the consoles believed that by pressing an immediate assault, they might precipitate a swift surrender or at the very least catch its defenders unprepared. Thus, plans were drafted for a two-pronged assault. The consul Manilius would attack directly from the ismas while his colleagues in Saurinus attacked from the south flank. The first of these assaults saw the main body of Roman troops erect a camp along the plains. Here they hastily prepared ladders, rams, ditch filling materials and other equipment. With these the eager manipuls of heavy infantry charged the enemy. Details are sparse, but it seems that they managed to begin foring the outermost trench and surmounting its low parapit. However, whatever hopes of quick victory may have energized their charge were quickly dashed. The Carthaginians answered with a hellish retort. Arrows, slings, bolts, and catapult stones which had been crafted in the feverish preparations of the past days now rained down upon the Roman lines to deadly effect. To make matters worse, any troops who managed to brave the maelstrom were swept off the

fortifications by swift counterattacks. These were not the browbeaten Carthaginians of just a few weeks prior. In the face of such a vigorous defense, the assault drew back. Meanwhile, the forces of Consul Sensorus hoped to capitalize on the distraction by bringing to bear ladders by land and sea against the more weakly built walls to the south. Yet here, too, they were met with unexpectedly stiff resistance. Troops approaching on the ground were turned into pin cushions as they disembarked to charge up the narrow tongue of land which offered no cover or room to maneuver. The situation was worse for the sitting duck legionnaires forced to make their approach aboard crowded warships here. Their confined decks made easy killing fields for the Punic troops directly overhead. Aion mentions that some of these vessels had been equipped with ladders mounted to their prowls with assault teams at the ready. But as had occurred on land, all attempts to ascend these rickety contraptions only resulted in the doom of those full hardy enough to try. But the consoles were far from giving up. Bullheaded as they were, it seems a second assault was ordered shortly after the first. Whether probing for perceived weak points or hoping to catch an enemy low on ammunition, they found neither. Carthage stood just as strong. Thus, the Romans were cast back, bloodied and bruised a second time. And so, in those first days of the siege of Carthage, the Punic lion roared and the wolf of Rome was humbled. Dazed by this turn of events, the two consoles now took a moment to regroup. This involved setting up camp along the Esmas and stationing ships around the harbor entrance to more properly begin tightening the noose around their foe. Yet the situation was complicated by the 30,000 strong Punic army which lay at the rear. While not mighty enough to take on the consular army directly, it could certainly undermine it. This included cutting off potential landbased supply lines and harassing foragers. For instance, when the console sensorists sent troops to collect wood for the construction of fresh siege works, the enemy was quickly upon them. Under the command of a certain Himlo, cavalry squadrons proved brutally effective, killing over 500 troops and seizing important materials in just one notable raid. Despite such losses, the consoles were nonetheless able to collect the requisite material to mount a third wave of attacks. These came once more against the two positions. Against the triple walls, the legions made some advances. Portions of the outer ditch were now firmly filled and their crossing protected by makeshift shield imp placements. This allowed troops to begin tearing down the next layer of defensive works. But the going was tough and subject to relentless pressure from the Carthaginians. After several more bloody days of effort, the console Manilius is said to have despaed of ever taking the city by this side. Thus, the Romans would seek another way. Efforts were now directed against the southern wall. It was here that Sensorinus had slowly been filling in the shallow lake, widening the approach available to the legions. Beyond Bshot, his troops had also completed the construction of a pair of monstrous rams. One was to be hauled into place by 6,000 foot troops, while the other was to be driven by an equivalent number of sailors. Such a division of labors was likely intended as a means to boost morale by having either side compete for the glory of first breaching the enemy's wall. In the weeks that followed, the great engines were slowly brought to bear. Climbing mounds of earth, the ram's heads aimed high. Then, shift after shift, crews hammered away at the stonework. During this process, we must imagine the withering exchange of missiles as both attacker and defender attempted to

suppress the other. Eventually, the legions managed to erode a portion of the walls. As it fell away, they caught a glimpse of the city in sight. Their prize was in sight. But the Punic commander had his own counterplays in mind. That evening, he applied determined pressure to regain control of the damaged portion of the walls. The fighting was fierce, but Rome's grip was eventually pried loose. Next, he dispatched work crews to initiate urgent repairs. These toiled all night. To buy them more time, Sortis were launched beyond the walls. Carthaginians now plunged into the Roman siege lines, bearing torches. While they failed to entirely destroy the rams, enough damage was inflicted to render them useless. Nonetheless, the Roman commanders were eager to regain the advantage. Once more, troops were masked before the damaged section of the wall and poured into the brereech. On the opposite side lay a patch of open ground where ranks of Carthaginians had massed. Behind the armed men were swarms of regular citizens with nothing more than stones, clubs, and improvised weapons. While above them, at top the nearby rooftops, were more individuals ready to offer ranged and morale support. Such was the Hornet's nest that had been stirred by the intrusion of the legions. Aion reports that as the Roman units squeezed through the opening to make a pass at the defenders, they were brutally hit from all sides. Rank after rank was mowled in this way. Only Cypio Amelianis, then a military tribune, had the quick thinking to properly divide and reign in his units. Thus were they able to properly secure the breach, ensuring the beach head remained open and preventing the utter destruction of Allied units during their retreats. Only such valiant efforts brought a silver lining to an otherwise grim and fruitless day of attacks. Further events undercut the Roman siege. First came sickness. It broke out in the camp of Sensorinus on account of the stagnant waters of the nearby lake. As this malady took hold, the situation was improved by relocating the camp nearer the sea. However, this now brought them in reach of a Carthaginian ploy. Sensing an opportunity, the defenders secretly launched a fleet of small rafts. These were set al light and swiftly carried by westerly winds directly onto the new Roman position. In the conflration which followed, much of the invading fleet was destroyed. To make matters worse, Sensorinus returned to Rome for elections, leaving behind his consulious, who lacked much military experience. Thus undermined, the Carthaginians were emboldened to attack them. This manifested one night as a massive sally against the legionary camp. Punic forces rushed across the ditches and began tearing down the palisades. Now was a chance to write the wrongs and drive the invaders back. If the folk could be wounded here, then perhaps Hasdrabal and the field army could close in for the kill. Unfortunately, such dreams would be dashed once more. In this hour of chaos, it was Cypio who saved the Romans by riding out with the cavalry to throw back the asalants. Even still, this had been a close-run affair. In the aftermath, Sensorinus was shaken by the threat to his life. He now fell back from the enemy walls to establish a more heavily fortified camp in the middle of the peninsula. It was anchored along the sea by an additional fort meant to secure landing for the supply ships vital to his continued campaign. Such moves betrayed the reality of the situation that was settling in. This would not be a short siege, but few at the time could have predicted that it would drag on for another three grueling years. When Rome decided to launch the third

Punic War, it had done so with the expectation that destroying Carthage would be easy. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Despite the African city dismantling its whole fleet and yielding its entire arsenal before the fighting had even started, the defenders fought like lions. Time and again, determined Roman assaults were thrown back with brutal casualties. However, amidst these disasters, one man distinguished himself in both honor and bravery. Whether that meant suicidally charging into the frey to save abandoned troops or judiciously holding the line to cover their retreat. His name was the first on the lips of every soldier when asked who alone could lead them to victory. This is the rise of Cypio Amelianis and the siege of Carthage. The year is 148 BC, roughly 12 months since the start of the siege. Having had difficulty in taking Carthage directly, the Romans now seek to entirely cut off its support from the rest of Africa. This begins with the ravaging of the countryside as both punishment and a means of collecting supplies. In such affairs, the legions were shadowed by African cavalry under the command of Famas. These he led from secret bases to ambush and strike at the foragers to deadly effect. It was said that only the tribune Cypio Amelanis proved resilient to the raids on account of his prudent scouting and well disciplined operations. Such traits were viewed by the Romans as naturally befitting of his familial pedigree. After all, he was the son of Lucius Emilis Polus, victor of the third Macedonian war and adoptive grandson of Cypio Aricanis. vanquisher of Hannibal in the second Punic War. From the clay of this lineage, Cypio Almelianis had molded his own budding career. First as a participant in the Macedonian war, then as a tribune in the Nummentine War, where he reportedly won both the Mural Crown and the Spolio Opimma. Thus decorated, he had pulled the necessary strings to be assigned to the army now in Africa. his exploits would only continue to mount. For now, this meant doing what he could whilst under the authority of Consul Manilius. Therefore, when the legions had concluded their ravaging of the countryside, Cypio returned with them to the main camp on the ismas. In retaliation from these depradations, the Carthaginians launched a surprised night attack on the sea fort which housed important supplies. Apparently, a great number of citizens joined in on the effort, making much noise so as to increase the impression of a large host coming forth. This succeeded in panicking consul Manilius, who kept his men in camp. Only Tribune Cypio took the initiative. Riding out with 10 turmy of horse, he too played the act of a larger force. By having the squadrons fan out with torches and make faints all across the front. Thus was the enemy's momentum halted and its own ranks thrown into chaos. By daybreak, the Carthaginians had retreated back to the city. The console Manilius next chose to return to operations in the interiors of Africa. To this end, he planned to confront the field army of Hazdrabal, presently located in Niferus. However, the road there was winding and flanked by rough terrain which might hide any number of dangers. Cypio protested but was overridden by the other tribunes. Thus, they pressed on. Eventually, the legions crossed a river, stumbling upon the Carthaginians nearby. A terrible battle ensued which saw many die on both sides, but none emerged the clear victor. Towards the end of the day, Hazdrabal pulled back to the local heights while Manilius attempted to double back across the river. However, the fordding proved difficult. Hazdrabal seized on the opportunity to swoop down upon them. Here he slew vast numbers of Romans, including several of their tribunes. But once more in this hour of need, Cypio rode out with the cavalry to

confront the foe. With but 300 horse, he managed to distract the enemy long enough to allow their comrades to complete the crossing. And yet in the process, some 2,000 legionaires had been left across the far bank where they were in the midst of being encircled. The main army hesitated, considering whether it was worth risking the whole for the sake of the few. But for Cypio, the choice was easy. He immediately set off with the cavalry to rescue them or die trying. Riding hard, this relief force arrived just as the final assault was to take place. Without skipping a beat, Cypio assessed the situation and deafly led the cavalry to a hill behind the attackers, threatening to flank them should any move be taken. At this sudden turn of events, the enemy fled and the besieged Romans were led back to safety before a pursuit could be mounted. For this, Cypio was hailed as the hero of the legions. Adding further to his reputation was the respect he commanded among the army, allowing him to negotiate the proper burial of the fallen who were left behind. When all returned to camp, Cypio's deeds stood as a small silver lining in an otherwise disappointing campaign. This caught the attention of investigators sent by the Senate to understand the nature of the stagnating situation. As a result, they tasked him with reaching out to Masanisa and the Numidians for support. Unfortunately, the old king would soon die, leaving Cypio to assist in sorting out the situation of his heirs. From this came an agreement to have the prince Gala join the Romans with his troops. These in turn were used to root out Famus from the hiding places he had been using to harass the Romans. As a final master stroke, Cypio then persuaded this most formidable enemy to not just surrender, but to actually switch sides. Thus did the year end with a significant shift in the balance of power towards the Romans. All on account of the tribune's hard work. With the coming of winter, the armies now stood down. Cypio actually returned to Italy with many wishing he might one day return as console to be the one who finally concluded the siege of Carthage. For now, however, it would be the newly elected console Kalpernius Piso and his legotus, Lucius Mansinus, who sailed to Africa to assume command of that theater of operations. That spring they would kick off the campaign season by striking out at the towns surrounding Carthage. On top of the list was Aspis. An assault was made by land and sea, but these were foiled. Out of apparent frustration, the consul Piso sacked another nearby town despite its inhabitants believing they were protected by a prior treaty. After this, an attack was made on Hippogreta, which had been preying on Roman supply ships. Yet it too proved stubborn in resistance. With Punic help, the inhabitants even managed to destroy the Roman siege equipment. Thus, the console was forced to end the year's affairs with another failure. Such disappointments were beginning to mount. Making matters worse, they emboldened the Carthaginians, who not only made overtures to the other powers of Africa for help, but also reached out to Rome's enemies abroad, such as Perseus of Macedon. For now, many sat on the sidelines, waiting to see which way the winds were blowing. If things didn't improve for Rome, the situation could quickly get out of hand. A new leader was needed to decisively change the narrative. Back in Rome, the people had but one name on their lips for who might next take command of the war. Cypio Amelanis. However, there was a small complication. The man was still too young to legally be elected to the position of console, running instead for that of Edile in the elections of 148 BC. Matters came to a head as Rome's politicians rebuffed the people's will on account of its illegality. In response, a tribune of the people

threatened to revoke the right of the consoles to even hold an election at all. Finally, the impass was broken when a special age exception was made for this year's appointments. Thus, it was that Cypio received the unprecedented honor of being elected consil at the age of 36. His appointment to command of the legions in Africa came shortly thereafter. But not all were keen to pass the torch to this upstart. Mansinus, who yet still held command as Legatus, made a final gamble to seize the city of Carthage himself. The plan was to target a portion of the wall which had so far been neglected on account of it being protected by seemingly impossible cliffs. One day when the omens proved favorable, Mansinus swiftly moved in with a small assault force. These scrambled up the cliff, planted their ladders, and began the ascent. A nearby Carthaginian garrison spotted them just in time. These sied out to the nearest gate and rushed to disrupt the cliffside operation. A scuffle ensued. When the defenders then attempted to pull back, the Romans followed in hot pursuit. In the chaos, they actually managed to slip through the gate house. All of a sudden, the legions were inside the city. Mansinus, who had been monitoring affairs from nearby ships, was just as shocked as the Carthaginians. Without wasting a moment, he ordered an immediate disembarkment. Troops and sailors, half armed and armored, now followed the commander in a mad dash for the gates. One can only imagine the exhilaration of Mansinus as he effortlessly passed through the threshold of fortifications that for years had bedeled the legions. Many thanks were especially owed to the gods for granting him this opportunity where so many before had been denied. But first this towhold in the city had to be secured. One option would be to press the advantage. However, with night approaching, it would be unwise to rush out into the unknowns of the dark. On the other hand, to wait the coming of dawn meant also awaiting an inevitable counterattack by the defenders. Mansinus opted for the latter. Occupying a strong position near the walls, he dug in for the night whilst sending urgent messages to Consul Piso to bring men and supplies with all haste. Just as the messengers for relief reached Utica, newly appointed Consul Cipio arrived by boat. Around midnight, he became appraised of the situation and immediately jumped into action. First, he sent out the cavalry to join Consul Piso in a quick march on the city. Second, he ordered his newly arrived fleet to sail out at once for support. And third, he released the Punic ambassadors with a message to bring back to Carthage. Tell them Cypio is coming. At dawn, Mansinus found that the sun's first rays revealed a vast mob from Carthage bearing down on his position. Though he had 3,500 men under his banner, scarcely 500 of these were armed. The latter of these he formed into a defensive circle to protect the former. With barely a moment to spare, the Carthaginians were upon them. These assailed them from all sides with swords, spears, clubs, javelins, and arrows. The attacks grew fiercer with each part of the circle that was whittleled away. Soon enough, the casualties would be so high that the perimeter would collapse. Desperately, Mansinus ordered his men to pull back towards the wall. Here, they would attempt to make a stand, but time was not on their side. Soon the enemy's pressure was so great that the Romans were pushed back to the very precipice of the cliffs. But just as it seemed the survivors would be dashed upon the rocks, Aion reports, quote, Cypio's fleet came in sight, driven at a tremendous rate of speed with soldiers crowding the decks everywhere. Gradually, the Carthaginians drew back, and Cypio received those who had been in

peril into his ships. Once more, a chance to seize Carthage had failed. But at the same time, a chance to save Roman lives had succeeded thanks to the quick work of Cypio. Next time, however, he would ensure that there would be no disaster in need of saving. Upon taking full control of the army in Africa, Cypio recognized that to conquer Carthage, he first had to conquer the legions. Over the two years of campaigning, these had fallen into a sorry state. Lacking in discipline and poorly supplied, they had fallen to idleness, avarice, and banditry. Worse yet were the camp followers who had swelled with huers and leeches of all kind. Cypio began by first calling up the camp for a speech and stating the enemy from the hopeless weakness in which I left him has risen to such strength and your labor has been made harder by your laziness. If I considered you to blame for this, I should punish you now. But since I ascribe it to another, I shall overlook the past. Follow the example of my habits and my industry. We must toil while the danger lasts. Spoils and luxury must be postponed to their proper time. This I command, and this the law commands. Those who obey shall reap large rewards. Those who do not will repent it. And with that, he dismissed the troops whilst ordering that the camp be entirely purged of all non-soldiers. Only those bearing necessary food stuffs may return. All exceptions were subject to Cypio's final approval. In the days which followed, the men were thus renewed in spirit and focused in purpose. This was likely further honed by drills and exercises. But such practice did not last long. Soon their metal would be put to the test against the walls of Carthage once more. This would be Cypio's first true trial of command. The siege of Carthage had dragged on for two long interminable years. Yet now, as Cypio Emmelianis took command, he would bring matters to new heights of expediency and intensity. This would involve bold plans to bring down the mighty capital. They included a night assault upon the bread basket of its agricultural suburb, the raising of siege lines to choke off the city by land, and the construction of a gargantuan mole to seal off the city by sea. But against such schemes, the Carthaginians would not sit idle. From their desperation came brave counterattacks and shrewd counterfoils which bedeled the Romans at every turn. At stake was nothing less than the very survival of their civilization. Now let us bear witness to this most dire contest of wills. This is Cypio's trial by fire in the siege of Carthage. Cypio Emmelianis was eager to make a name for himself as the man who finally tamed Carthage. Thus, as a newly elected console with but one year's imperium, he set out a bold plan to take the city. where others had tried and failed on multiple attempts. He would succeed by targeting the Mega District with a dualpronged night assault. The operation began just after the sun had set. In the dark, huddled masses wrapped themselves for warmth and for concealment as officers conferred with their guides on the routes to be taken. Cypio's first division set off on a sweeping maneuver meant to begin wrapping around the suburbs opposite side. Shortly after these had departed, a second division advanced directly against the main walls. Armed with axes, ladders, and crowbars, these assault forces crossed the roughly

3 km to the enemy position. For a time, they remained obscured by the night. Inevitably, however, the watchmen upon the walls spotted them, raising an alarm. Yet, this was anticipated by Cypio, who had a clever ploy at the ready. In response to the enemy shouts, he had his own troops directly ahead of them respond with their own cries. This confirmed to the foe that an assault was indeed underway. Next, however, came a second chorus of shouts raised by the troops which had been flanking the position. The effect of their positioning was such that it sounded as though the Romans were attacking from both sides. The enemy was inside the walls. Understandably, this unleashed terror upon the defenders. Panicked Carthaginians scattered into the night. Attempting to raise the alarm and rally at the next line of fortifications. Phase one was accomplished. Now the legions attempted to actually breach the walls. However, this proved difficult in the dark. Despite trying his utmost to scale the fortifications, phase two was failing. Thankfully, a deserted tower was spotted near the position. Without skipping a beat, Cypio ordered the bravest of his men to seize the building and raise a makeshift bridge from its roof to the walls. As they did so, defenders began to rally, challenging the construction with their weapons. The Romans responded in kind with volleys of javelins. Eventually, the task was achieved, and the first troops now rushed over the chasm of night onto the enemy battlements. This squad quickly cleared the wall, rushed down the stairs, and opened a nearby gate. 4,000 Romans poured in. These fanned out to seize control of the foothold. Many bewildered Carthaginians were captured while the panic was such that the rest abandoned the outer fortifications making for the inner Bersa hill acropolis. It was a triumphant breakthrough. However, the same darkness which had granted the Romans victory now threatened to undo them. Aion reports. Quote, "As the Megaro was planted with gardens and was full of fruitbearing trees divided off by low walls, hedges, and brambles, besides deep ditches full of water running in every direction, Cypio was fearful, lest it should be impracticable and dangerous for the army to pursue the enemy through roads that they were unacquainted with, and lest they might fall into an ambush in the night. Accordingly, he withdrew. Such restraint was the mark of a true commander who knew the dangers of war. And so the tide of the Roman assault receded just as quickly as it had come. The Carthaginians were bewildered by this turn of events. As morning came and revealed the immediate danger had passed, their fear now turned to anger. Hazdrabal in particular wished to exact some retribution for the attack and raise the morale of his troops. Thus, Appion remarks, quote, "He took the Roman prisoners whom he held, brought them upon the walls in full sight of their comrades, and tore out their eyes, tongues, and tendons with iron hooks. Of some he lacerated the soles of the feet. He cut off the fingers of others, and some he flayed alive. All who survived these torches he hurled from the top of the walls. He thus gave the Carthaginians to understand that there was no possibility of peace with the Romans and sought to fire them with the conviction that their only safety was in fighting. Apparently, this hardline move drove a rift in the Punic ranks. Some yet held out hope that a deal might be struck and some form of amnesty received. Hazdrabal's barbaric display dashed those plans and so members of the Senate denounced him. In response, he had them arrested and killed. Thus did the city's protector become its tyrant. Carthage would go down fighting whether it wanted to or not. Such affairs suited Cypio. He now torched the enemy's abandoned outer camp and set about sealing in the tomb of Carthage. This involved the construction of a massive siege line across the 4 1/2 km wide ismas.

For 20 days, the legions toiled, cutting trees, digging ditches, erecting towers, building walls, and laying out enttrapments. The end result was a formidable feat of military engineering. It consisted of two major trench lines, one which faced Carthage and the other the mainland. The interior space was then bicted by two perpendicular trenches. Along each of these was raised a palisade along with rows of spiked barricades. The side facing Carthage was further reinforced by a wall 3 m tall and 1 m thick. Studded along its almost 5 km length were parapets and towers. At the very center of the line, Cypio ordered the construction of an observation post. Here the engineers first built a sturdy tower of earth and stone roughly 6 m tall. On top of this, they raised a second wooden tower reaching up an additional 12 m. From such heights, one could survey not just the countryside for miles around, but also peer into the heart of Carthage. It was a building of great strategic significance to the Romans, but also a looming monument of doom for the trapped Carthaginians. The completion of the siege works had an immediate impact on Punic logistics. No longer could they send out foragers into the countryside or receive overland convoys of goods. Now it was exclusively by sea that the city was fed. For a population of at least a half a million souls, the demands were intense. Some relief could be gained from fishermen and merchantmen. Rome's naval blockade, after all, was imperfect on account of the dangerous reefs and their ability to anchor too close to the walls of the city. Thus, when the wind blew just right, Carthaginian ships could run the Roman gauntlet. But such opportunities were rare, and what meager supplies trickled through, Hazdrabal claimed for his 30,000 soldiers. The people of Carthage were left to fend for themselves. No doubt this meant scouring the city and the mega for anything edible. But with hundreds of thousands desperately toiling in this manner for months on end at this point, the environment was picked clean. Starvation now set in. Perceiving this from the observation tower, Cypio decided to turn up the pressure. Why wait for the city to slowly starve when elections were around the corner and another might swoop in to claim his prize? Carthage must now also be choked off by sea. To this end, he planned to build out a grand mole of stone that would seal Carthage's harbor. Work began along the southern tongue of land, which had previously seen direct Roman assaults fail. While no attacks were planned, the area was nonetheless reinforced with cover for the laborers. Thus protected, they began staging materials and laying the 32 m wide foundations for a seaw wall whose sloping base would eventually support an 8 m wide top. This was to be another herculean task. Looking on, the Carthaginians derided the effort. construction would take months to show any progress, and many boasted that its execution was impossible in the face of the winds and tides. However, their grins quickly evaporated as the entire Roman army and fleet feverishly descended upon the once peaceful area, transforming its appearance into that of a disturbed and hill. Without end, they toiled. Day and night the stones were laid and the very land now rose to entomb the Punic Harbor. Seeing this, the Carthaginians devised their own plans. Aion writes, quote, they began to excavate another entrance at another part of the harbor in Midsy, where it was impossible to carry an embankment on account of the depth of the water and the fury of the wind. Even the women and children helped to dig. They began the work inside and carefully concealed what they were doing. At the same time, they built triams and quinkorimmes from old material. And they left nothing to be desired in the way of courage and high spirit. Moreover, they concealed everything so perfectly that not even

the prisoners could tell Cypio with certainty what was going on, but merely that there was a great racket in the harbor day and night. Undaunted, the Romans pressed on with their construction. When the moment was right, Carthage sprung its trap. At dawn, the last portion of the harbor wall was torn down. All of a sudden, from its moore poured a new fleet of 50 trimes and numerous other small vessels which had been cobbled together. These now flowed out to the open sea in full view of the Romans. The effect was dazzling and totally unexpected. Our sources claim that in that very moment, had Carthage plunged upon the attacker's position, it would have been routed and the entire enemy fleet captured. Such a feat would in turn have shattered the blockade, opening up Carthage to relief and allowing its armies to flip the script on the legions now trapped on land. Unfortunately, this grand entrance was merely meant as a show of force. Behind the scenes, we must imagine that the fleet was in reality far from being ready to actually fight. After all, its ships had never been tested in the open water, and the crews needed time to actually learn to operate together as a battle group. After posturing and practicing in the seas, the Punic ships returned to their new harbor. Yet, this was not the end of their scheme. Three days later, the makeshift fleet put to sail. This time fully loaded for battle, the Punic Triooms arranged themselves in a line along the shores of their city with the smaller ships swarming around them as supports and reserves. It was apparent they wanted a fight. The Romans obliged them. Legions abandoned their works and now loaded onto the Roman fleet. It's unclear how many ships were deployed for the showdown. Earlier reports put the invader's fleet at 50 quinkarimmes and 100 galleys at the start of the war. But how much it had degraded or been reinforced since then is unknown. Whatever the case, it seems that both sides were at rough par. And so they now rode into position against one another, each hoping that here in the waves bearing the reflection of Carthage, they would decide the fate of the city. Meanwhile, we must imagine that the whole citizenry of the capital was assembled a top its walls and its roofs to witness this climactic showdown. The year is 147 BC and the great general Cypio Emilian has been tasked with bringing about the final destruction of Carthage. Thus far, he has moved the pieces into place, whipping the legions into shape, building up formidable siege works and clamping down on the enemy's remaining lifelines. But Carthage fights like a cornered animal. It now prepares a wave of daring midnight sorties to destroy all of the foes engines of war whilst unleashing a secret fleet it has been assembling in the darkness. To succeed in this endeavor will be to turn the tides on the invader. But to fail risks sapping the last of their resources in a race against starvation. This is the last ray of hope in the siege of Carthage. After years of failed attempts to directly assault the city of Carthage, Rome had finally settled in to properly besiege the capital of their arch enemy under the command of Cypio Emmelianis. This had first begun with the construction of a nearly 5 km long double wall across the entire ismas. Carthage was decisively cut off by land. Next, he turned to the sea, building a gargantuan causeway of rocks to choke off the harbor. However, before it could be completed, the Carthaginians burst through the walls of their own port with a new fleet they had been building in secret. Now, both sides faced off for an unexpected naval battle for the fate of the city.

The fleets spent the early hours of the day maneuvering into position. Eventually, the time came. Trumpets sounded, drums beat, and men shouted. With that, the rowers advanced, momentum slowly built as the warships closed together. With a great crash, the large vessels rammed or grappled each other. their marines eager to close in for boarding action. Whilst these titanic quincare and triammes sparred, a swarm of lesser ships moved in to participate in the struggle. According to Appion, quote, "During the battle, the Carthaginian smallboats, running under the sides of the Roman ships, which were taller, stowve holes in their sterns and broke off their oars and rudders and damaged them in various other ways, advancing and retreating nimly. In this way did the struggle rage past midday. With each swing in the battle, cheers went up from the Romans and Carthaginians who watched from the shores nearby. But the going was tough and the waters soon clogged with bodies and timbers. The participants were tired and bloodied. Yet even still, they persisted in this grinding battle. As evening approached, the victor was still undecided. Carthage decided to begin withdrawing rather than be caught out in the open at night. The goal would be to rest and recover for a fight the next day. However, as they attempted to pull back through the makeshift exit in the harbor walls, their ships became congested on account of their numbers. Only the small vessels were able to retire through the breach. The larger warships meanwhile pulled into a wide dock which had been built along the outer seaw wall for the unloading of merchant vessels. As the Roman fleet gave chase, the Punic ships arranged themselves with their rams facing outwards to receive the assault. Meanwhile, their crews dispersed across the decks and surrounding parapets to offer supporting fire. The position was strong, yet at a standstill, it meant that the Roman ships were able to deliver brutal charges. However, the Carthaginians managed to return the favor in the painfully long amount of time it took the attackers to row backwards. This would be no easy task, but Cypio was determined to dash the fleet then and there before Knight could rescue them. At the current rate, this would mean the equal obliteration of his own ships, a heavy toll for victory. Thankfully, answering this call came from a group of five allied Greek ships. These cleverly dashed at the Carthaginians only after having tied long ropes to weights and dropped anchor. The proper measurements had been made such that they had just enough slack to strike the enemy, at which point they could use the rope to quickly pull themselves back to safety. Observing the effectiveness of this tactic, the rest of the Roman fleet followed suit. Great damage was done in the ensuing hours, but the coming of night brought rest bites to the Carthaginians before they could be dealt a mortal wound. Under the cover of darkness, they now retreated into the city. The next day, Cypio determined that the enemy's position at the docks must be destroyed, lest they use it to ever again threaten his own fleet. To this end, he now mobilized rams and other siege engines to batter down its defenses. Against them stood the Carthaginians who fought back from the surrounding parapets. Yet from a distance they could only slow the determined push which eventually managed to bring down a portion of the walls. That night however the defenders prepared a daring sort. Stripping naked dozens of Carthaginians plunged into the sea to sneak their way up to the siege works. Still undetected, the asalants then lit their torches. In an instant, the ploy was revealed and the alarms raised. Appion writes, quote, becoming visible and being naked, they suffered greatly from wounds. Barbed arrows and spear points rained on their breasts and faces. Even still, they did not relax their efforts, but rushed forward like wild beasts against the

blows until they had set the engines on fire and put the Romans to disorderly flight. Panic and confusion spread through the whole camp, and such fear as was never before known, caused by the frenzy of these naked enemies. So great was the chaos that Cypio was forced to rush out himself. A top a horse, he charged into the stream of fleeing soldiers, ordering his lieutenants to slay any who did not rally. In this desperate effort, even Cypio was forced to cut down his own men. Eventually, some order returned when the Romans were able to rally in the nearby camp. Even still, they remained fearful of what dangers may yet await them in the dark and spent the entire night under arms. Such paranoia was to the advantage of the Carthaginians, who were able to now complete the destruction of the siege works and swim home. At dawn, the Romans still found themselves shocked by the events of the prior night. The defenders thus seized the initiative, rebuilding the damaged section of the wall and even reinforcing it with new towers. In the days which followed, Cypio was finally able to rally his men and return to the offensive. New siege engines were built while tall mounds of earth were raised against the enemy position. Together, these allowed the Romans to look up and over the defensive wall. From this vantage point, they threw torches and pitched filled vessels upon the towers. A great conflration was raised. The flames destroyed the Punic towers, driving the Carthaginians back. Legionaries attempted to give chase, but the area was reportedly so slippery with blood that the pursuit was abandoned. Even still, Cypio was determined to claim his prize. The entire dock was claimed and a wall of bricks raised around it. This he built to the same height as the walls of the city. 4,000 men were stationed in the newly erected stronghold. From their vantage point, these now rained down javelins and darts upon the enemy. In this way, could the legions exert further pressure on the defenders whilst keeping an eye out for any future tricks they might be planning? As fall turned to winter, Cypio was satisfied with the progress he had made against the city itself and now sought other ways to undermine Carthage. Normally, the winter months were a time for armies to power down. However, Cypio was determined not to waste a moment of his annual command. Instead, he planned to sweep Punic power entirely from the countryside. To achieve this feat, he would have to defeat the enemy's field army, some 50,000 strong, which lay encamped near Neferus. But the Romans lacked the strength to both besiege Carthage and this position on their own. Thus, the Numidians were called upon to supply troops. These allies came under Prince Galoosa, bearing numerous skirmishes, cavalry, and war elephants. The assault upon the enemy camp began with these Numidians being used to incessantly harass the Carthaginians. Under this screen, the legions were able to raise rudimentary siege works. These then advanced to tear two holes in the enemy's perimeter palisade. Now, Cypio prepared 3,000 of his heavy infantry for a plunge through the breaches. But before the operation began, he discreetly chose 1,000 picked men to sneak around to the opposite side of the enemy's camp. Once in position, he ordered the attack to the front. The Roman assault was carried out in a disciplined manner with one division after the other being lined up to take their turn at the defenses. In this way did they hammer away with unyielding tenacity. Like moths to a flame, the Carthaginian defenders rushed to defend against the assault, just as anticipated. Now the order was given to the ambush teams. charge. 1,000 picked troops rushed upon the unprotected enemy rear

tearing down the palisades with axes or scaling it with ropes. These poured over the camp walls. Seeing this, the Carthaginians panicked, thinking that a second army was upon them. Thus, the defenders fell into a route, abandoning the camp in all directions. But the Numidians were there to catch them. Aion claims that in the aftermath, some 70,000 of the enemy's number, including non-combatants, were slaughtered. From this defeat, about 4,000 of the defenders escaped. These now sought refuge in the nearby city of Neferis. But Cypio's wrath could not be averted. The legions next descended upon these fortifications, putting them to siege. For 22 days, the Romans labored. Apparently, they suffered greatly on account of the winter conditions and the bite of the defenders. However, after nearly a month, Cypio was able to claim the city as his own. With this victory over the enemy army and an example made of a great town, the rest of the African communities were humbled. All either bent the knee or fell after a quick struggle. At long last, Carthage was now truly on its own. With such success under his belt, Cypio's command of the African campaign was extended for another year. He above all others could be trusted to finish the job. Spring of 146 BC had arrived. With it came a thoring of the land and a reawakening of the siege engines. Cypio now pressed his assault upon Carthage at two points, the Berserill and the Kthon. Against the former, the going was tough. For years, the legions had struggled to breach the enemy's landwood triple defenses and despite penetrating the Mega District on numerous occasions, had achieved little more than purging its outskirts of defenders. Thus, as the Romans returned to the action here, they were still faced with the formidable obstacle of its intact walls. Meanwhile, the assault upon the Kofon proved more promising. It was here that just before winter, the legions had battered down the enemy's outer defenses and erected their own makeshift citadel. Thus, as Cypio prepared his troops for an assault upon the merchant section of the harbor, the defending general Hazdrabal was desperate for a way to stop them. With few men on hand to contest an assault, he instead chose to set fire to the warehouse facilities. As these burned, they created a firewall between Rome and Carthage. The ploy worked in buying the defenders time to secure their next fallback position, presumably on the inland side of the merchant harbor. However, Gas Leas, a deputy of Cypio, chose this moment to retake the initiative. Leading a few detachments, he advanced against the walls of the circular military harbor. These were thick in construction, but appear to have been weakened by the temporary harbor exit the Carthaginians had carved the preceding year. As the asalants approached, the defenders raised an alarm. They understood the frailty of the position and now rushed to reinforce the spaces of the Kthon with a mass of piled timbers, scaffolding, and discarded siege engines. It was a desperate move to hold back the coming tide of violence. When this washed upon them, the defenders were pounded by its intensity. Guards, weakened by long months of starvation, struggled to haul more materials into place or to strike back at the legions who hacked away at the fortifications. One must imagine the sinking feeling of dread which set in with each pounding at the walls. Carthaginians who for over 2 years had bravely held out against the Romans now found the last of their energy sapped in the attempt to resist just one day longer. What could men do against such reckless

hate? And so many slumped to the ground, resigned to the inevitability of their doom. This was the end. Tenit Bahal, guardians of the city, why have you forsaken us to these demons? Such were the desperate prayers of the Carthaginians who faced Rome's final assault upon their capital in 146 BC. For three long years, the city had held out against all odds. Though stripped of its armies, its fleets, and its weapons of war at the start of the conflict, Carthage had fought back with the ferocity of a lion. No inch of ground was yielded without a fight. No assault went unanswered without a counterattack. No act of daring was unmatched by staunch resolve. In this way, the Carthaginians had held their ground and even threatened to destroy the invaders outright on multiple occasions. But alas, against the crushing might of Rome and its brilliant commander, Cypio Amelianis, their efforts were ultimately in vain. Starved of food, of soldiers, and of hope, the legions finally broke into the city. Yet even then, the lion roared in defiance. What followed would be one of the most brutal chapters of urban warfare ever recorded in antiquity. From avenues to courtyards, bedrooms, and rooftops, the sons and daughters of Bahal Hmon refused to yield to Rome's advance all the way to the inner sanctum of the Acropolis. This is the story of the heroic last stand of Carthage. In 146 BC, Cypio Amelanis had been honored with an extension to his command of the legions in Africa. He had but one mandate to terminate the siege of Carthage. Thus it was that in the spring his troops had waged twin assaults upon the vestigages of the city's defenses. One thrust aiming for the Bersa citadel and the other aiming for the Kthon harbor. The latter of these had proved most fruitful. The defenses on this front having been softened by heavy fighting the prior fall. As the Romans pushed into this flank of the city, it began to cave. Years of attritional fighting and starvation were showing their toll upon the defenders who struggled to hold back the tide. Along the merchant docks, Hasdrabal had resorted to arson to slow the invaders. Meanwhile, within the military docks, desperate Carthaginians attempted to pile up barricades as quickly as they were being torn down. But it was not enough. Finally, after three long years, the great dam of Carthage was about to burst. As the fires abated and the timbers collapsed, the legions now poured into the city. First came Leulius's contingent. On their own initiative, these had penetrated into the military harbor. Brushing aside feeble, starving defenders, they now took the first steps within a city which had for so long denied them. Now the soldiers flowed across the harbor's circular interior, cutting down all who yet remained in the facilities. As they advanced, they would have had to clear each of the ship sheds. While many were empty, others likely hosted the skeletal remains of the fleet Carthage had hastily assembled the previous winter. Their parts long since having been salvaged for other purposes. Though of no military value, these still might have served as refuge for Punic defenders who had not managed to find the exits fast enough. Perhaps their best hope was to hide away and shelter from the coming storm. However, none would have been spared in the adrenalinefueled rampage of the

troops. For now, this fury was confined to the perimeter of the docks as night was fast approaching. Thus it was that Cypio's contingent, which had similarly been wading through the wreck of the merchant harbor, was forced to halt its advance. They did so in the center of the nearby forum. On this open ground, the legions established a perimeter of guards while the main body hunkered down for the night under full arms. Few would have been able to sleep, their veins coursing with the adrenaline of fear and anticipation. Here they were, after years of anticipation, laying in the very heart of Carthage. Its twinkling lights sparkled around them, seemingly as numerous as the stars. For this fleeting moment, an eerie stillness came upon the world. Meanwhile, the Carthaginians would have spent an equally restless night. Gathering in their windows or on their roofs, the citizens peered out into the dark, squinting to confirm the whispers which were spreading like wildfire. They are here. The Romans are inside the city. It's hard to imagine what one would have done in this situation. The gravity of the moment must have saturated the air with an intoxicating myasma of dread. Likely many prayed to their gods for mercy or salvation. Others took actions into their own hands. Militias rounded up the able-bodied while passages were barricaded and doorways boarded up as a final line of protection. Those unfit to fight meanwhile crammed provisions into sacks and prepared to make a break for it. Either seeking refuge in some distant corner of the city or at top the defensive heights of the Bersa hill. In an urban environment as vast as Carthage, there would have been anywhere to run. but nowhere to hide. As dawn broke, the Roman army began to stir. However, for now, the Carthaginians would be granted a momentary stay of execution. It seems that the waking legionaries had their thoughts drift from guarded battlements to unguarded temples. Thus, as 4,000 fresh troops were brought into the city to join them for the assault, a sudden mutiny of greed gripped their ranks. First in drips, then in droves, the Roman army disintegrated into a mob, which began to ransack the surrounding area. Aion reports, quote, "They entered the temple of Apollo, whose statue was there covered with gold in a shrine of beaten gold weighing 1,000 talants, which they plundered, chopping it with their swords, disregarding the commands of their officers until they had divided it among themselves. " Such fits of disorder were a common occurrence among soldiers, especially those who had finally reached a breakthrough in a long siege. It seems that this was fueled by both the cathartic release of tension and the fear of missing out on a chance to get rich. In either case, the loss of discipline could prove dangerous, and there are numerous records of pillaging troops having been slaughtered by traps and counterattacks on such occasions. It was for this reason that the later Roman army would enact strict bans on looting and methodically collect the spoils for redistribution so that soldiers felt assured they would get their share of the prize. In this case, it seemed that it would be the officers and Cypio's iron will which finally rallied the troops. With a mound of treasures gathered in the enemy's forum and the Acropolis as a backdrop, we can imagine how this charismatic commander may have addressed the men. Sons of Mars, what doubts have you in victory and in spoils? It was you who summoned me to this task. Have I not kept my words to you in these long years? Have I not led you in valor and in honor? Now I summon you to follow

me. The greatest glories yet await us at top the heights to arms. We have beaten them before, and when they see our weapons and feel our spirits, they will crack. Forget about this meager plunder. Win and you shall have it all. Thus refocused in purpose, the legions advanced against the Bersa. It was an ancient bastion strengthened by a natural hill, the city's oldest walls and a dense urban landscape. Here we are told that three main streets led from the forum to the fortress. These were flanked by tightly packed six-story apartment complexes. Within were the defenders who had turned such structures into fortified towers. From the windows and the roofs they now hurled insults and missiles at the approaching Romans. Some attempt was made to advance through the maelstrom. However, this was quickly halted. The Romans now targeted the first of these tall buildings led by centurions. Small bodies of troops swarmed through the colonades of their ground floors. As in Rome, these street level spaces would have been filled with market stalls, bakeries, shops, and other small businesses. However, these would have already been stripped clear by this point in the siege, leaving the troops nothing of value to get their hands on. But the true prize was the building itself. Thus, the Romans would have sought out the narrow winding staircases which led up to higher levels. Here is where resistance would have proved stiff. Defenders must have barricaded the passages and set up traps to hamper the asalants. Pushing through such tight quarters while encumbered with full armor, helmets, and shields would have proved even more difficult. Perhaps troops stripped down for breaching efforts or even set up ladders to clamber through windows to bypass this first hurdle. Whatever the case, it seems that they could not be stopped. As the Romans spilled out into the upper levels, fighting would have devolved into a chaotic close quarters brawl. Here, the struggle was deeply personal, taking place face to face in the very bedrooms of the Carthaginians. As this wave of violence slowly filled the building, any surviving defenders would have sought refuge at top higher ground, firing as they went or dropping heavy objects upon the intruders. Ultimately, the brawl culminated in fighting at top the very roof of the building. A desperate last stand was made in full view of the city. From neighboring heights, the defenders lent support as best they could. But soon the last of the holdouts was slain. One building down, dozens to go. Aion carries the narrative. Quote, "When they had mastered the first, they threw timbers from one to the other over the narrow passageways and crossed as on bridges. " While war was raging in this way on the roofs, another fight was going on among those who met each other in the streets below. All places were filled with groans, shrieks, shouts, and every kind of agony. Some were stabbed, others were hurled alive from the roofs to the pavement. Some of them al lighting on the heads of spears or other pointed weapons or swords. No one dared to set fire to the houses on account of those who were still on the roofs until Cypio reached the bersera. It's at this point that the Roman commander reformed his troops to take the Acropolis in what would become a siege within a siege. The attackers first found out to surround the fortifications. Next, orders were given to set fire to the surrounding structures, both to burn out any last defenders and to clear a path for the army's advance. The devastation of this mass arson should not be underestimated. Here, Appion brings color to the nightmare. Quote, "Then came new scenes of horror as the fire spread and carried everything down. The soldiers did not wait to destroy the buildings little by little, but all in a heap. So the crashing grew louder and

many corpses fell with the stones into the midst. Others were seen still living, especially old men, women, and young children who had hidden in the inmost nooks of the houses. Some of them wounded, some more or less burned and uttering pitous cries. Still others thrust out and falling from such a height with the stones, timbers and fire were torn aunder in all shapes of horror, crushed and mangled. Nor was this the end of their miseries. For the street cleaners who were removing the rubbish with axes, matics, and forks, and making the roads passable, tossed with these instruments, the dead and the living together into holes in the ground, dragging them along like sticks and stones, and turning them over with their iron tools. Trenches were filled with men. Some who were thrown in head foremost with their legs sticking out of the ground writhed a long time. Others fell with their feet downward and their heads above ground. Horses ran over them crushing their faces and skulls. Not purposely on the part of the riders, but in their headlong haste. Nor did the street cleaners do these things on purpose. But the tug of war, the glory of approaching victory, the rush of soldiery, the orders of the officers, the blast of the trumpets, tribunes and centurions marching their cohorts hither and vither alltogether made everybody frantic and heedless at the spectacles under their eyes. It's difficult to read a passage like this and not be moved. This was a scene of unimaginable brutality. A moment when the gods of mercy had utterly abandoned the Carthaginians to a foe which had shed all vestigages of its humanity to become the very incarnation of death itself. It's a scene of hell on earth, one which would be repeated over and over again in this final chapter of the siege. Aion reports, quote, "Six days and nights were consumed in this kind of fighting. The soldiers being changed so that they would not be worn out with toil, slaughter, want of sleep, and these horrid sights. Cypio alone toiled without rest, hurrying here and there without sleep, taking food while he was at work, until utterly fatigued and relaxed, he sat down on a high place where he could overlook the efforts. From such heights, the commander would have been able to surveil not just the Bersa hill, but also the surrounding districts of the Grand City. Taking these would require similarly grueling urban warfare. It is said that Cypio estimated the fighting might stretch on for many more days to completely extinguish the enclaves of survivors. But one way or the other, he was determined to see things through. Carthage must be destroyed. For the defenders, the bleak inevitability of their doom was all too apparent. No quarter was being given. Every inch taken by the Romans drove them closer to oblivion. Without a doubt, the city was lost. And if nothing was done, so too would its people. Thus it was that on the seventh day of hell, the surviving leadership of Carthage at top the Bersa hill finally offered to surrender. From its hallowed doors emerged an embassy. They bore olive branches and sacred garlands of Esclippius. These descended through the ruins of the city in a grim procession to the Roman lights. Here they were met by Cypio. While the conqueror had thus far shown a monstrous appetite for violence, he was also capable of mercy. The appeals to save the lives of the Carthaginian citizens was granted. 50,000 men, women, and children now emerged from the gate of the bersa. Under the careful watch of guards, these were escorted to the rear of the siege lines. However, not all were granted clemency.

In particular were the nearly 1,000 Roman deserters who at one point or another over the 3-year siege had found themselves switching sides. These, we are told, took final refuge within the temple complex of Esleius with the general Azdrabal and his family. Yet in a cruel twist of fate, the oathbreakers would find themselves betrayed. In secret, Hasdrabel slipped from their sides to that of the Romans, begging for his life. Thereupon, Cypio had him brought before the temple to kneel at his feet in full view of the desertters and his own family. Cypio then quieted his troops, giving time for the last defenders to hell the most vile of curses and insults at the emasculated general. It was a calculated, humiliating act of dominance. This ritual of conquest culminated with the remaining Carthaginians making one last act of resistance. They now set fire to the temple of Esclippius, the very heart and soul of the city, to deny the Romans a chance to claim its loot all their lives. In this raging funeral p of a once great empire stood the defiant wife of Hazdrabal. Aion records her final words. Quote, "For you, Roman, the gods have no cause of indignation since you exercise the right of war. Upon this Hazdrabal, betrayer of his country and her temples, of me and his children, may the gods of Carthage take vengeance, and you be their instrument. " Then turning to Hazdrabel. "Wretch! " she exclaimed. traitor, most effeminate of men. This fire will entomb me and my children. Will you, the leader of great Carthage, decorate a Roman triumph? Ah, what punishment will you not receive from him at whose feet you are now sitting? " Having reproached him thus, she slew her children, flung them into the fire, and plunged in after them. It was over. At long last, the siege of Carthage had ended. — The momentous nature of this event was not lost upon Cypio, who feared that one day the same doom would come for Rome. — Aion remarks on his thoughts as follows. Quote, Cypio when he looked upon the city as it was utterly perishing and in the last throws of its complete destruction is said to have shed tears and wept openly for his enemies after being wrapped in thought for long and realizing that all cities, nations, and authorities must like men meet their doom. that this happened to Iliam, once a prosperous city, to the empires of Assyria, Media, and Persia, the greatest of their time, and to Macedonia itself, either deliberately or the verses escaping him, he said, "A day will come when sacred Troy shall perish, and Pryam and his people shall be slain. But as Cypio sat musing of the future, the corpse of Carthage was still warm. What would become of its ruins, of its people, and of its legacy. — For now, you can catch script previews and download HD versions of our art on Patreon and YouTube memberships. A big thanks to the current supporters and to the researchers, writers, and artists for making this episode possible. We couldn't have done it without this team and this community. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like and subscribe for more content and check out these other related videos. See you in the next one.