Carthage, Tunisia (WHTM) – In the year 1985, a conflict that stretched back 2,131 years finally reached its formal conclusion. Dating back to the pre-Christian era, the Roman Republic, centered in Rome, Italy, and the Carthaginians, based in what is now Tunisia, were two dominant powers in the Mediterranean region, engaging in a rivalry for supremacy. This rivalry culminated in a series of conflicts known as the Punic Wars:
– First Punic War 264-241 BCE (23 years)
– Second Punic War 218-201 BCE (17 years)
– Third Punic War 149-146 BCE (4 years)
The name “Punic” comes from the Roman term for the Carthaginians, “Punicus” or “Poenicus,” reflecting Carthage’s Phoenician roots. Across these wars, the Romans emerged victorious, resulting in the loss of Carthaginian territories and eventual subjugation to Rome. The Third Punic War, triggered by fears of Carthaginian prosperity leading to further unrest, notably ended with the siege and destruction of Carthage in 146 BCE.
Contrary to the myth of salting the land, the area of Carthage remained vital strategically and economically, leading to a new Roman presence in the region. Today, the remnants of this history can be seen in modern-day Tunis, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, with the city’s harbors as a visible link to its storied past.
Despite the comprehensive destruction, a formal peace treaty concluding the Third Punic War was never signed, leaving a lingering unresolved issue. In the latter half of the 20th century, as Italy and Tunisia fostered closer ties, discussions arose about addressing this historical loose end.
On February 5, 1985, in a symbolic gesture of reconciliation, Ugo Vetere, Mayor of Rome, and Chedly Klibi, Mayor of Carthage and Arab League Secretary General, convened in Tunisia to officially “end” the Third Punic War. This event marked a milestone in strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two cities, finally bringing closure to a conflict that spanned over two millennia.
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