A lot is known about sophisticated maritime skills of the ancient Carthaginians, but much less is known about their agricultural prowess.

At the same time, Carthaginians were widely known as skilful farmers in Antiquity: a juicy Carthaginian fig, demonstrated to the Roman Senate by Cato the Elder, was once used as a proof of a growing power of the African state, urging the Romans to take action to nip the emerging danger in the bud.

While the Punic knowledge of agriculture may be irreversibly lost, some of the advice left by Mago, a Carthaginian agricultural writer, survived to our day in Roman and Greek translations done, among others, by Pliny the Elder and Varro. These few lines that survived out of 28 books provide us with invaluable insight into farming practices of pre-Roman Antique Africa:

If buying a farm, sell your town house. The most productive vineyards face north. How to plant vines. How to prune vines. How to plant olives. How to plant fruit trees. How to harvest marsh plants. Preparing various grains and pulses for grinding. How to select bullocks. Notes on the health of cattle. Mules sometimes foal in Africa. Mules and mares foal in the twelfth month after conception. Notes on farmyard animals. Getting bees from the carcass of a bullock or ox. The beekeeper should not kill drones (male bees). How to preserve pomegranates. How to make the best passum (raisin wine)

Follow us for fascinating insights into the history of Carthage!

hello everyone
i'm from Tunisia and i wanna know a few things
Tunisia is diverse (Phoenicians,Romans,Africans,Arabs,Greeks ect ect..) but still we have many Punic traditions and sometimes we practice and participate
how do you consider Tunisia today?? i know phoenicians From Syria and Lebanon and our country in the ancient time accepted phoenicians and then they become one,Carthaginians Amazigh,Libyans and Numidians ect ect
and where are u from?
tbh i always feel closer to Syrians and Lebanese people
and do you still participate in some rituals or traditions
here in Tunisia we have omek tannou (أمك طنقو) or Amuk taniqu in English
 Amuk TANIQU is an ancient Tunisian rainmaking ritual which was inherited from Punic and Berber traditions^([1]) involving invocations of the goddess Tanit.^([2])

Also we still have some Punic words like baali (when someone does a random thing we call him do it baali baali (baal) ect ect..

Punic Ports of Carthage is the most beautiful thing in Tunisia

https://preview.redd.it/uaaudml6jqce1.jpg?width=225&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e1f589bb3ccd88d2959e7d152022ff502424fb9

Sorry for my English
i just wanted to know if phoenicians traditions still there?
take care brothers!

Part 1️⃣

Hello, dear readers of Phoenicia History Facts! 🙏Apologies for the slight delay in bringing you this post and thank you all for your patience!

Today, we’ll take a journey into the fascinating world of Phoenician and Carthaginian religion. While less famous than Greek or Egyptian gods, deities of the Phoenician world present a rich, largely unknown tapestry that would be of special interest to anyone curious about antiquity.

In addition to the description of the powers that people attributed to the gods, below you will find a few words on their origin, as well as their equivalents from other contemporary cultures. While most of deities described here were worshipped all across the Phoenician world, I mentioned the specific cities where they played especial significance as patrons of the city.

1️⃣ Baal (Chief god)

Worshipped in: Tyre, Sidon, Carthage Role: Baal, whose name means “lord,” was originally a West Semitic storm god governing rain, thunder, and fertility—vital for agricultural societies. In Carthage, Baal became a protector of the city and its ventures, with rituals invoking his favor for success in trade and war. Origins: Baal originated in the Levant and shares connections with Canaanite deities like Hadad. His image traveled with Phoenician traders, becoming integral in their colonies. Analogs: Zeus (Greek), Jupiter (Roman), Hadad (Mesopotamian).

2️⃣ Astarte (Queen of Heaven)

Worshipped in: Sidon, Byblos, Carthage Role: Astarte symbolized fertility, love, and war. She was also connected to the planet Venus and invoked as a protector in times of conflict. Maritime Phoenicians revered her as a goddess of navigation, ensuring safe travels. Origins: Astarte emerged from the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar and blended with local Levantine traditions. Her worship spread across the Mediterranean, including Egypt and Greece. Analogs: Aphrodite (Greek), Ishtar (Mesopotamian), Venus (Roman).

3️⃣ Melqart (King of the City)

Worshipped in: Tyre, Carthage Role: As a god of seafaring, Melqart was central to the foundation myths of Phoenician settlements. He represented life’s cyclical renewal through myths of death and rebirth and served as a guide for travelers and traders. His annual festivals celebrated his triumph over death. Origins: Melqart, meaning “King of the City,” was deeply tied to Tyre’s identity as a major trading hub and the mother city of Carthage. Analogs: Heracles (Greek), Hercules (Roman).

4️⃣ Tanit (Mother Goddess)

Worshipped in: Carthage Role: Tanit, often depicted with a crescent moon and raised arms, was associated with fertility, protection, and the renewal of life. She became Carthage’s most prominent deity and was often invoked alongside Baal Hammon. Tanit’s cult rituals were thought to ensure prosperity and victory in war. Origins: Tanit likely evolved from earlier Canaanite mother goddesses and was uniquely adapted to Carthaginian culture, emphasizing her as a civic protector. Analogs: Artemis (Greek), Selene (Roman).

🛕The Ancient Pantheon of Phoenicia and Carthage. Part 2️⃣

5️⃣ Eshmun (God of Healing)

Worshipped in: Sidon Role: Eshmun was a compassionate god of healing and medicine, invoked in times of illness or plague. His temples often included sacred groves and healing springs. Mythology ties him to themes of sacrifice, as he reportedly immolated himself to achieve divinity. Origins: Eshmun originated as a regional deity in Sidon, later adopted across thePhoenician world. His name appears in inscriptions as “the Holy Prince.” Analogs: Asclepius (Greek), Aesculapius (Roman).

6️⃣ Reshef (God of Plagues and War)

Worshipped in: Ugarit, Phoenicia Role: Reshef was a paradoxical figure—both a bringer of destruction through war and pestilence and a protector invoked to stave off those very calamities. He was often depicted with a mace and a flame, symbols of his destructive and purifying powers. Origins: Reshef's roots are found in Canaanite and Ugaritic religion, where he was linked to fire and plague. His worship spread to Egypt, where he was integrated as a war deity. Analogs: Ares (Greek), Mars (Roman), Nergal (Mesopotamian).

As you can see, pantheon of the Phoenician world combines deities of many other cultures, mixing it with local interpretations, creating an interesting field of study.

What intrigues you most about the ancient gods of Phoenicia and Carthage? Share your thoughts in the comments, tap 👍 Like, and share with friends ☺️

Not sure if this is allowed I’ll take it down if it’s not but I have made a North African history sub feel free to join!! r/NorthAfricanHistory

What, if any, is their relationship?

Did the purple dye re-locate to the Phoenician city states after the Minoan collapse?

Is there anything else that links these two peoples?

I noticed that the Greeks called the Phoenicians "Phoenissae", and the double s is a legacy of the Pre-Greek (presumed Non-Indo European language).

View Poll

I have a deep passion for the history of Carthage, particularly because of its significance to me as a Tunisian. Carthage was founded by Phoenician merchants and traders who left Tyre to escape the pressure of the Assyrian Empire. However, my research suggests that by the time of the Punic Wars, the population of Carthage was predominantly Berber. I want to clarify that this is based on my own modest research, not a definitive claim.

One striking piece of evidence supporting this theory comes from the analysis of bones recovered from Punic War-era sites. DNA testing has consistently revealed that the remains belong to Berber individuals, with no trace of Phoenician (Levantine) ancestry. While it's often stated that Carthage’s army was primarily composed of mercenaries from neighboring regions, the absence of any Phoenician DNA in the remains is notable.

Additionally, there are accounts from early Roman-era scholars and writers from Carthage who self-identified as Berber, such as Tertullian. These writings further suggest a strong Berber presence in the city during its later years.

Other points to mention is the influence of Berber culture on Carthage in terms of traditions, clothing and even religion as many of the Carthaginian gods come from Berber religion. Carthaginian wear especially for women as well comes from Berber traditions. Tanit as well was a Berber god before being introduced to the Carthaginian Pantheon as Baal's wife.

My question here is, how pure Phoenician were in later stages of Carthage? Is it really just a Phoenician empire or did Phoenicians mix with the locals of north Africa and merged with them creating a distinct identity and one may say even ethnicity?

It looks so awesome, like straight out of a sci-fi movie. What’s the benefit of this design? Rectangular mercantile harbor outside the circular war harbor? Doesn’t the narrow passage and the circular ring prevent quick mobilization of the warships?

Greek:

Ἀντίπατρος Ἀφροδισίου Ἀσκαλωνίτης.

Δομσαλὼς Δομανὼ Σιδώνιος ἀνέθηκε.

Antipatros, son of Aphrodisios, of Ascalon.

Domzalos, son of Domanos, of Sidon, dedicated [this].

Phoenician:

'NK ŠM[.] BN 'BD'ŠTRT 'ŠQLNY 

'S YTN'T 'NK D'MȘLH BN DMHN' ȘDNY 

I am Shem[.], son of Abdashtart, from Ashkelon.

(This here is the stele,) which I, Domseleh, son of Domhano, from Sidon, have erected

https://preview.redd.it/wn25j6o8cxyd1.jpg?width=3905&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7c251c6409d1bc837841da1c4ddc85e7662dc19

I have had editors reach out from non-editing subreddits before, and I assume someone with a background related to these subjects might have some additional insight when it comes to adding the right aesthetic to the videos, so I thought I would reach out here. Looking for someone who can edit like this, my Indo-European channel is also linked on my profile:

https://youtu.be/Y7ExXLcy26s?si=YXQL6W3JY9FYJPdz

https://youtu.be/4hZN4YtBPpg?si=Nir4bAxyauZTJSAo

Would prefer if you just send 1-2 examples of editing that would match what I am looking for. I will only move over to another messaging app when I decide to move forward with you. Editing does not need to be as complex as the linked examples, but should be visually appealing. My current budget is [$10/min of completed video], although I am open to increasing this if my channel grows and I like your work. Must be available to edit at least every 2 weeks, the general delivery time should be 5 days/10 min, but it can be extended for more complex animations. Must be able to do map animations. I will try to find some images and music, but you must be willing to research and find the rest. The topic is Afro-Asiatic studies, I would like a brief statement about how interesting that topic might be for you and why. I would like to see a one-minute sample with materials I provide, so you must be willing to do that.

I know my measure is pretty vague and that the other city states achieved periods of preeminence, I just got the impression that their’s was spottier and not as consistent as Tyre’s.

I am currently trying to start a YouTube channel on Afro-Asiatic studies. Phoenicians spoke an Afro-Asiatic language, so I think it is relevant. I have a low budget, so I am willing to start at $50 for 2500 words, but I am open to increasing that if I like your work and my channel continues to grow. Let me know if you are interested.

Digital edition of this phoenician inscription from Carthage, discovered in Marseilles in 1844, which describes sacrificial regulations.

De Saulcy gives comparisons with vetero-testamentary prescriptions.

https://www.academia.edu/43270574/Inscription_Ph%C3%A9nicienne_de_Marseille

https://preview.redd.it/iwsdrlibtaud1.png?width=1003&format=png&auto=webp&s=85d9cdc977c774086cc39c359026598611c33b87

Dear All,

I am glad to inform that PhoeniciaHistoryFacts is now on Telegram and you are all heartily invited to join!
https://t.me/PhoeniciaHistory

For now the idea is to copy content from here, but of course your comments as well as posts are most welcome!

Hey guys, my name’s Nat.
I’m new here, and I just got into researching things about the Punic Wars a couple of weeks ago because I am writing a book series/making a webcomic series about this family who are loosely based on the Barcide family who were the Royal family of the Kingdom of Diamonds (originally equivalent to the Carthaginian Empire in the world of I created called Cardsdale ).

I have the Prince of Diamonds who’s name is Anibal and an Iberian girl who is named Violeta who are actually based on Hannibal Barca and his wife Himilce of Castulo.

I’ve been doing some research on this couple, and I kinda stumbled upon some archeological documentaries from Castulo, Spain, various articles examining their story. I also stumbled upon “Las fiestas de Cartaginenses y Romanos“ which actually celebrates their marriage in the port of Cartagena Spain as part of a week long reenactment of the city’s foundation story.

I would love to know if there’s any more to their official story in the ancient and/or modern Spanish and Portuguese historical record because I would love to have at least 2 sides of this story so I can portray it as accurate as I can when I get to writing my version of the story … I think it’s so unfair that Himilce was erased from history by the Romans

If not I'd love to make one and have a community for all of us