Remembering Carthage
Minerva|November/December 2019
Dalu Jones traces the history of the great Phoenician city, the home of Hamilcar and Hannibal, condemned by Cato, conquered by Scipio Africanus, commemorated in Dido’s heart-rending lament and currently celebrated in an exhibition at the Colosseum in Rome
Dalu Jones
Remembering Carthage
The first film ever shown at the White House in Washington was an epic silent movie produced and directed by Giovanni Pastrone (1882–1959). The year was 1914 and the title of the film was Cabiria, visione storica del terzo secolo AC (Cabiria, a 3rd-century BC vision of history). A technical masterpiece, it was the precursor of future epic movies by directors, such as those by DW Griffith (1875–1948) and Fritz Lang (1890–1976) who tried to emulate it. Lasting for more than three hours, the film was shot in North Africa and Italy, where crucial battles of the 1st Punic War (264–241 BC) and 2nd Punic War (218–201 BC) were fought between the Carthaginian and Roman armies (these wars were the historical inspiration for the film). The word ‘Punic’ comes from the Latin Punicus (meaning ‘Phoenician’) to indicate the Carthaginian dominion.

The film’s narrative was written by the celebrated Italian poet, journalist and playwright Gabriele D’Annunzio (1863–1938) and its music was specially composed by two distinguished musicians Ildebrando Pizzetti (1880–1968) and Manlio Mazza (1888–1937).

The script for Cabiria was loosely based on Salammbo, a historical novel by Gustave Flaubert (18211880) published in 1862, and set in 3rd century BC Carthage before and during the mercenary revolt (240–238 BC) that took place in the city after the first Punic war was lost to Rome.

This story is from the November/December 2019 edition of Minerva.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November/December 2019 edition of Minerva.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MINERVAView All
ROMAN DISCOVERIES AT ANCIENT AUGUSTODUNUM
Minerva

ROMAN DISCOVERIES AT ANCIENT AUGUSTODUNUM

More than 230 graves have been uncovered at a necropolis in the French city of Autun, revealing a diverse mix in burial practices over a period of nearly 200 years, as well as luxury grave goods from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD that highlight the wealth of some of its ancient inhabitants.

time-read
2 mins  |
January/February 2021
SHAPING THE WORLD: SCULPTURE FROM PREHISTORY TO NOW
Minerva

SHAPING THE WORLD: SCULPTURE FROM PREHISTORY TO NOW

The sculptor Antony Gormley and the art historian and critic Martin Gayford have been talking about sculpture with each other for 20 years.

time-read
3 mins  |
January/February 2021
Amelia Edwards (1831-1892)
Minerva

Amelia Edwards (1831-1892)

“I am essentially a worker, and a hard worker, and this I have been since my early girlhood.”

time-read
2 mins  |
January/February 2021
THE GREAT BEYOND
Minerva

THE GREAT BEYOND

The ancient Greeks thought much about the dead – how their remains should be disposed of, how their spirits might be summoned, how malignant they could be if unavenged. Classicist David Stuttard brings us face to face with the Greek dead.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January/February 2021
INTO THE VALLEY OF THE QUEENS
Minerva

INTO THE VALLEY OF THE QUEENS

The Great Royal Wife of Ramesses II, Nefertari, was buried in one of the most spectacular tombs of Egypt’s Valley of the Queens. Well-educated and well-travelled, Nefertari played a crucial part in the political life of the pharaoh, and her importance was reflected through her magnificently decorated tomb. Lucia Marchini speaks to Jennifer Casler Price to find out more.

time-read
10 mins  |
January/February 2021
DEIR EL-BAHRI, 1894
Minerva

DEIR EL-BAHRI, 1894

Tensions were already high among the archaeologists, surveyors, and artists of the Archaeological Survey of Egypt in 1891 when an eventful dispute arose on Christmas Eve.

time-read
2 mins  |
January/February 2021
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
Minerva

PUSHING BOUNDARIES

When the Etruscans expanded to the south and the vast plains of Campania, they found a land of cultural connections and confrontations, as luxurious grave goods found across the region reveal. An exhibition at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples sheds light on these ancient Italians at the frontier. Paolo Giulierini, director of the museum, is our guide.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January/February 2021
CUZCO 'CENTRE AND HEAD OF ALL THE LAND'
Minerva

CUZCO 'CENTRE AND HEAD OF ALL THE LAND'

Cuzco was the heart of the vast Inca empire, but all changed in the 16th century when the capital was conquered by Spanish invaders. Michael J Schreffler investigates the Inca city, and how it went from the centre of one empire to the periphery of another.

time-read
9 mins  |
January/February 2021
A STUDY IN PURPLE
Minerva

A STUDY IN PURPLE

A tiny speck of purple paint from the 2nd century AD may yield clues to how ancient artists created the extraordinary portrait panels that accompanied mummified bodies into the afterlife.

time-read
3 mins  |
January/February 2021
Rome In The 8th Century: A History In Art
Minerva

Rome In The 8th Century: A History In Art

John Osborne CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, £75 HARDBACK - ISBN 978-1108834582

time-read
3 mins  |
November/December 2020