History Daily — "The Official End of The Third Punic War"

Host: Lindsey Graham
Date: February 5, 2026

Overview

This episode of History Daily, narrated by Lindsey Graham, transports listeners through the dramatic fall of Carthage in 146 BCE during the Third Punic War and concludes with the surprising, symbolic peace treaty finally signed in 1985. The narrative explores the relentless Roman campaign, the suffering and resilience of Carthage, and the modern-day reconciliation between ancient adversaries, Rome and Carthage.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Fall of Carthage (146 BCE)

• Opening Scene ([00:39]):
  • Roman General Scipio Aemilianus leads elite soldiers through embattled Carthaginian streets. Civilians, desperate and defiant, hurl household objects at the invading Romans.

    “Scipio raises his shield above his head as bowls and plates shatter on the ground around him.” — Lindsey Graham [00:50]

  • Scipio orders a brutal, uncompromising assault. The fighting is fierce, with the city consumed by violence.
• Aftermath and Consequences:
  • By the end, Carthage is annihilated: tens of thousands killed; survivors enslaved.
  • Yet, without a formal surrender, the Third Punic War technically remained unresolved for centuries.

2. Background: The Punic Wars and Cato’s Obsession

• Tensions Between Rome and Carthage ([04:27]):

  • Host recalls the rivalry’s roots: Rome and Carthage vied for Mediterranean dominance, fighting three wars.
  • The First Punic War (Sicily) ended with Roman victory and Carthaginian humiliation.
  • The Second Punic War featured the legendary Carthaginian general Hannibal, who nearly toppled Rome before being defeated and forced to surrender.

• Cato the Elder’s Campaign for War:

  • Decades after Hannibal’s defeat, Carthage rebounds economically.
  • Roman Senator Marcus Cato becomes obsessed with Carthage’s destruction:

    “Carthago delenda est — Carthage must be destroyed.” — Lindsey Graham channeling Cato [05:24]

  • Cato dramatically uses a fresh fig from Carthage as a prop, arguing the enemy thrives and is too close for comfort.

• Rome Provokes War:

  • In 149 BCE, a land dispute gives Rome the pretext to attack. The Carthaginians’ desperate attempts at diplomacy fail:

    “Banno realizes that the negotiations have been a sham. There was never any chance of peace.” — Lindsey Graham [07:02]

  • Rome demands the evacuation and destruction of Carthage; Carthaginians refuse, fortifying their city.

3. The Siege and Scipio’s Strategy

• Stalemate and Desperation ([08:00]):

  • Roman generals repeatedly fail to breach Carthage’s formidable walls; Roman army stalls.
  • The Carthaginians, led by Hasdrubal, mount a remarkable defense — repurposing buildings into weapons factories, mobilizing every citizen.

• Rise of Scipio Aemilianus:

  • Scipio, noted for his military prowess, is promoted and orchestrates a plan to cut off Carthage’s last supply line by sea, building a massive mole (sea wall).

    “He tells them that they are to build a mole... to effectively cut off their enemy from its one remaining supply line.” — Lindsey Graham [09:56]

  • Starvation and attrition take their toll on Carthage.

• Final Breach and Tragedy ([11:25]):

  • Spring 146 BCE: Romans storm the weakened city after a brutal six-day battle.
  • General Hasdrubal surrenders, but his wife, scorning his perceived cowardice, kills their children and perishes in flames.

    “She slits the throats of her children and walks into the flames.” — Lindsey Graham [12:40]

  • Scipio is victorious but weeps at the ruins, fearing Rome could one day suffer a similar fate.

    “He replies that he fears that one day Rome will suffer a similar fate.” — Lindsey Graham [13:03]

4. Aftermath and Unofficial Peace

• Carthage Destroyed but Rebuilt:
  • Carthage is razed, its population killed or enslaved.
  • Later rebuilt by Julius Caesar, it becomes a Roman regional center.
  • Yet Rome never officially signs a peace treaty, leaving the Third Punic War unresolved for centuries.

5. The Official End: 1985 Peace Treaty

• Symbolic Closure ([14:05]):
  • February 5, 1985: Near the ruins of ancient Carthage, Rome’s Mayor Ugo Vetere and Carthage’s Mayor Shedly Kliby sign a peace treaty.
  • The moment is lightened by a mishap: a glass of water spills on Vetere’s seat, prompting Kliby to graciously offer his own.

    “He immediately stands and offers his own dry seat to the mayor of Rome.” — Lindsey Graham [15:05]

  • The treaty is a gesture of friendship and reconciliation, with both mayors emphasizing peace and wisdom:

    “Rome and Carthage, like the modern superpowers, should call for peace and reconciliation instead of destructive wars.” — Mayor Vetere paraphrased by Lindsey Graham [15:24] “The treaty is a lesson in humility and wisdom.” — Mayor Kliby paraphrased by Lindsey Graham [15:40]

  • After 2,000 years, the war is formally over.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Siege:

  “The battle for the control of the city has lasted six days. So far it's been a brutal fight. Scipio has ordered his men to leave no one alive and the Carthaginians are putting up fierce resistance.” — Lindsey Graham [00:57]

• On Cato’s Obsession:

  “Carthago delenda est — Carthage must be destroyed.” — Lindsey Graham as Cato [05:24] (Describing Cato’s fig demonstration) “This fruit has come from Carthage. It was plucked from a tree in the city just three days ago.” — Lindsey Graham [05:15]

• On Hasdrubal’s Wife’s Defiance:

  “She refuses to follow her husband and surrender. Instead, she sets the temple on fire. Then as the blaze consumes the building around her, she slits the throats of her children and walks into the flames.” — Lindsey Graham [12:30]

• On Scipio’s Reflections:

  “Scipio begins to weep. When he's asked why, he replies that he fears that one day Rome will suffer a similar fate.” — Lindsey Graham [13:03]

• On 1985’s Peace Treaty:

  “As the ink dries, the men shake hands once again and applause rings out. Finally, after more than 2,000 years, the Third Punic War is over officially.” — Lindsey Graham [16:03]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening narrative: invasion of Carthage — [00:39–02:40]
• Background: Cato and Roman–Carthaginian rivalry — [04:27–06:03]
• Lead-up and outbreak of the Third Punic War — [06:04–08:20]
• The siege and Scipio Aemilianus’ strategy — [08:21–11:24]
• Fall of Carthage and aftermath — [11:25–13:20]
• Modern peace treaty in 1985 — [14:05–16:03]

Final Thoughts

This episode vividly resurrects one of antiquity’s most dramatic wars—its causes, its brutality, its tragic consequences—and bookends it with a uniquely modern act of symbolic closure. The signature narrative style immerses listeners in both the ancient and modern worlds, drawing upon dramatic moments, personal motivations, and gestures of reconciliation.

History Daily reminds us: history is lived daily, and sometimes its longest chapters end not in bloodshed but in mutual recognition and peace.