life along the med: Road trip: Carthage

The first weekend in October, we were able to travel to the capital city to explore some of the amazing historical ruins. Some of you may not know just how nerdy I am, so if you're not into history, just enjoy the pictures.

Along the shore line you can also see an important port where ships were brought in for repairs.

Phoenician and Roman ruins in Carthage, present day city in the background.

Carthage was first founded by an Phoenician princess named Alissa or Dido, who was fleeing her homeland in Tyre after her brother killed her uncle and husband. Legend has it that when she arrived to the area the local leadership promised her all the land she could cover with a cow's hide. So Alissa and her servants wove one cow's hide together to encircle this hill called Bardo. It was an obviously desired location that she was later granted. The Phoenician city was conquered several years later by the Romans. So here you can see the original Phoenician structure and the strong, square blocks of the Romans.

Overlooking Carthage

Exploring Carthage with great friends!

Roman sized catapult - imagine that coming through your front door!

The most beautiful flowers growing out of the ancient stones. A reminder to bloom where you're planted.

Did you know that in ancient times the way to show disrespect to a place was by vandalizing statues? Nearly all of the statues found at Carthage are missing a head or at least a nose, hence they have been de-faced.

Ancient mosaics are a dime a dozen but no less stunning in these parts.

Phoenician writing on a stone tablet dating back to 3 B.C.

Off the beaten path, mosaic floor tiles.

Ruins of the city of Carthage.

tombstone bearing the symbol of the Caanite warrior goddess, Tanit or Tophet. It is believed that thousands sacrificed their children to this false god in hopes of victory in battle.

Roman coliseum in Carthage.

The Roman coliseum in Carthage has experienced a great deal of damage due to a recent earthquake, but remembering the events that took place here are equally shaking. Read the touching story of two young women who were martyred in this very place. While we were visiting these ruins, there was a group of locals gathered under the trees who were laughing, grilling out, and carrying on. It nearly made me sick to my stomach to think the place where so many gave their lives was treated with such little respect, but then I guess it's not so different from the Roman roots of coliseum "sports", is it?