A tragedy that the Roman destruction of Carthage was so complete that we still know so little of them

Paul Cooper and his team deserve to have their work broadcast on the BBC. This is yet another brilliant work, thank you!

I was born and raised in San Fernando, a small city right next to Cadiz, I remember most of my childhood seeing the construction workers tearing up the roads to make space for the new tram system the city wanted to put, and how every few months they'd have to stop completely, because they kept finding archeological remains of Carthaginian burial sites, monuments, workshops etc. for context I think the construction started in the early 2000's and due to all the findings and subsequent excavations they only finished the tram a few years ago, right before the pandemic if I recall. As a kid, it always fascinated me to know that there was so much aincent history buried right beneath the streets of my hometown, but I couldn't really get much info about the people who made their living here millenia ago since the only mentions of Carthage in school were only when they taught us a very basic overview of the Punic Wars. Thank you for putting out such a comprehensive, detailed and immersive documentary on the People that have fascinated me since childhood

It’s amazing that something this high quality is freely available on UKposts. 👏

I am Lebanese. And this is by far the most informative and educating video I have ever came across all over the internet!!!! Thank you so much for making this masterpiece!!!!!

The quality of production in these is just astounding.

I am struck dumb by not only the quality of this production, but a melancholy which I'm overcome by the inevitability of this history.

Carthage is a subject I can never learn enough about. It's only been three years since I got interested in ancient history. Someone gave me my first lap top. I've watched many, many programs about Carthage. None came close to this. It's the most comprehensive study put on video I've ever seen. It's thrilling. Thank you very much.

for the last three years I've been really sick, and on top of that, something happened recently that completely destroyed my life even more. I just want to say thank you, with all my heart, because your documentaries are practically the only thing I can enjoy nowadays. I think i've seen each of your episodes more than 30 times and they always calm me and show me how ephemeral everything is, and on the top of that I also love history so much. Thank you for what you do Paul, yours are truly the best documentaries on youtube

The format of narration in these docs is better than the golden age of history channel, and also more engaging than most movies on these subjects. I'm honored to have the ability to enjoy this.

One of the most breathtaking documentaries I’ve seen in my life.

Please give whoever did this documentary a pint and a raise. Absolutely incredible!

I love this podcast. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who likes history. Paul and the people behind him are true hero´s of knowledge mediation and history.

The visual versions of the podcast are what truly make these, the quality is astounding every time

I listen to these while I fall asleep. It's like a movie in my mind that sets the stage for the dreams I have of the past, of the history so many civilizations have had. This is by far my favorite documentary series on youtube, ever. Thank you, Paul. Your hard work and quality history retellings just fascinate me.

Paul you may not read this comment but I want to say that the production quality and effort put into your documentaries makes me feel blessed to be privy to such history. Thank you.

Carthage is one of my absolute favorite ancient civilizations. I was so excited when I listened to the audio version of this, and I'm STOKED for the video version. Thanks so much for all you do! I recommend your channel to all of my friends.

The description of the loss of the Carthaginian records is moving. The entire thing is extremely well done. Bravo!

Two years subscribed to your Patreon, and I still feel blown away by every episode, like the universe cannot possibly be so kind as to deliver us this content for free. Only I know it's not the universe, and you're out there on a laptop somewhere, drowning in books and articles, down weird rabbit holes at odd hours, wrangling the little nuances of original soundtracks, voice actors, and copyright legalities, putting in a breathtaking amount of work that most of us cannot even comprehend to create something this long, to this standard of quality. Paul, you are a gem among gems. I think it's a mark of this podcast's legacy that you have such an avid fanbase willing to load up the catapults to fling money at free content just to see it keep going. Whenever someone near me complains about the attention span of my generation or those before and after me, I just laugh a little and point them here 😊 All that to say... I'll be here for as long as you keep going. Thank you!

Outstanding, as usual. The first time i've watched instead of just listening as a podcast, and I am blown away. A+

I've been waiting for this video for ages. The Phoenicians are such an anomaly and I know no one could map their empire out like you can ❤ Lots of love

I’ve told countless people about this podcast. It’s truly one of the best I’ve ever listened to. I hope you never stop!

The loss of every book in their language is just tragic, imagine all the myths and poems and histories we lost because of it.

As a student of Phoenician history, I have to say this is your best documentary yet and the fall of Carthage really encapsulates your channel’s theme.

Only 18k until 1 million!!🎉 I can't think of another channel that works harder to provide such high-quality content for free. I love that you let the history determine the length of the video, instead of squeezing all they can into an hour video while leaving out such vital information. I want to thank the entire crew for all the work and dedication. You guys have really given so much. Because of my health, I cant go out or have anyone come by. Its super lonely having cancer sometimes 😅 All of these videos have saved me from falling too deep into darkness. It gives me hope that even at the end of everything, life still manages to continue. At the heart of all of us is a will to move forward and start again. ❤ This wasnt supposed to turn into all that 😅 Jist know that youve really made an impact on me. Thank you ❤

I did not expect this video to impact me as much as it did. I knew Carthage was destroyed, and I knew the grisly details of the sacking, but I always thought it was a direct result of the battle of Zama. A (unfortunately) not unusual case of the campaign finale war crimes. I didn’t realize it was 50 years later and after the city had recovered and been minding its own business. Something about the capriciousness of that siege makes it all the more horrific. It was just a completely preventable human tragedy where tens of thousands of people had their lives destroyed forever all because of the jealousy and spite of a bunch of people hundreds of miles away that they weren’t bothering at all. That is evil.

Patiently waiting for the next episode while rewatching the full series for the n-th time. Thank you for your amazing work! As a Bulgarian, I'd love a future episode on the Thracians.

Hey baby. I know you're probably working hard at this hour, and I know you will not want to see this but I don’t care, I need to put it out there. I’ll scream my prayer in this storm of comments and hope some favourable wind carries the words to you: please. Please come back. It’s been seven months now and I have no one else to rely on. The kids miss you. I miss you, I really do, if you even care. I’ve tried to move on, I’ve tried to find other history channels, but in the back of my mind it’s your intro which takes ahold of my thoughts, your soothing voice, your voice actors, your scripts; in short: you. Rewatching old videos doesn’t help anymore. It hurts, if anything. The memories of listening for the first time haunt me and comfort me at the same time. I remember the gasps escaping my lips when I heard the amazing voice actor in the Songhai episode, my eyes welling up with tears as I listened to the ending of the Rapa Nui, the giggles as you told Sumerian jokes. I still gasp and cry and giggle, but every sound I make is tinged with nostalgia. Your voice builds an intricate scenery made of paper, as ornate as it is delicate, and indeed, when I get closer to better explore it, to immerse myself as I did the first time I listened, everything falls apart around me, the illusion is broken just from my breathing. I know what we could’ve been, what we could be, if you’d just came back to me. I don’t care about the topic. I don’t care about the time period. I’ll watch a video without those gorgeous landscape shots if that’s what it takes for you to come back home. Please. Dinner’s getting cold, but it just doesn’t taste the same without you.

Here have some more of my money for being the best history channel on UKposts. The research, the professionalism and care for the cultures you talk about, the amazing storytelling, the amazing visuals and even your calm soothing voiceover!

Finally! As a Tunisian I'm very happy to see you cover the Empire that once ruled over our lands.

My god these episodes are brilliant! Completely entranced for hours. I found this podcast and listen via Spotify! I can't say I have found a single history book or podcast on this level and I am sure many would agree!

Used to listen to this channel/podcast during my night shifts during covid times. Really helped me through🙏🙏

No amount of appreciation is enough for the incredible work that you and your team are doing Paul...Your narration skills are so high that it feels like I'm passing through these ancient civilizations...I hope that soon you'll give us yet another masterpiece but this time featuring some middle eastern or south asian civilization

Thank you for this! My grandfather is Lebanese and always says we are “Phoenician”. Now I finally understand where I’m descended from and it’s AWESOME. Thank you again

Heading to Tunis for the 4th time on Sunday, listening to this again to inspire me on places to visit this time around. Thank you for everything you do 💙

Idk what they call an Oscar for UKposts videos, but this guy deserves one.

The combination of narration, hand-drawn maps, satellite photo reference, site photos and ancient texts is FIRE. It makes the history so easy to follow.

I'll say this once again: This podcast is by far the greatest, and the one which will do Greek civilization the best honour if he makes an episode or episodes on it

A lot of the episodes of this series make you feel sad at the end but this one was really gut-wrenching...

Every artifact, every piece of art, and every historical site is a chapter in the grand story of our collective human journey. Let's celebrate the diverse cultures that have shaped our world.

I cannot stress enough how much you deserve every ounce of success that comes your way Paul. Each piece of content you produce is simply breathtaking. I even had to chase down Salammbo to read while waiting for the documentary version of this episode. After watching the very first episode "Roman Britain - The Work of Giants Crumbled" I was hooked. All of this is without even acknowledging how great of an author you also are. Honestly this series should be on television or in stores as box sets. Thank you so much for your continued work and effort Paul, especially that we, your audience, get to enjoy this entirely for free on UKposts. I continue to hope that you receive all the recognition you deserve.

These are the greatest thing ever to watch given so freely on UKposts. I watch these episodes over and over. This man needs an award. So awesome how much goes into this. Such a production and we’re blessed to have it.

Please never stop creating these amazing podcasts and videos! I've been so spoiled by watching them that whenever I watch other history documentaries I wish they were all produced by your wonderful team.

I've never had a history story move me as much as this one, the story is so well told, the ups and downs and final ending is so dramatic it brought me to tears...

Proud to be a patron of this outstanding podcast series. It's, if I may say so, one of the best on UKposts. It's emotional, factual, high in production value - just a joy to watch and listen to.

Already watched this on Patreon, but I must watch this at every chance I get. Perfect work. As a filmmaker, you inspire me and some projects I am working on.

I've been studying and reading about Carthage for years now and I tell you, the description in that ending brought me to tears along with the Poem and I'm glad you have made the history of this City State more well known

I love this podcast so much. I never used to be that interested in history but you bring it to life like no one else! can't praise this series highly enough 🏆 🥇

I was always fascinated by Carthage, and always wanted to know more about this mysterious challenger to Rome, thank you for such a brilliant presentation!

Thank you Paul for blessing us with another outstanding documentary. You’ve changed the game when it comes to documenting ancient civilisations!

Take my money. History and Discovery channel have sold out. Thanks for keeping quality historical documentaries alive on UKposts.

Crazy to think there hasn’t been a mid episode yet in this series, every single one is exceptional! Would LOVE to see you cover the Fall of Merv - near Mary in modern Turkmenistan. Its ruins are still out there in the desert, and I’ve never heard its story told properly

I have personally watched the Sumerian episode 11 times. I truly enjoy the immersion into the fall of the first cities.

Your work literally brought me to tears. I actually shed a tear at the lament poem by the end. Wonderful work Paul, simply wonderful.

I don't often think about the Roman empire and I didn't wake up today thinking I'd end up crying for Carthage, but here we are. Great documentary!

Please be the narrator on your upcoming book for audio book. Your delivery is impeccable

The research put into these is astounding. That you make one every few months is impressive. I cite your work all the time as definitive in my conversations. Thank you for the Carthage episode I was waiting for this since I saw y'all the first time a few years back.

I literally gasped with joy seeing this dropped today. Thanks so much Paul and the team for making the greatest history podcast and videos of all time. The amount of detail and immersive experience of the people’s lives is outstanding. Also the videos are sooooooo impressive and make the experience even better.

Great summary and narrative of the history of the Phoenicians, Carthage, their rise to a formidable great power and their fall at the hands of the burgeoning Roman Empire! Rarely have I heard such a complex, comprehensive and successful story as in this film! A wonderful tribute to this period of our human history!

What an amazing episode. This is one of the best YT channels. Made me feel so deep about Hannibal and his people. Thank you for an amazing storytelling.

Whenever I watch an episode of this, I wonder about the future fall of our own Western civilization.

Thanks for shining light on the most underrated civilization in history. The obvious next choice would be Babylon to compete your Mesopotamian trilogy which are your most popular videos by far but some more underrated shouts would be Nubia or Aksum for more African content or goguryoe/joseon for Asia

watching this was such a journey. I don't even know why I was so depressed watching the fall of Carthage and I haven't even heard of them before. The rise and fall empire is so fascinating. To know the absurd demand of Rome knowing their downfall too is something else.

Your work has actually enriched my life. Thank you

Was really looking forward to this episode after listening to the audio version 2 months ago. Thank you so much Paul and team for the quality and heart you put into your work. Much love and gratitude. ❤

Another incredible episode! The tenacity of the Carthaginians was remarkable, as well as the military success of General Hanibal. Even though we already knew the ending, the fall of Carthage still brought tears to my eyes. Paul, you and your team breathe new life back into the histories of our great civilizations and you enrich the lives of all who listen to and watch your magnificent podcast.

Dear Dr Cooper: I have absolutely loved the *entire* FALL OF CIVILISATIONS series. The quality of production; thorough research; superb filming; and thoughtful, apperceptive script-writing for the narration make your work *immeasurably* better than *anything* involving cultural history out there. I feel that your whole series--or at the *very* least, the episodes on the Han Dynasty of China; Vijayanagara; the Incas; Petra; the Sumerians; the Assyrians; Byzantium; and ancient Burma and the thousand temples--should *obviously* be shown on the BBC. I of course am going to donate money again, once I have finished the episode on “Carthage: Empire of the Phoenicians.” That being said, do you *honestly* believe, Dr Cooper, that prior to the late 19th and 20th centuries Carthage had been merely “a SIDE-NOTE of history”? I ask because in my area of research, publishing, and teaching expertise, the Renaissance, Carthage was thought of as **THE GREATEST EXISTENTIAL THREAT** the Roman Republic *ever* faced. Carthage genuinely threatened Rome’s attempts to dominate the Western Mediterranean not only because of their own trading empire in Sicily, Spain, and North Africa; not only bc the Carthaginians were allies of Etruria, the group of city-states to the north of Rome that had originally dominated Rome and appointed a king to rule over it until the Romans at last overthrew their Etruscan kings; but also because in the First Punic War especially, Carthage coordinated its campaigns against Rome with the greatest Greek kingdom of Macedon, had an extremely powerful fleet, and was wealthy enough to hire skilled mercenaries of all types from around the Mediterranean basin, which confronted the Roman legions with a cosmopolitan opposing army using *many* divers tactics. Finally, the Carthaginians of the First and Second Punic Wars had genius-level military leadership emanating from the Barca clan…… This information--along with accounts of the devastating final defeat at Zama, as well as its horrific aftermath--were not “secret,” arcane knowledge among leading Renaissance or Baroque intellectuals. Indeed, the Roman poet Virgil’s AENEID--in the first four books of which Carthage and Queen Dido/Elissa figure prominently--was considered in the Renaissance to be the **greatest epic poem ever written.** Carthage was no arcane, esoteric historical “footnote,” even long after the city’s destruction. I suppose I would simply like more context for this particular introductory comment….I understand the value rhetorically of *occultatio,* but simply don’t believe any “strategic shading” of our topic of interest is needed here. Cheers, Dr. Stephen W. Whitworth

Thank you for another exquisite documentary Paul. Easily the best ancient civilization history channel.

A new Fall of Civilization episode always makes my day.

This work is some of the best content on the entire internet. Been looking forward to the Carthage episode!

Thanks! Amazing work as always. Easily my favorite series. Keep doing it!

Better than any netflix documentary. Very well done.

I recently came back from southern Italy, specifically the town of Scilla which is just across the straight of Messina from Sicily. There's a castle there which goes into detail about the wars that followed in the 16th century and onward, but only glossed on the deeper history. This magnificently told story has helped me realize the deeper historical significance behind the places I visited. Seeing the narrow straight with my own eyes, it was obvious that control of that straight would give a massive advantage to whomever could secure it. Fascinating that this control oscillated between Ancient Greece, Rome, and Carthage. Top-class documentary!!

In constant awe at the tasteful production value and pacing of these documentaries. It's so easy to cut corners on youtube, so a documentary like this takes not only an extraordinary amount of work, but discipline and passion. this documentary in particular breathes life into the few first hand accounts left of Carthage, and the crumbling remains of it's cities. yall deserve all the success you get and more. cheers

YOUR DOCUMENTARIES ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL I LEAVE FEELING LIKE I KNOW THESE PEOPLE

The siege and fall of Carthage would make an epic movie!

I've been looking forward to an episode of Carthage of this calibur for a long time. Fall of Civilizations has blessed us once again with another masterpiece. I had to stop putting this channels videos on as I go to bed because I end up staying up for hours, longer than I should, completely immersed in the story.

This was the first documentary/ podcast series i ever took tge time to watch on UKposts. Ive not found another channel to even come close to the magnificence of this one . The narration is captivating ! And the other channels can never be you and cannot hold my attention at all . Thank you for another spellbinding masterpiece ❤️ 💜 ❤.

My first public gush over this podcast was in episode II, the "Bronze Age Collage". I don't know how to explain it... I fall asleep even when watching action movies and here I am listening to an almost-four-hour episode with full concentration as if it were a UKposts short. We are all story-tellers but it's not hard to identify the person who is gifted at it beyond belief, the one who is able to connect the disconnected threads we all have heard at different points in our live, the voice who never abandons compassion even when telling the most gruesome chapters of our history. This work is not just educational, it's inspirational. Thank you.

As a Tunisian, I’m really amazed by your work, the way you described it and the visualization of the events is incredible … the king Hannibal was betrayed by the neighbors… moral of the story: BETRAYAL COMES FROM THE CLOSEST PEOPLE TO YOU … One day Hannibal and the Kingdom of Carthage will rise up again 🔥

As a historian myself your videos are remarkable. It's incredibly refreshing to have our ancient history presented without resorting to conspiracy theories or the kind of crazy nonsense that is pretty much the default position of anyone who engages with this stuff. I'm curious to know what your background is. I'm an alumni of London Uni.

Amazing, how truly emotionally impacting your work is while never failing to deliver on the main point: factual history. I feel very blessed by this experience - thanks Paul & team, very much appreciated.

Paul, I would assume you know these videos will teach for the next generations for 100 years. Make sure your channel is passed on for its eternal care. I immediately saved to re watch and share with grand kids.

I usually catch this series in podcast form, or randomly wake up to it on UKposts, but this is top quality content, it’s actually a work of art.

Having heard the audio already and now seeing the visuals is just breathtaking. I can't believe the quality of this series. Thank you Paul and team and voice actors. Your work is truly enriching. I really can't thank you enough

These documentaries are just beautiful to listen to and to watch again and again. I’ve watched many of them multiple times. I’ve been waiting for the video version of the Carthage to drop and it’s finally here! Thank you Paul!

This is a wonderfully sad and empathetic documentary that actually sheds light on the downfall of the Carthage empire and what led to its demise. I absolutely recommend this documentary in full. I know it's lengthy however, it is by far one of the best and informative docs on Rome that I've ever seen. Props and respect to the team...

This is the only thing I can find about Carthage that doesn’t only cover its wars with Rome.

Thank you, Paul, for everything you've done. Both you and your team have done an amazing job. The way you guys catch the imagination even without an illustrated version is astounding. A whole new perspective of the past with colorful image.

There is nothing quite like this to be found elsewhere. Every episode is a masterpiece. Your work stands out from all the clickbait, shallow and short attention span content out there.

This is amazing-anthropology grad here. I go to sleep listening to some lecture on history or philosophy most every night with my tablet on UKposts. Invariably, when I wake, this video (numerous times) or something the like is filling my opening ears. It is the best way to start a day. I thank everyone involved and my fellow intellectuals for bringing this to life. I would have given anything to have this, but as a child in the eighties, no such luck. Wow wow wow, thank u!

Hands down, the best history videos on UKposts. When you close your eyes and listen, you feel like you're there. Kudos sir.

The way Carthage is so often talked about you'd think they rose alongside Rome, rather than preceding them. We only ever hear about the end of the empire cos they only come up in relation to Rome as an 'also-ran', so to speak. Barely anyone ever talks about their wars with the Greeks, for instance. But this makes it clear that they'd had their own grand run as a full fledged empire, doing so much more than just losing to Rome.

Thank you Paul For bringing this treasure for common people like us The ending is so tragic Your episodes' endings always bring tears 😭💔

Just like Paul's previous works, this has affected me with profound sadness. The cruelty of human impulses to wage wars and destroy is eternal.

Seriously the best guy on you tube to chill and learn with...naturally a story teller...articulate and educated without being opinionated....I can't even say that about myself...so rare

Thanks so much Paul. I have to say the complexities of the Punic war always confuses me but your delivery made a dynamic conflict very straightforward and easily accessible without “talking down” to your audience, and that by itself is why so many people gravitate to your work

I’ve recommended this podcast/UKposts channel to all of my friends. Fantastic work. I think I’ve listened to the Byzantine episode 5 times at this point. I would love to see a video on the fall of old kingdom Egypt. Also, on top of being a fantastic history channel, you are a fantastic storyteller.

The sense of wonder the author is able to inspire mingled with a solid bibliographic investigation make this video a real gem. One of the best of his channel.

Amazing. Love your work. Nice to see you didn't attempt to down play the practice of child and human sacrifice in Canaanite religion as merely an enemy tactic to besmirch their reputation. As they say, where there is smoke, there's usually fire [pardon the pun] - dozens of references to such Canaanite practices were made by multiple contemporary cultures. It amazes me how many people today still try to dismiss such accusations.