Carthage's wealth rested on a fertile North African agricultural base and a far-reaching maritime trade network. Grain, olive oil, and wine sustained local populations and regional exchange, while seaborne commerce carried high-value goods across the Mediterranean. From Punic clay amphorae and glass bead jewelry to Tyrian purple textiles, silver from Hispania, and African ivory, Carthage thrived as a hub connecting distant regions.

This system brought it into direct conflict with Rome during the First Punic War, as both powers competed for control of Sicily's grain supply, strategic sea routes, and the resources of the western Mediterranean. Rome's victory secured Sicily and marked the decline of Carthage's maritime dominance.

In response, Carthage expanded into Iberia to rebuild its wealth through silver and manpower, setting the stage for renewed conflict. The Second Punic War was defined by the campaign of Hannibal Barca into Italy, yet Rome ultimately prevailed. By the Third Punic War, Rome destroyed its rival, enslaved its population, and absorbed its territories into the Roman system.