Name:_________________________________ Period_________ Date:_________ Score:________/25
Document #13
Directions: Use the document below to help you answer the following questions. Use Complete Sentences for
your answers. Make sure you answer ALL parts of the questions.
*Rome’s three wars with the Carthaginians ended with the destruction of Carthage in 146 B.C. Appian, who
lived in the second century A.D., wrote a vivid description of the destruction of the African city.*
The Destruction of Carthage
“After penetrating (entering) into the city Scipio (the Roman commander) turned his attention to the citadel, its
strongest point, where many people had taken refuge (shelter)…. They seized the first houses and used them as
a base for attacking the next. From their roofs they made bridges of planks and beams to cross over to the next.
While one battle was in progress on the roofs another was fought, against all comers, in the narrow streets
below.
…Fires were not set because of the men on the roofs, but when Scipio reached the citadel the three
narrow streets were set afire simultaneously (together). Men were charged to level a path through the debris
(wreckage) as the houses burned down so that the army’s movements should not be obstructed (blocked)…
This produced new scenes of horror. The men did not pull buildings down piecemeal (slowly)but
applied great force and overthrew them in a mass. Crashes grew louder, and along with stones many corpses
pitched to the ground…. The tension of battle, the expectation of quick victory, the excitement of soldiery, the
shouts of the criers and blast of the trumpets, the commands of officers- all of which created a kind of madness
and an indifference (lack of concern) to what their eyes saw.
The city which had flourished for seven hundred years from its foundation, which had held broad
dominion (power) over lands and island and seas, which had vied with the greatest empires in its wealth of arms
and ships and elephants and money, which had manifested extraordinary courage and fortitude (strength) by
resisting a formidable enemy and famine for three years after it had been deprived of all its ships and arms-this
city was now being utterly blotted out and destroyed. As Scipio looked on he is said to have wept and to openly
to have lamented (mourned) the enemy’s fate. For a long while he remained sunk in thought, reflecting that the
fortunes of all cities and peoples and empires, like those of individuals, must change.”
1. Who is the author of this document? What continent is Carthage located in?
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2. According to the document houses were seized. What does it mean to seize something? What were the
houses used for once the Romans took them?
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3. Based on the document how many years was Carthage a powerful empire? Detail two things that it had that
helped make it and keep it powerful.
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4. According to the document Scipio wept over the destruction of Carthage. Why would he cry over his
victory? Give a DETAILED answer.
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5. Appian describes what the feel of the city is during the battle. Based on his explanation, does it seem like
the soldiers realized what they were doing? Why or why not? Give a DETAILED answer.
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