Founded in the 9th century B.C. on the Gulf of Tunis, Carthage developed, from the 6th century, into a great trading empire covering much of the Mediterranean and was home to a brilliant civilization. In the course of long Punic wars, Carthage occupied territories belonging to Rome, which finally destroyed its rival in 146 B.C. A second - Roman - Carthage was then established on the ruins of the first.