The Balearic Islands in the Punic Wars

Prelude

Carthage was founded in 814 BC by Phoenician settlers from the city of Tyre, on top of a hill later known as the Byrsa, located on a promontory with sea inlets to the north and the south. The city's name, Qart Ḥadašt (Phoenician: 𐤒𐤓𐤕𐤟𐤇𐤃𐤔𐤕, qrt-ḥdšt) translates to “new city,” implying it was a “new Tyre.”

During the Neo-Assyrian Empire's expansion in the 9th to 7th centuries BCE, Phoenician city-states such as Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos were subjugated as vassals. While these cities retained a degree of autonomy, they were compelled to pay heavy tributes and support Assyrian military campaigns. The Assyrian kings, including Tiglath-Pileser III and Sennacherib, frequently intervened in Phoenician affairs, especially when rebellions occurred. For instance, under Esarhaddon, Tyre faced a siege due to its resistance and alliances with Egypt. Despite these challenges, the Phoenician cities managed to preserve their commercial activities, although their political independence was significantly curtailed under Assyrian dominance. This contributed to the beginning of the integration of the Phoenician colonies into the sphere of influence of the most powerful Phoenician colony that remained independent—Carthage.

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