A Tale of Two Cities: Carthage and Corinth

Abstract

In 146 BCE, the Romans effected the destruction of two significant cities: Carthage and Corinth. This paper will examine the parallels between these two cases through the paradigm of the comparative study of mass-violence, particularly genocide. In this regard, Carthage's destruction has been discussed with respect to whether the events could be described as genocide, with one scholar even referring to it as the 'first genocide' (Kiernan 2004). Corinth's destruction, in contrast, has not generally attracted such consideration. It will be argued that there are some similarities between Corinth and Carthage with respect to those ideological factors identified by Kiernan as driving the destruction of Carthage (Kiernan 2004). It will further be argued that the destruction of both Corinth and Carthage should be seen as acts of 'conspicuous destruction' (Van Wees 2010, 253, 257) - symbolic violence designed to have a deterrent effect on others (Kallet-Marx 1996, 87-88). The two events can be distinguished in that there is evidence suggesting that the destruction of Carthage was a Roman aim from the commencement of hostilities (e.g., Cato's injunction: Carthago delenda est: Plutarch, Cato 27). Corinth's destruction, however, appears to be a response directed more immediately towards Corinth's recent participation in a war against Rome. It is thus more analogous to other acts of conspicuous, retributive violence by the Romans. While the application of the concept of genocide is not unproblematic, both cases warrant consideration as analogous to other instances of mass-violence aimed at destroying distinctive groupings of people.