We and our Enemy. The self-perception of the Romans through their imagination of the Carthaginians
We and our Enemy. The self-perception of the Romans through their imagination of the Carthaginians

Summary/Abstract: The author examines how the Romans self-perceived themselves in the context of their enmity with the Carthaginians. The subjects discussed are: similarities in body politics, exoticism of “Punicness”, shift in significance of maritime trade, treatment of allies and stereotype of “Punic perfidy”. The author concludes that in the course of history the image of the Punic enemy fulfilled two purposes: first, was that of an antithesis of the Romans as an alien but worthy opponent, whose vanquishing explained the latter’s domination over the world, and second, as a reference point for emerging imperial self-perception.

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