van Dommelen & Bellard/Rural Landscapes, 2. Rereading Punic Agriculture

The chapter discusses the texts and later writings that created the basis for the modern and ancient perceptions of Carthaginian agriculture and agronomy as prosperous and excellent. Moreover, a connection between these ideas and an ‘imperialist’ interpretation of Carthaginian colonialism is suggested. Thus, the chapter will scrutinise the available evidence in methodological terms and consider how it may be explored alternatively.