The Barcid Empire? An Economic, Social, and Political Study of Imperial Interactions between Carthaginians and Locals in Southern Iberia

Kurz, Joseph James

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Year:: 2016
Contributor:: Kurz, Joseph James (creator); Bodel, John (Director); van Dommelen, Peter (Reader); Oliver, Graham (Reader); Jimenez, Alicia (Reader); Brown University. History (sponsor)
Genre:: theses
Subject:: Carthage; Barcid Empire; Barcids; Hannibal; Iberia; Ancient Spain; empire; postcolonial studies; Punic wars; Roman history; Archaeology; Numismatics; Imperialism; Polybius; Livy
Extent:: x, 334 p.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7301/Z0XW4H78

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Abstract:: This is a study of the empire that the Carthaginians established in southern Iberia under the Barcid family from 237 to 206 BCE. Because literary sources are scarce, this empire has never received extended study. Using new archaeological and numismatic data, this work poses a series of historical questions aimed at exploring empire as interaction, emphasizing the relations between Carthaginians and the local people they sought to control in Iberia. The first chapter considers Polybius’ representation of Carthaginian relations with Iberians and deconstructs Polybius’ critique of Carthaginian abuses, which appear to be driven by Polybius’ own political and topical agendas. The second chapter considers the economic impact that the empire entailed for Carthaginians as well as for locals in Iberia. Many Carthaginians profited from new trade stimulated by soldiers and colonists abroad, which were funded by mining operations and extractions from locals. While many locals in Iberia suffered under Carthaginian exploitation, some allies appear to have taken advantage of new bodies of consumers to exchange their products to feed Carthaginian soldiers and laborers. The third chapter examines coinage to consider how Carthaginian minting authorities utilized imagery of Melqart-Herakles to legitimate conquest and stimulate interaction with local worshippers. It also examines local reactions to Carthage through civic minting, which reflects local strategies of shaping claims to civic autonomy and power. The final chapter considers the strategies and resources Carthaginians employed to coerce local inhabitants in relation with the potential for cooperation and negotiation with locals facilitated by shared cultural practices. This concluding chapter argues that previous interactions with Carthage and especially indigenous interactions with local communities with Punic cultural backgrounds fostered common ground among Carthaginians and locals, enabling negotiation and the legitimation of unequal power dynamics.
Notes:: Thesis (Ph.D. -- Brown University (2016)

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Rights: In Copyright
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Citation

Kurz, Joseph James, "The Barcid Empire? An Economic, Social, and Political Study of Imperial Interactions between Carthaginians and Locals in Southern Iberia" (2016). History Theses and Dissertations. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://doi.org/10.7301/Z0XW4H78

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History Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations for the History department.
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