Model Empire, Lost City: Ancient Carthage and the Science of Politics in Revolutionary America.

In this article the author examines the influence exerted by the ancient empire of Carthage on political science in revolutionary America. Carthage, as perceived by American 18th century political thinkers, is contrasted with the Roman empire and ancient Greece and its civilization. The most problematic feature of Carthage for American revolutionaries was its commercialism, according to the article. Presented is a brief history of Carthage as it was perceived by the historians and thinkers of 18th century America.