Carthage: Port and Market

The port at Carthage was bustling with activity. Gulls sang about Phoenician ships, famous for their adventures and surefooted sailors. Ships with cloud-white sails slipped into harbor bearing treasure from far-off lands. The people of Carthage were known throughout the world as great merchants and renowned sailors. If one wanted to see new and exciting goods, Carthage was the place to find them. 

Mala held her father’s hand tightly, even as she strained to capture all the wonders of the port with her eyes. They had come to greet Mala’s cousin, whose ship was just in from Greece. She waved excitedly as he ran to greet them. Mala’s cousin picked her up and twirled her about the docks. She breathed in the salty air and hooted with delight. Her father embraced her cousin. Mala looked about as they gathered his satchel. Everywhere Mala could see the violet robes of Carthage. The market nearby was a tapestry of color and spicy scents.

Mala’s father took her hand once more as they hurried to the marketplace. Mala’s mother and sister were there, busy selling their cloth. Mala’s mother used murex shellfish to dye her cloth. When these shellfish die, they excrete a purple dye that produces a wonderful violet color on the white cloth her mother wove. This day the cloth was selling quickly. Mala was glad, for that meant she and her sister could soon escape to the docks and hear the stories the sailors told of exotic lands and Egyptian ladies in ornaments of bright gold. Mala knew that someday these ladies would be wearing garments made of her Mother’s violet cloth, for the Egyptians loved the colors of Carthage. Mala wondered if the little sea creature murex knew that one day he would provide the dye that her mother would use to make cloth that would be made into a robe to be worn by royalty! It occurred to Mala that the gifts of the sea were shared among many. For the sea put food on her table as well as dye on her mother’s cloth. 

The earth, too, was generous to Mala’s family. Soon her brother would begin his hard work in the stone quarries. There he would bring forth the great stones from the earth that they used to build the great walls of Carthage. Mala marveled on the great tools that were used to build such walls. The stones were carried on great carts, drawn by oxen, much like the ploughs her uncle used on his farm outside of Carthage. The earth also provided the tall cedar and fir trees that Mala saw the men bringing to the ships. These trees would be used as wood for homes and furniture all over the world! Indeed, Mala considered, the earth is good to Carthage.

I shouldn’t be so surprised, she thought to herself. After all, Carthage is a wonderful city, with so many new advances. For example, the people had built huge cisterns that looked like giant buckets. When the sky opened and the rain fell, the water was collected, just as fresh water flowed in from the hills. In this way, the people of Carthage always had fresh water to drink and needn’t go to wells far away. It is good, Mala thought, that we protect the land around us, for she is our treasure chest! Mala was proud of her large family. Together they helped Carthage find new ways to use all of the goods that the earth provided. They worked hard and built tools to help. In her young life, Mala had seen Carthage grow and flourish into the great city it now was. Mala’s mother offered a prayer of thanksgiving each night to the gods who cared for them, the earth who nourished them, and the people they loved who wisely used the treasures of nature. 

Suddenly Mala’s thoughts were interrupted by chants and the sound of people gathering. A Canaanite procession was moving through the city. The people of Canaan worshipped many gods, but this time the procession was a tribute to the Goddess Anat. Their cult masks were beautifully painted, and Mala stood still as she watched the parade with quiet reverence. Inside, though, her heart swelled with joy. Yes, she thought, life is good. We recognize the gifts of all around us, work hard, share our bounty, and are grateful.

Yshalam liku – May there be peace to you.