Utica

(ruins at Bow-Shater ). The greatest city of ancient Africa, supposed to be older than Carthage. Like others of the very ancient Phœnician colonies in the territory of Carthage, Utica maintained a comparative independence, even during the height of the Punic power, and was rather the ally of Carthage than her subject. It stood on the shore of the northern part of the Cart hag in i an Gulf, a little west of the mouth of the Bagrades, and 27 Roman miles northwest of Carthage; but its site is now inland in consequence of the changes effected by the Bagrades in the coast-line. In the third Punic war, Utica took part with the Romans against Carthage, and was rewarded with the greatest part of the Cart hag in i an territory. It afterwards became renowned to all future time as the scene of the last stand made by the Pompeian party against Cæsar, and of the glorious, though mistaken, self-sacrifice of the younger Cato. It fell into the hands of the Vandals in 439; but its final destruction is due to the Saracens, who twice captured the town.