17. Carthage - Empire of the Phoenicians

Idk what they call an Oscar for YouTube videos, but this guy deserves one.

for the last three years I've been really sick, and on top of that, something happened recently that completely destroyed my life even more. I just want to say thank you, with all my heart, because your documentaries are practically the only thing I can enjoy nowadays. I think i've seen each of your episodes more than 30 times and they always calm me and show me how ephemeral everything is, and on the top of that I also love history so much. Thank you for what you do Paul, yours are truly the best documentaries on youtube

I was born and raised in San Fernando, a small city right next to Cadiz, I remember most of my childhood seeing the construction workers tearing up the roads to make space for the new tram system the city wanted to put, and how every few months they'd have to stop completely, because they kept finding archeological remains of Carthaginian burial sites, monuments, workshops etc. for context I think the construction started in the early 2000's and due to all the findings and subsequent excavations they only finished the tram a few years ago, right before the pandemic if I recall. As a kid, it always fascinated me to know that there was so much aincent history buried right beneath the streets of my hometown, but I couldn't really get much info about the people who made their living here millenia ago since the only mentions of Carthage in school were only when they taught us a very basic overview of the Punic Wars. Thank you for putting out such a comprehensive, detailed and immersive documentary on the People that have fascinated me since childhood

I listen to these while I fall asleep. It's like a movie in my mind that sets the stage for the dreams I have of the past, of the history so many civilizations have had. This is by far my favorite documentary series on youtube, ever. Thank you, Paul. Your hard work and quality history retellings just fascinate me.

The description of the loss of the Carthaginian records is moving. The entire thing is extremely well done. Bravo!

The format of narration in these docs is better than the golden age of history channel, and also more engaging than most movies on these subjects. I'm honored to have the ability to enjoy this.

Carthage is a subject I can never learn enough about. It's only been three years since I got interested in ancient history. Someone gave me my first lap top. I've watched many, many programs about Carthage. None came close to this. It's the most comprehensive study put on video I've ever seen. It's thrilling. Thank you very much.

It’s amazing that something this high quality is freely available on YouTube. 👏

Thank you Paul for blessing us with another outstanding documentary. You’ve changed the game when it comes to documenting ancient civilisations!

Paul Cooper and his team deserve to have their work broadcast on the BBC. This is yet another brilliant work, thank you!

I am struck dumb by not only the quality of this production, but a melancholy which I'm overcome by the inevitability of this history.

Patiently waiting for the next episode while rewatching the full series for the n-th time. Thank you for your amazing work! As a Bulgarian, I'd love a future episode on the Thracians.

I love this podcast. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who likes history. Paul and the people behind him are true hero´s of knowledge mediation and history.

I am Lebanese. And this is by far the most informative and educating video I have ever came across all over the internet!!!! Thank you so much for making this masterpiece!!!!!

On rare occasions I comment on youtube videos and I never went out of my way to donate. But what can I say, this right here makes my mind hungry for knowledge, and for that, I am forever gratefull. I have watched all videos, I even sleep on them and just dream away the entire history displayed here. This is by far the best way to learn and relax along the way! I bow to such excellence in making all this material and I hope to see so much more from you!

Two years subscribed to your Patreon, and I still feel blown away by every episode, like the universe cannot possibly be so kind as to deliver us this content for free. Only I know it's not the universe, and you're out there on a laptop somewhere, drowning in books and articles, down weird rabbit holes at odd hours, wrangling the little nuances of original soundtracks, voice actors, and copyright legalities, putting in a breathtaking amount of work that most of us cannot even comprehend to create something this long, to this standard of quality. Paul, you are a gem among gems. I think it's a mark of this podcast's legacy that you have such an avid fanbase willing to load up the catapults to fling money at free content just to see it keep going. Whenever someone near me complains about the attention span of my generation or those before and after me, I just laugh a little and point them here 😊 All that to say... I'll be here for as long as you keep going. Thank you!

The visual versions of the podcast are what truly make these, the quality is astounding every time

One of the most breathtaking documentaries I’ve seen in my life.

Outstanding, as usual. The first time i've watched instead of just listening as a podcast, and I am blown away. A+

The siege and fall of Carthage would make an epic movie!