In the 9th century BC, Phoenicians built Carthage, a grand city at Mediterranean trade crossroads, set to be their empire's capital. After the Third Punic War, Carthage fell to Rome. Hadrian's task: ensure year-round water supply. Today, Byrsa hill showcases intertwined Punic and Roman relics, symbolizing Carthage's enduring legacy linking two civilizations.
At the heart of desert landscapes, once stood three giants, three builders’ masterpieces, three symbols of all powerful civilizations: Carthage, Troy and Persepolis.
Their remains testify to their titanic proportions, unique designs and unprecedented constructions. But how did the Carthaginians come to create a cutting-edge hydraulic system? How did Trojans architects construct a city known to be indestructible? How did Darius I, “king of kings”, made built one of the largest palatial complexes ever? This series aims to solve the many secrets of these architectural tour-de-force.
Through experts’ insights, 3D modeling and the use of ultramodern techniques (magnetic resonance, satellite scans, photogrammetry…), Ancient Megacities scrupulously explores the sites where once stood these architectural jewels, retraces step by step their construction process and tries to decipher the remaining mysteries about their disappearance.
