Lecture #15: Carthaginian Child Sacrifice

by Farès K. Moussa
published on 16 October 2026

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Dr. Farès K. Moussa, anthropologist, archaeologist and cultural heritage consultant, explores the long-standing controversy surrounding Carthaginian infant sacrifice, tracing how ancient texts, modern pop culture, and shifting political contexts have shaped our understanding of the Punic world.

The video examines the evolution of historical thought on the topic, highlighting how the absence of direct primary records left the narrative largely defined by external Roman, Greek, and Old Testament accounts. These accounts were later popularized in the 19th century through romanticized works like Gustave Flaubert's novel Salammbô.

Find out more about Dr. Moussas work: https://www.fareskmoussa.co.uk/

— RECOMMENDED BOOKS —
The Oxford Handbook of African Archaeology
by Peter Mitchell (ed.), Paul J. Lane (ed.)
https://www.worldhistory.org/books/019921297X

Carthage: A New History
by Eve MacDonald
https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1324123273

Carthage Must Be Destroyed: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Civilization
by Richard Miles
https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0713997931

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— ATTRIBUTIONS —
The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:

https://www.ancientlyre.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2vFEg8DmOJ5YCRm4A5v?si=emacIH9CRieFNGXRUyJ9
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1X6F7lGMEadnNETSzTv8A

World History Encyclopedia
www.worldhistory.org