Carthage in Flames

Carthage in Flames

Year: 1960

Runtime: 107 mins

Language: Italian

Director: Carmine Gallone

ActionWarRomanceDramaAdventure

Historical drama depicting the last of the Punic Wars between the Roman Republic and Carthage.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Carthage in Flames yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Carthage in Flames (1960)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Carthage in Flames (1960). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2nd century BCE

Set during the late Punic era, Carthage confronts Roman pressure and internal factionalism. The city is depicted as a place where exile, siege, and political scheming shape destinies. The timeframe is defined by battlefield confrontations and political maneuvering characteristic of classical antiquity.

Location

Carthage, Oroscopa

Carthage is the central setting, a powerful ancient city-state known for its wealth and naval power. The story moves between the walled city and the besieged outpost of Oroscopa, highlighting political intrigue and military struggle. Temples and councils anchor the drama as love, loyalty, and ambition collide.

🏛️ Ancient city 🌊 Port city

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:09

Main Characters – Carthage in Flames (1960)

Meet the key characters of Carthage in Flames (1960), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hiram (José Suárez)

A Carthaginian leader who is wounded in the defense of Oroscopa, Hiram is brave, strategic, and deeply loyal to those he loves. He navigates exile and risky missions to rescue Ophir and Fulvia, balancing personal passion with political duty. His bold moves and tactical mind drive key escapes and battlefield alliances.

⚔️ Leader ❤️ Romantic 🧭 Strategist

Fulvia (Anne Heywood)

A young Roman woman who falls for Hiram, Fulvia shows resourcefulness and courage under pressure. She becomes entangled in Carthaginian intrigue, captured by Phegor, and ultimately sacrifices her life for the man she loves. Her choices illuminate the perils of love crossing enemy lines.

❤️ Romantic 🗡️ Courage 🧭 Loyal

Ophir (Ilaria Occhini)

Daughter of Hermon, Ophir is torn between her love for Hiram and an arranged marriage to Tsour. She is passionate and steadfast, fighting to be with the man she loves while navigating political expectations. Her bond with Hiram ignites a personal and political conflict central to the story.

❤️ Romantic 🧭 Loyal 🗡️ Defiant

Tsour (Terence Hill)

A young Carthaginian destined to marry Ophir, Tsour accepts the love triangle but ultimately respects Ophir's choice. He is honorable and pragmatic, choosing not to oppose the union between Ophir and Hiram. His presence symbolizes the complexity of personal vows within political networks.

⚔️ Warrior 🧭 Respectful 🤝 Ally

Sidone (Pierre Brasseur)

A trusted ally of Hiram, Sidone helps orchestrate daring escapes and navigates the shifting loyalties of Carthaginian politics. He is shrewd and dependable, playing a key role in uniting friends to confront threats from both within and outside Carthage.

🧭 Strategist 🤝 Ally 🗝️ Connector

Astarito (Paolo Stoppa)

A close associate of Hiram, Astarito provides practical support and quick wits in tight situations. His loyalty helps secure crucial routes for escape and rescue, reinforcing the theme that friendship under pressure can alter the course of events.

🧭 Strategist 🤝 Ally 🗝️ Helper

Thala (Ivo Garrani)

Leader of the mercenaries who backs Hiram, Thala rekindles trust and fights alongside his old ally. He embodies pragmatic military support and the flexible loyalties necessary in wartime politics. His alliance with Hiram is pivotal to the defense of Carthage.

⚔️ Commander 🛡️ Protector 🗺️ Ally

Assian (Cesare Fantoni)

A political figure who participates in the factional maneuvering surrounding Carthage's fate. Assian represents the maneuvering edge of power struggles within the council and the broader game of influence that drives the plot.

🏛️ Politician 🗡️ Schemer 🧭 Influencer

Hermon (Aldo Silvani)

Head of the Carthaginian Council and Ophir's father, Hermon holds significant influence over strategic decisions. He oscillates between supporting a fight against Rome and seeking diplomatic avenues, reflecting the city's broader internal debate over its future.

🏛️ Leader 🧭 Authority 🗝️ Patriarch

Sarepta (Edith Peters)

A Carthaginian figure who observes the unfolding drama and plays a role in the social and political currents surrounding the central characters. Her presence contributes to the tapestry of intrigue and factional tension within Carthage.

👀 Observer 🧭 Insider 🗝️ Nudge

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:09

Major Themes – Carthage in Flames (1960)

Explore the central themes of Carthage in Flames (1960), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Romance Duty

Love collides with political obligation as Hiram and Ophir's bond challenges the expectations of their communities. Fulvia's pursuit of Hiram adds another layer of tension between Romans and Carthaginians. The relationships force characters to choose between affection and duty, often at great personal cost. The romance drives decisions that alter alliances and the city's fate.

🗡️ Betrayal Power

Phegor's manipulation reveals the fragility of Carthaginian politics. The council is torn as factions align with Rome, sometimes for personal gain. Hidden loyalties and stalled negotiations show how ambition can undermine collective defense. The theme underscores how betrayals shape the outcome of wars and the city's survival.

🛡️ Sacrifice Heroism

Heroes rise under siege as Hiram, Thala, and Asdrubale fight to defend Carthage and protect Ophir and Fulvia. Fulvia's ultimate sacrifice embodies the cost of love and courage in war. The battles of Birsa and the perilous escape at sea illustrate resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Sacrifice becomes a defining force shaping Carthage's fate.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:09

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Epic Downfall Dramas with Tragic Romance like Carthage in Flames

Romantic stories set against the tragic collapse of a civilization.Discover movies like Carthage in Flames that combine sweeping historical drama with a desperate romance. These stories feature grand-scale conflict, political betrayal, and the fall of civilizations, all set against a backdrop of powerful, often tragic, love that intensifies the emotional weight.

epictragicromanticdesperatesombermelancholictense

Narrative Summary

This thread follows narratives where a large-scale historical or societal collapse—such as a war or revolution—serves as the backdrop for a passionate romance. The personal love story is directly threatened by the epic events, creating a dual focus on the fate of individuals and the fate of their world, which often ends in a bittersweet or tragic resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the interplay between epic, world-altering events and intimate romantic struggles. They deliver a heavy emotional impact by making the audience care deeply about both the historical outcome and the personal relationships hanging in the balance.

High-Intensity War Dramas with Political Betrayal like Carthage in Flames

Fast-paced stories of conflict where the enemy may be within.If you liked the political intrigue and betrayal in Carthage in Flames, explore these similar war dramas. They feature fast pacing, high intensity, and complex narratives where characters must navigate not only external enemies but also dangerous deceptions from allies, leading to heavy emotional consequences.

tensedesperatesomberepictragicpoliticalbetrayal

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a central conflict—typically a war—that is escalated by internal betrayal. The story moves quickly between large-scale battle sequences and tense political councils or personal confrontations, where allegiances are tested and motivations are questioned, driving the plot toward a costly resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their depiction of war as a multifaceted threat, combining physical danger with psychological and political treachery. They create a specific, tense viewing experience where the suspense is derived from both overt conflict and hidden agendas.

Unlock the Full Story of Carthage in Flames

Don't stop at just watching — explore Carthage in Flames in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Carthage in Flames is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Carthage in Flames Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Carthage in Flames, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Carthage in Flames Summary

Carthage in Flames Timeline

Track the full timeline of Carthage in Flames with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Carthage in Flames Timeline

Carthage in Flames Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Carthage in Flames that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Carthage in Flames Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Carthage in Flames

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Carthage in Flames: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Carthage in Flames

Similar Movies to Carthage in Flames

Discover movies like Carthage in Flames that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.