The Carthaginians, originally a Phoenician colony, became a major power in the western Mediterranean from 814 BCE to 146 BCE. Their culture was heavily influenced by Phoenician and North African traditions. Carthaginian religion included gods like Baal and Tanit, who were central to their mythology.nnThe Carthaginians also had myths of sea monsters and creatures linked to their maritime trade routes. As fierce competitors of Rome, their eventual downfall in the Punic Wars left a deep mark on the history and mythology of the Mediterranean.