<P> It was believed in ancient times that Africa was originally populated by Gaetulians and Libyans, both nomadic peoples . According to the Roman historian Sallust, the demigod Hercules died in Spain and his polyglot eastern army was left to settle the land, with some migrating to Africa . Persians went to the West and intermarried with the Gaetulians and became the Numidians . The Medes settled and were known as Mauri, later Moors . </P> <P> The Numidians and Moors belonged to the race from which the Berbers are descended . The translated meaning of Numidian is Nomad and indeed the people were semi-nomadic until the reign of Masinissa of the Massyli tribe . </P> <P> At the beginning of recorded history, Tunisia was inhabited by Berber tribes . Its coast was settled by Phoenicians starting as early as the 12th century BC (Bizerte, Utica). The city of Carthage was founded in the 9th century BC by Phoenicians . Legend says that Dido from Tyre, now in modern - day Lebanon, founded the city in 814 BC, as retold by the Greek writer Timaeus of Tauromenium . The settlers of Carthage brought their culture and religion from the Phoenicians . </P> <P> After the series of wars with Greek city - states of Sicily in the 5th century BC, Carthage rose to power and eventually became the dominant civilization in the Western Mediterranean . The people of Carthage worshipped a pantheon of Middle Eastern gods including Baal and Tanit . Tanit's symbol, a simple female figure with extended arms and long dress, is a popular icon found in ancient sites . The founders of Carthage also established a Tophet, which was altered in Roman times . </P>

An ancient city state on north african coast in present day tunisia