Celtic Long Sword: Artifact from the genocide of Carthage

"The Celtic mercenaries in Carthaginian armies fought using there own equipment and the famous Celtic long sword was their most prized weapon. Roughly 36 inches long and made of an early form of steel, it was one of the finest sword types every produced. Used by wealthy chieftains and nobles, it was uncommon in the ranks where spears were the main weapons. In combat the double-edged Celtic sword would be used as a slashing weapon, a task to which it was ideally suited."

-http://phoenicia.org/carthagearmor.html

This weapon was used by the Carthaginians during the Punic Wars against the Roman Empire.  The result of these wars was the complete destruction of Carthage 146 BCE ending the third and final Punic War.  Therefore this weapon was unable to help the people of Carthage defend their city. 

Here is a created picture of some of the Carthaginian soldiers who would have carried a Celtic long sword.  These soldiers are mercenaries raised to fight for the Carthaginians.  The name for these troops was the Celtiberian Scutari.  They were particularly useful against calvary and heavy infantry.

What I found so interesting about this was the use of mercenaries in these wars.  I had never thought about the idea that they would be used by the Carthaginians during these conflicts.  However, from the looks of it they were very important in these armies.  Although Carthage did lose in the end these mercenaries were a big part of the war.