How do we know what ancient Carthage looked like?

by Beccorban

I know that the Roman republic effectively wiped Carthage from history and that very little remains for us to study. So how is it that artists have drawn images like this?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y1p4fpX9F3Q/UPivyMrYIlI/AAAAAAAAN9Y/SiIiHdBtCN4/s1600/carthage.jpg

Is it all speculation or based on accounts? If so what accounts/sources should I read?

Celebreth

We've got multiple ways, actually! While the city and most of the populace was wiped out, there's still a HUGE amount of archaeological remnants that we can study - those remnants give us an idea as to what the homes looked like and the layout of the ancient city. Punic architecture seems to have adapted a blend of cultures - as shown in this picture here. However, one of my absolute favourite things to show people when they ask about Carthage is a satellite picture of that exact image you posted - just a couple of millenia later. Here's the harbour today - it's rather distinct :)

Finally, we do have a rather wonderful - even if it's probably exaggerated - description of the city by Appian, which is available here. Hope that helps, and if you'd like to learn more about them, Dexter Hoyos' The Carthaginians is a godsend!