Utica, an ancient Phoenician city. It was situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa in what is now Tunisia. In importance it was second only to Carthage, about 20 miles (32 km) south. Utica was founded before 800 B.C. It sided with Rome against Carthage in the Third Punic War, and became a provincial capital in the Roman Empire after the fall of Carthage in 146 B.C. Cato killed himself in Utica after his defeat by Caesar in 46 B.C. The city was captured by the Vandals in 439 A.D. and by the Byzantines in 534. It was destroyed by the Arabs in 698 and was never rebuilt. Excavations in the 19th century uncovered fortifications, an acropolis, an amphitheater, baths, and other structures.