Utica

Utica, ancient city, N Africa

Utica (y`tĭkə), ancient N African city, c.25 mi (40 km) NW of Carthage. According to tradition, it was founded by Phoenicians from Tyre c.1100 B.C. Second in importance to Carthage, Utica usually allied itself with that city, but in the Third Punic War it sided with Rome against Carthage. Upon the destruction of Carthage (146 B.C.), Utica was made the capital of the Roman province of Africa. It fell (A.D. 439) to the Vandals, was recaptured (534) by the Byzantines, and was finally destroyed (c.700) by the Arabs. Excavations at the site have yielded two Punic cemeteries and Roman ruins, including baths and a villa with mosaics.

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Utica, city, United States

Utica, city (1990 pop. 68,637), seat of Oneida co., central N.Y., on the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal, in a large dairy region; inc. 1862. It is a port of entry, and its manufactures include textiles, electronic equipment, machinery, tools, and metal products. Settled in 1773 on the site of old Fort Schuyler (1758), it was destroyed (1776) in a Native American and Tory attack and resettled after the Revolution. Its location on the Erie and other canals and on the railroads stimulated its industrial development. Utica has an extensive park system, with winter and summer sports facilities. It is the seat of Utica College (a branch of Syracuse Univ.), the State Univ. of New York College of Technology, and a state psychiatric center.

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Utica

Ancient Phoenician settlement, North Africa. Considered the oldest Phoenician settlement in North Africa (founded c. 8th century BC), it was located in what is now Tunisia, north of Tunis. It grew rapidly and was second in importance only to Carthage. Made the capital of the Roman province of Africa after the Third Punic War (149–146 BC), it later declined after the emperor Augustus rebuilt Carthage. Excavations have uncovered Phoenician graves dating from the 8th century BC and a substantial residential section of the Roman city.