"Salambó" by Gustave Flaubert is a historical novel published in 1862. Set in third-century BC Carthage during the Mercenary War following Carthage's defeat by Rome, the story follows Salammbô, a priestess and fictional daughter of General Hamilcar Barca. When unpaid mercenaries revolt against the city, their leader Matho becomes obsessed with Salammbô and steals Carthage's sacred veil—the zaimph—believed to protect the city. Flaubert meticulously reconstructs Carthaginian culture through detailed descriptions of battles, customs, and daily life, blending historical figures with romantic fiction. (This is an automatically generated summary.)