Imprisoned legendary King losing old city, victim of the Punic Wars (8)

I believe the answer is:

carthage

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'punic wars' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for carthage that I've seen before include "Phoenician city state near modern Tunis" , "Ancient N. African city" , "Ancient Tunisian city" , "It fought the Punic wars against ancient Rome" , "Chart age of Dido's ancient city" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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