UTICA, an ancient city of Africa, near the promontory of Apollo, at the west side of the Bay of Carthage, from which city it was 27 miles to the N.W. It is said to have been founded by a Tyrian colony, a few years after the foundation of Gades, and 287 before that of Carthage. With a good harbour, and in a fertile district, it rapidly rose in prosperity; and in the course of time threw off its allegiance to Tyre, and became an ally or dependant of Carthage. In the first two Punic wars, Utica adhered to the cause of her ally, but in the third deserted the losing side and submitted to Rome. It was in consequence made the capital of the Roman province of Africa after the destruction of Carthage, and became the most important city in this region. It was at Utica that Cato the younger, thence surnamed Uticencis, killed himself. Utica fell into the hands of the Vandals in 439; but its final destruction is due to the Saracens, who twice captured the town.