It's obviously a metaphor for something, but I'm not entirely sure.

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"Well this is new....and scary" - Serena on a Convent Scarab

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That's a Pyrrhic victory.                                                              

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Pyrrhic victory tends to refer to winning the battle, but the victory costed you more than it was worth.

Carthiginian victory then would seem to be winning a battle, but not the war. It could be a Pyrrhic victory, but it could also not be. For example, Hannibal's victories in Italy during the 2nd Punic War were great victories - certainly more than Pyrrhic victories. But despite his great victories, the Romans still went on to beat the Carthiginians, climaxing at the Battle of Zama which ended the 2nd Punic War.

So I'd guess a Carthiginian victory would refer to being able to win battles, but not the campaign.  Sort of like winning the majority of the battles, but not being able to win the strategic ones which matter. I suppose it's not mutually exclusive from a Pyrrhic victory, but it's not necessarily the same thing either.

Post edited at 1:08 am on Dec. 29, 2007 by Bud2400