Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert. Short summary

5 seconds

Because of his love for the commander’s daughter, the mercenary endures torture and goes to his death. The girl, realizing how much he loved her, also dies.

1 minute

Carthage was unable to pay the mercenaries their wages. To propitiate them, the authorities held a feast.

The daughter of the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca, Salambo, accidentally appears at the feast. The Numidian Nar Gavas and the Libyan Mato fall in love with the girl.

The mercenaries are promised wages if they leave the city and wait outside. The Carthaginians delay the promised payment and the mercenaries advance on the city.

Mato makes his way to Salambo by stealing the veil of the supreme goddess of Carthage. He declares his love for the girl and leaves.

Salambo is sent to retrieve the city’s main relic. She sneaks into the mercenary camp, Mato gives her the veil.

Gavas defects to Carthage, betraying Mato. For this, he is given Salambo as his wife.

During the wedding, Mato is given to be beaten by the crowd. Salambo sees him, feeling that he genuinely loves her.

The tortured Mato dies. Salambo dies as well.