What was the most significant Phoenician colony that developed into a power that challenged Rome?

Carthage was the most significant Phoenician colony that developed into a major power and posed a significant challenge to Rome. Founded by settlers from the city of Tyre in present-day Tunisia, Carthage grew into a prosperous and powerful city-state that became a dominant force in the western Mediterranean.

Carthage established a vast trading network that extended throughout the Mediterranean and even into parts of Africa and Europe, allowing for considerable wealth accumulation. Its strategic location on the coast of North Africa made it a formidable maritime power, competing directly with Rome for dominance. The conflicts between Carthage and Rome are epitomized by the Punic Wars, a series of three wars that showcased the military might and economic power of Carthage.

Tyre, Byblos, and Sidon, while important Phoenician cities in their own right, did not reach the level of power and influence that Carthage achieved. Tyre, as Carthage's origin, was significant but lacked the expansive colonial reach and direct confrontations with Rome that Carthage had. Similarly, Byblos and Sidon were known for their trade and cultural contributions but did not evolve into military superpowers that challenged Roman authority.