The Carthaginian Shophet

[Calypze]

In EB, the faction leader of the Carthaginians is the Shophet. However, I've read that Carthage had annual elections about who would become the Shophet. Have I got the wrong information, or is this simply something the EB maker had to make this way, or something else?

I've made some similar threads about other non-monarchist factions, but to me, it removes a lot of fun if you don't really "know" how the faction is built up, so please bear with this.

[Strategos Alexandros]

AFAIK the Karthadastim senate did hold an election every 4(I think) years but this can't really be represented with the RTW engine.

[Emperor Burakuku]

AFAIK there were two of them elected by the Council in Carthago (Romans called it Senate). Also the Romans, Greeks and others called them "kings", but they were more like supreme judges (the word comes from old hebrew and means "judge"). They had executive and administrative power, but the main difference between them and the roman consuls is that the Suffets had no military duties. And that's where my knowledge ands, but perhaps someone from the EB team can give you more details. Cheers!

[Eduorius]

Yeah. Is basically that. They didnt had military duties and also their time in power could change from 1 to even 6 years.

If you want to play with some house rules you shouldnt make him get out of Carthage to command armies.

[konny]

I've made some similar threads about other non-monarchist factions, but to me, it removes a lot of fun if you don't really "know" how the faction is built up, so please bear with this.

I think, the informations on how the Karthage state was organized are much limited compared to what we know about the Romans.

There was a Senate (h'drm) of 300 members. This was controlled by an inner circle of 30 members who were elected annual. Most important was the "supreme court" of the 104, what had the right to judge on generals after a campaign, for example. It grew even more important throughout the Punic Wars.

Allready mentioned were the two supreme judges (sptm). They also were the chiefs of the administration, the treasury, the foreign policy etc. They had also the right to call in the Senate and the peoples assembly ('m).

Even more difficult is the organization of the Karthagian Empire: There were conquests, subjugated territories, colonies, allied towns etc. Some had a constitution similar to Karthago, others were governered much different according to their local traditions.

Generals were elected by the peoples assembly (or the army?). Sometimes they had administratve duties in their region of operation as well, but not always. Military command in general was not linked to an office comparable to a Roman provincial governor (a Proconusl, Praetor or the like). Generals were always members of the nobilty and some families seemed to have a tradtion in military service like the Barkides.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

I agree it's sad that we know so few about the Carthaginians. There are almost no books and nothing on TV except romanocentric views on the battles of Hannibal.

How do I have to pronounce h'drm, sptm and 'm? And gldmtk (sp), the Numidian nobles?

Deutschen-Frage: Heißt es eigentlich karthaginisch oder karthagisch?

[konny]

I agree it's sad that we know so few about the Carthaginians. There are almost no books and nothing on TV except romanocentric views on the battles of Hannibal.

In German the standard are, I think, the books of Werner Huß. I would also like to advertise the works of Pedro Barceló with a special focus on the Punic Wars. I attended one of his Seminars at the University of Potsdam on that topic about a decade ago; and he is also present in an estimated 90% of all German TV docus on Hannibal.

How do I have to pronounce h'drm, sptm and 'm? And gldmtk (sp), the Numidian nobles?

Because the vovells are missing, basically as you like it. For example, I know the the sptm as "Sufets" not "Shophets"

Deutschen-Frage: Heißt es eigentlich karthaginisch oder karthagisch?

karthagisch

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Yes you are right I remember Barceló from TV, he has Glupschaugen, hehehe... ojos saltones and I don't have any idea what that word could be in English.

Thanks for the explanations.

[konny]

Yes you are right I remember Barceló from TV, he has Glupschaugen, hehehe... ojos saltones and I don't have any idea what that word could be in English.

"googly eyes"

Says Leo