Quote Originally Posted by HamilcarBarca
Some points in reply;

1) Carthage only had a monopoly on its sources of mercenaries so long as it had a monopoly on access to those places. So, for instance, Carthage was the only power able to recruit Iberian and Numidian mercs so long as no other power could project power into those geographic regions. The moment Rome arrived in Spain and North Africa, Iberian and Numidian troops were recruited into their armies. So - let other factions access merc pools in North Africa and Spain ONCE THET GET THERE. That's realism.
2) Mercs can gain in experience. And they can be replenished by being amalgamated with other/new mercs of the same type. That's good enough. I don't think that a company of mercs on campaign should be able to be rienforced except by adding new mercenary recruits to their ranks. How can a group of Numidian auxiliaries be retrained in Carthage? Which citizens of Carthage can join a Numidian force to bring it up to strength? None.
3) URNAMMA - you said Sardinians soon? Please, tell me more. Punic Sardinia is something of an historical specialty of mine.

H.
In regards to point 1, think about it for a moment. The Libyans, and Liby-Phoenicians, among others, were equipped en masse from Carthaginian stores, paid for by carthaginian estate system, etc. Without Carthage as a distinct and dominant political entity, those mercenary classes dried up. The Romans et al will still have access to Iberian and Numidian mercenaries, and even a unit of libyans, but the carthaginian mercenaries were and are unique to carthage.

Our 'population' includes non-citizens such as women, libyans, liby-phoenicians, Greeks, etc in regards to carthage.

In regards to 3, they're Nuraghi. A robe, spear, and shield, along with a leather skullcap. You may seen the unit soon (hint hint).