Description
Carthage's generals, chosen from the ranks of the nobility, were elected to campaign against Carthage’s enemies. A tribunal of elders, the Hundred and Four, held both civic and military judicial responsibility, and could appoint and punish Carthage’s generals as required. Punishment could take many forms, including penance or even crucifixion. Himilco, for example, abandoned his troops at the siege of Syracuse in 397BC. He visited every temple in Carthage dressed as a slave, and then starved himself to death as penance for his crime. Hasdrubal begged for mercy when Rome sacked Carthage in 146BC but his wife, unable to bear the shame, threw herself and their sons into the fire. By way of contrast, Hamilcar and Hannibal, his son, had success and were repeatedly appointed to command during the First and Second Punic Wars. Hannibal reformed the Hundred and Four into an elected body and, even following his voluntary exile to appease Rome in 195BC, continued to be feared by Rome until his death. The Carthaginians were also a little wary of his ambitions for power too.
