Similarities Between Rome And Carthage

Rome and Carthage were quite similar in many ways, they both started as a colony or outpost of another city-state (Rom from Latium, possibly Alba Longa and Carthage from Phoenician Tyre) (Morey, 1901a; Morey, 1901b), both were strong powers within the Mediterranean, and both had very similar governments. Our text specifically points out the similarities in government between the two city-states. "[Carthage] had two chief magistrates (called suffetes), corresponding to the Roman consuls. It had a council of elders, called the “hundred,” which we might compare to the Roman senate. It had also an assembly something like the Roman comitia.' (Morey, 1901b). While structurally the governments may have appeared similar, they were quite different
Carthage, which to our knowledge, based on our readings, did not have significant threats from a land-based enemy was able to see its survival in greater trade and investment in a navy (a rather expensive endeavor at any point in history) to protect its trade routes. With their survival and success based on economics, they were less inclined to foster public involvement, other than labor to assist in trade. As a result, the Carthaginian government tended to be controlled by the wealthy in the pursuit of greater wealth. Because Rome's survival and success was based on literal survival from its enemies, there was a greater emphasis on a dedicated and organized citizenry. I suppose that fear and the threat of attack and destruction of their lands would have been a great motivator for the Romans to foster a sense of patriotism. It makes me wonder if Nazi war criminal, Hermann Göring had the Romans partially in mind when he stated, "the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." (Mikkelson, 2002). That the everyday Romans were personally invested in the success and survival of Rome played a significant impact in their defeat of the
(2002, Oct 4) Hermann Goering: War Games. Retrieved from https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/war-games/

Morey, W.C. (1901a) Chapter II The Beginnings of Rome from Outlines of Roman History. Retrieved from http://www.forumromanum.org/history/morey02.html

Morey, W.C. (1901b) Chapter XIV The First Punic War from Outlines of Roman History. Retrieved from http://www.forumromanum.org/history/morey14.html

Morey, W.C. (1901c) Chapter V The Reorganization of the Kingdom from Outlines of Roman History. Retrieved from http://www.forumromanum.org/history/morey05.html

Morey, W.C. (1901d) Chapter VII The Struggle for Economic Rights from Outlines of Roman History. Retrieved from http://www.forumromanum.org/history/morey07.html

PS

I do have a question if I cited the Hermann Göring quote properly? I had heard the quote before and did a search for it, found it on Snopes.com and provided a citation for that since that is what I had access to and could verify that source. I did note that the Snopes article lists its own source of "Gilbert, G.M. Nuremberg Diary. New York: Farrar, Straus and Company, 1947 (pp. 278-279)". I questioned whether or not I should cite the original source since I couldn't personally verify it or if it was acceptable to cite only the Snopes article that references it since I can at least verify that the text does, in fact, appear on their page. Also, with the Mikkelson citation, is it better to reference the original post date