Carthaginians

Civilization	Technology tree	Strategy

Carthaginians
Ruins of Byrsa, the walled citadel above the harbour in ancient Carthage.
Civilization information
Introduced in	The Rise of Rome
Architecture	Roman
Continent	North Africa
Features/Characteristics
AI personality	Offensive
Maps	Water

“	We will either find a way, or make one	”
—Hannibal

The Carthaginians are the inhabitants of the Carthaginian Empire which once controlled North Africa as well as the Southern Mediterranean at its height before the Punic Wars. The Carthaginians were essentially a colony of the Phoenicians and were the vassal of Phoenicia. They are a playable civilization in the Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome and feature Roman styled architecture. Due to their different unit varieties and military bonuses, the Carthaginians are primarily used for offense rather than defense.

During the Punic wars, Carthaginians gained fame for their ferocious naval expansion and wars against the Roman Republic, where they outclassed their Roman enemies on the water. To reflect this, their Transport Ships move faster and their Fire Galley has increased attack. Most of the Carthaginian army was composed of mercenaries and foreigners, and even from allies fighting for Carthage in accordance with bilateral treaties, such as the Numidian Kingdoms, and their Elephant troops had a reputation of being tough, ferocious and highly armored that were capable of crossing the Alps. To reflect these military achievements, their Academy and Elephant units, as well their Camel Rider, have increased hit points. Finally the Carthaginian colonies were self prepared with a fair amount of resources, which is represented with their extra resources at the start of the game.

Civilization Bonuses

• +25% transport speed
• +25% attack for Fire Galleys
• +25% Elephant and Academy units hit points
• Camel Riders +15% HP
• Start with +50 of each resource

Changelog

Original game

• Heavy Transports move 43% faster.

Definitive Edition

• Heavy Transports move 25% faster (same as Light Transport).
• Camel Riders have +15% HP.
• With update 38862, they now start the game with +50 of each resource.

AI Player Names

• Hamilcar Barca - Carthaginian general, lived c. 275-228 BC, father of Hannibal, Hasdrubal and Mago
• Himilco - Carthaginian navigator and explorer in the 5th century BC
• Hanno (𐤇‬𐤍‬𐤀) -Name of several generals, politicians and other Carthaginians, most notably Hanno the Navigator (6th-5th century BC)
• Matho - Mercenary general in the Carthaginian army, crucified after a revolt, lived ?-237 BC
• Mago (𐤌𐤂‬𐤍) - Carthaginian general, lived 243-203 BC, son of Hamilcar Barca
• Hasdrubal (𐤏𐤆𐤓‬‬𐤁‬𐤏𐤋) - Carthaginian general, lived 245-207 BC, son of Hamilcar Barca
• Hannibal (𐤇𐤍𐤁𐤏𐤋𐤟𐤁𐤓𐤒) - Carthaginian general, lived 247-183/182/181 BC, son of Hamilcar Barca
• Gisco (𐤂‬𐤓𐤎𐤊‬𐤍) - Carthaginian general c. 300-258 BC (Hannibal Gisco); Carthaginian general ?-202 BC (Hasdrubal Gisco)
• Dido - Founder and first queen of Carthage, sister of the Phoenician king Pygmalion

History

Carthage was founded by Queen Dido (Elissa in some sources) in the year 850 BC. Bearing heavy Phoenician influence, the city soon expanded by trade. It eventually expanded to encompass over 300 cities. Some sources suggest that Queen Elissa was their second ruler and that she ruled this empire for some time. According to legend and lore, she was a very benevolent ruler that was well respected by her followers.

Rivalry with Rome

The Carthaginian Empire was at odds with Rome for over eighty years. During said time frame, three wars broke out. These wars, called the Punic Wars, would eventually spell defeat for the empire. During the Second Punic War, a military general named Hannibal rose to fame due to winning several victories in Italy. However he failed to conquer Rome and was eventually beaten. By the end of the Punic Wars, the Carthaganian Empire was conquered by Rome.