Carthaginians

Civilization	Technology tree	Strategy

Template:Infobox CivilizationWe 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 expansion and features Roman styled architecture. Due to their different unit varieties and military bonuses, the Carthaginians are primarily used for offense rather than defense.

Civilization Bonuses

• +30% transport speed
• +25% attack for Fire galleys
• +25% Elephant and Academy units hit points

History

Carthage was founded by Queen Dido in the year 850 BC. Bearing heavy Phoenician influence, the city soon expanded by trade. It eventually expanded to encompass over 300 cities. The next great queen, Queen Elissa 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, but not the city itself. Even today, Carthage is still present as a suburb of the city of Tunis. During the Second Punic War, a military general named Hannibal rose to fame. By the end of the Punic Wars, the Carthaganian Empire was over and Rome took over.

Hannibal and His Elephants

Hannibal is often credited as being one the of the great military minds of the time. He invaded Italy by crossing the Pyrenees and the Alps with 38,000 infantry, 8,000 cavalry, and 37 war elephants. During his time in Italy, he only suffered one true defeat, a failure to take the City of Capua in a siege in 211 BC. No one expected Hannibal to succeed in his mission across the mountains, as no one thought a sizable force could truly be moved in such a way.

The Roman military knew that an outright attack against his military force would result in their destruction, so they used a policy of harassment and small skirmishes, fighting a mental battle by tiring and demoralizing Hannibal's troops. Despite numerous requests for aid from Carthage, only untrained and unmotivated troops were sent to reinforce those well trained soldiers being lost. Eventually, Hannibal was recalled to Carthage for its defense. He suffered defeat in the Battle of Zama in North Africa and soon after left the position of General behind him. Although he had some major victorys, these were not enough to save Carthage. By the end of the Punic Wars, Carthage was sacked and its glory destroyed.

Template:AoE Civ