Why Was Carthage Such a Threat to Rome? Interview with Dr. Bret Devereaux, Part 2
Tides of History
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Carthaginian Complexity: Roman Perspectives
This chapter examines how Romans viewed the Carthaginians through the lenses of playwright Plautus and historians like Sallust and Polybius, highlighting their morally contradictory perceptions. It analyzes the challenges of source criticism to understand the biases in historical narratives about Carthage, focusing on the limited surviving texts. Additionally, the chapter explores the political and military structures of Carthage, revealing similarities to Rome while also addressing the exclusive nature of Carthaginian citizenship and the composition of its army during the Punic Wars.
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