Introduction
During the 3rd century B.C., two powers arose in the Western Mediterranean, Rome and Carthage, whose epic struggle for dominance of the region would reshape the ancient world (Morey, 1901). Rome would emerge the victor and subsequently, numerous modern governments owe Rome for the basis of their laws and organization of their systems (Noonan, n.d.). However, if Carthage had emerged the victor and our world governments had looked to Carthage for inspiration, would they be structured differently than they are today? In my learning journal entry for this unit I will briefly discuss how the governments of Carthage and Rome were structured, how they were similar and how they differed.
Discussion
Rome and Carthage, though they were bitter enemies and rivals, their political structures were remarkably parallel (Morey, 1901). Upon further review this was not unusual for the region circa 3rd century B.C. as there was a general trend in numerous states away from the monarchal system and towards that of a representative republic (Nepos & Mulligan, 2015).
However, both cities maintained a monarchal system for part of their governmental structure (Morey, 1901). …show more content…
The Roman senate was the consultative division of government composed of ex-consuls and magistrates who served for life (Gil, 2014; Gil, 2015). Though they were officially an advisory body, they wielded vast power via their jurisdiction over the government’s finances and by the fact that all laws voted on by the other representative body, the Assembly, were first debated and considered in the senate (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015; McManus, 2015). The Carthaginian equivalent were the Adirim or Council of Elders whose delegated powers and responsibilities were similar to the Roman senate as they advised the Suffetes in all matters (Khalaf, 2016; Morey,
During the 3rd century B.C., two powers arose in the Western Mediterranean, Rome and Carthage, whose epic struggle for dominance of the region would reshape the ancient world (Morey, 1901). Rome would emerge the victor and subsequently, numerous modern governments owe Rome for the basis of their laws and organization of their systems (Noonan, n.d.). However, if Carthage had emerged the victor and our world governments had looked to Carthage for inspiration, would they be structured differently than they are today? In my learning journal entry for this unit I will briefly discuss how the governments of Carthage and Rome were structured, how they were similar and how they differed.
Discussion
Rome and Carthage, though they were bitter enemies and rivals, their political structures were remarkably parallel (Morey, 1901). Upon further review this was not unusual for the region circa 3rd century B.C. as there was a general trend in numerous states away from the monarchal system and towards that of a representative republic (Nepos & Mulligan, 2015).
However, both cities maintained a monarchal system for part of their governmental structure (Morey, 1901). …show more content…
The Roman senate was the consultative division of government composed of ex-consuls and magistrates who served for life (Gil, 2014; Gil, 2015). Though they were officially an advisory body, they wielded vast power via their jurisdiction over the government’s finances and by the fact that all laws voted on by the other representative body, the Assembly, were first debated and considered in the senate (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015; McManus, 2015). The Carthaginian equivalent were the Adirim or Council of Elders whose delegated powers and responsibilities were similar to the Roman senate as they advised the Suffetes in all matters (Khalaf, 2016; Morey,