CARTHAGINIAN CIVILISATION PROFILE

UNIT DESCRIPTIONS

INFANTRY

  • Generic Name: Libyan Spearman
  • Specific Name: Səḫīr Ḥanīt
  • Class: Spearman.
  • History: Although the Liby-Phoenician soldiers were not themselves citizens of the city of Carthage, they were levied to the armies of Carthage from those Phoenician colonies of modern-day Tunisia and Libya that had been taken over by the Carthaginians upon the demise of the mother cities in the Levant. Those town and cities were not permitted to hold standing armies of their own, having instead to rely upon Carthage for leadership and defense.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Melee Infantry, anti-Cavalry (3x).

  • Special: Phalanx formation.

  • Generic Name: Gallic Mercenary Swordsman

  • Specific Name: Səḫīr Ḥerev
  • Class: Swordsman.
  • History: Celts served as mercenaries in Carthaginian armies from the earliest times.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Heavy melee infantry.

  • Special: Trained at the Celtic Embassy.

  • Generic Name: Samnine Swordsman

  • Specific Name: Səḫīr Romaḥ
  • Class: Swordsman.
  • History: .
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Heavy melee infantry.

  • Special: Trained at the Italiote Embassy.

  • Generic Name: Iberian Mercenary Skirmisher

  • Specific Name: Səḫīr Kidōn
  • Class: Javelinist.
  • History: Though initially mercenaries hired by the Carthaginians, once the Carthaginian expansion was made into large areas of the Iberian Peninsula, these soldiers became levies imposed by the Carthaginian generals on their "allies".
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Short-ranged Infantry. Fast Moving.

  • Special: Trained at the Iberian Embassy. Mercenary.

  • Generic Name: Mauritanian Archer

  • Specific Name: Qešet
  • Class: Archer.
  • History: The Mauritanians are said to have supplied good archers to the armies of Carthage. Probably kin of the Berbers. The Romans similarly hired and appreciated Mauritanian archery skills.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Long-ranged Infantry.

  • Special: -.

  • Generic Name: Balearic Slinger

  • Specific Name: Qallāʿ Ibušimi
  • Class: Slinger.
  • History: The Balearic Slinger regiments were a levy from the islands that had been under control of Carthage from the 6th century BCE, supplying 2,000 men. They fired ceramic shot capable of punching through enemy shield and armour and dropping soldiers dead in their tracks. They carried 3 different slings of different lengths which were used to obtain range to target. Much of their skill was due to intense training since childhood.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Long-ranged Infantry.
  • Special: Trained at the Iberian Embassy. Mercenary.

CAVALRY

  • Generic Name: Iberian Heavy Cavalry
  • Specific Name: Ḥayyāl Kidōn Raḫūv
  • Class: Cavalry Swordsman.
  • History: Though initially mercenaries hired by the Carthaginians, once the Carthaginian expansion was made into large areas of the Iberian Peninsula, these soldiers became levies imposed by the Carthaginian generals on their "allies".
  • Garrison: 2.
  • Function: Good vs. Siege Weapons, Ranged, and Support Units.

  • Special: Trained at the Iberian Embassy. Mercenary.

  • Generic Name: Gallic Mercenary Cavalry

  • Specific Name: Ḥayyāl Ḥerev Raḫūv
  • Class: Cavalry Swordsman.
  • History: Like a sword, a horse was a sign of nobility and as a result the Gallic cavalry was often better equipped than the infantry. Armor and helmets were common, while weapons consisted of a large bladed spear and a long slashing sword for close combat. Shields could be round, hexagonal, or oval, but the most common was a regular oval body shield with the top and bottom shorn off. Unlike other horseman, the Celts were not afraid to leap off their mount to fight on foot then climb into the saddle again when possible.
  • Garrison: 2.
  • Function: Good vs. Siege Weapons, Ranged, and Support Units.

  • Special: Trained at the Celtic Embassy. Mercenary.

  • Generic Name: Italic Cavalry

  • Specific Name: Ḥayyāl Romaḥ Raḫūv
  • Class: Cavalry Spearman.
  • History: The Italian allies of Carthage included the various Samnite tribes of the interior hill-country and Italiote Greek colonies along the Southern coast. They provided a much-needed and high-quality cavalry contingent for Hannibal's army.
  • Garrison: 2.
  • Function: Good vs. Cavalry (1.5x), Ranged, and Support Units.

  • Special: Trained at the Italiote Embassy. Mercenary.

  • Generic Name: Numidian Cavalry

  • Specific Name: Ḥayyāl Raḫūv Masili
  • Class: Cavalry Javelinist.
  • History: Numidian Cavalry were known to be the fastest, most agile, in the ancient world; the riders rode without bridle or reins, steering their mount with knee pressure and body signals alone. They were the only cavalry that the Romans were unable to adequately deal with.
  • Garrison: 2.
  • Function: Good hunter and raider.
  • Special: -.

SUPPORT UNITS

  • Generic Name: Carthaginian Woman
  • Specific Name: Aštāh
  • History: Unlike many ancient cities, Carthage was found by a woman; Queen Dido, hailing originally from Tyre. Carthaginian women were famous for their beauty and were capable of extremely hard physical work. The records written about the Third Punic War mentioned that all citizens of Carthage, including the women, worked incessantly to manufacture weapons and prepare the city for siege. The women even cut their own hair for use in the springs of artillery pieces.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Quick food gatherer. Slow miner.

  • Special: Inspiration Aura (+10% citizen-soldier productivity - Range of 10m).

  • Generic Name: Priestess

  • Specific Name: Kehinit
  • Class: Healer.
  • History: Tanit (also spelled TINITH, TINNIT, or TINT), chief goddess of Carthage, equivalent of Astarte. Although she seems to have had some connection with the heavens, she was also a mother goddess, and fertility symbols often accompany representations of her. She was probably the consort of Baal Hammon (or Amon), the chief god of Carthage, and was often given the attribute "face of Baal." Although Tanit did not appear at Carthage before the 5th century BC, she soon eclipsed the more established cult of Baal Hammon and, in the Carthaginian area at least, was frequently listed before him on the monuments. In the worship of Tanit and Baal Hammon, children, probably firstborn, were sacrificed. Ample evidence of the practice has been found west of Carthage in the precinct of Tanit, where a tofet (a sanctuary for the sacrifice of children) was discovered. Tanit was also worshipped on Malta, Sardinia, and in Spain. There is no other reason for giving the Carthaginians a priestess instead of a priest in 0 A.D., although Tanit was the most popular of their two main gods with the people.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Heals organic units.

  • Special: -.

  • Generic Name: Merchant

  • Specific Name: Mekir
  • Class: Trader.
  • History: While not as important as trade by sea, the Carthaginians did value the land trade.
  • Garrison: 2.
  • Function: Sets up trade routes between friendly markets.
  • Special: -.
  • Generic Name: Fishing Boat
  • Specific Name: Noon-Mašōt (NOON mah-SHOAT)
  • Class: Fishing Ship.
  • History: Fishing for the Carthaginians was much the same as it was for the Phoenicians from whom they were descended. Being primarily a sea power, fishing was one of Carthage’s primary means of food supply. The main fishing boat used was a medium sized (about 20 feet) row and sail boat.
  • Garrison: Cannot.
  • Garrison Capacity: 1; support, infantry
  • Function: Only method of collecting meat from fish.

  • Special: -.

  • Generic Name: Merchantman

  • Specific Name: Seḥer
  • History: The entire purpose of the Phoenicians/Carthaginians was to conduct trade and commerce principally upon the sea (though not limited to that as far as Carthage was concerned).
  • Garrison: Cannot.
  • Garrison Capacity: 15
  • Function: Sets up trade routes between friendly Ports.

  • Special: -.

  • Generic Name: Bireme

  • Specific Name: Du-Mašōt (doo mah-SHOAT)
  • History: The Phoenicians/Carthaginians were the first to develop 'bireme technology' by taking the pentakonter and 'cutting it in half' then stacking two rows of oarsmen tiered atop the other, producing a ship half the length that was more maneouvreable and faster in the water. The ram section at the bow was built to look like a sea monster swimming through the water in order to terrorise superstitious potential competitors. They were also fed tall tales of such denizens in a propaganda effort to mislead and frighten off others who might consider following them into unknown waters.
  • Garrison: Cannot.
  • Garrison Capacity: 20
  • Function: Light ranged war ship.

  • Special: Garrison units for transport and to increase firepower.

  • Generic Name: Trireme

  • Specific Name: Tlat-Mašōt (tlat mah-SHOAT)
  • Class: Trireme.
  • History: Triremes (and later Quinqueremes) were a longtime mainstay of the Phoenician/Carthaginian fleet that was the largest maintained on the Mediterranean Sea, also ranging out into the Atlantic as protection for its Merchantmen. The Athenian Greeks were the only ones to build a faster ship of this type.
  • Garrison: Cannot.
  • Garrison Capacity: 30
  • Function: Medium ranged war ship.

  • Special: Garrison units for transport and to increase firepower.

  • Generic Name: Quinquereme

  • Specific Name: Ḥameš-Mašōt (ha-MESH mah-SHOAT)
  • Class: Quinquereme.
  • History: The Carthaginians were long in the forefront of ship technology, maintaining the largest fleet in the Mediterranean for centuries. Their Quinquereme was also the best on the water and essentially unchallengeable until the Romans built a Quinquereme largely from Carthaginian design (having 'captured' a grounded ship of its type) then later developed the corvus boarding ramp for it.
  • Garrison: Cannot.
  • Garrison Capacity: 50
  • Function: Heavy ranged/siege war ship.
  • Special: Garrison units for transport and to increase firepower.

SIEGE

  • Generic Name: Carthaginian Ballista
  • Specific Name: None
  • Class: Catapult.
  • History: The Carthaginians are known for having had many siege weapons.
  • Garrison: 3.
  • Function: Anti-building siege.

  • Special: Unpacked state can't move, packed state can't attack.

  • Generic Name: Carthaginian Scorpion

  • Specific Name: None
  • Class: Bolt shooter.
  • History: The Carthaginians are known for having had many siege weapons.
  • Garrison: 3.
  • Function: Anti-unit siege. Not great vs buildings.
  • Special: Unpacked state can't move, packed state can't attack.

CHAMPION UNITS

  • Generic Name: Sacred Band of Ba'al.
  • Specific Name: Sacred Band Infantry
  • Class: Champion Infantry Spearman.
  • History: The Sacred Band represented a group of Carthaginian Citizens that had volunteered for military service. The Hellenes spoke well of this battalion for its service during the Sicilian Wars in the 4th Century BC, and offered praise for their valor, courage, discipline, and the excellence of their arms and armor. The Sacred Band gained its name for its religious devotion. These men fought as hoplites in all confirmed historical occurrences of this unit.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Melee Infantry, anti-Cavalry (3x).

  • Special: Phalanx formation. Trained at the Temple.

  • Generic Name: Sacred Band of Astarte

  • Specific Name: Sacred Band Cavalry
  • Class: Champion Cavalry Spearman.
  • History: The Sacred Band of Astarte was an elite cavalry regiment recruited from amongst the upper class of the city.
  • Garrison: 1.
  • Function: Good vs. Cavalry (1.5x), Ranged, and Support Units.

  • Special: Trained at the Temple.

  • Generic Name: War Elephant

  • Specific Name: Pil Malḥamit (peel mal-ha-MEET?)
  • Class: Champion Elephant.
  • History: By far the most famous of Carthaginian weapons was the small, ugly, and now extinct, North African forest elephants. Going into battle without a war tower carrying only a driver, Carthaginian war elephants were used as terror weapons: horses could not stand their smell, inexperienced troops were frightened, and the havoc they could cause was immense. Yet by the time of the Second Punic War elephants were at the end of their time. Armies had learned the weaknesses of the giant beasts, specifically how to hamstring and confuse them. More often than not a war elephant could be just as dangerous to its own side as the enemy.
  • Garrison: 3.
  • Function: Heavy anti-structure unit.
  • Special: -

HEROES

  • Generic Name: Hannibal Barca
  • Specific Name: Ḥannibaʿal Baraq
  • Class: Hero Elephant.
  • History: Carthage's most famous son. Hannibal Barca was the eldest son of Hamilcar Barca and proved an even greater commander than his father. Lived 247-182 BC. While he ultimately lost the Second Punic War, his victories at Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae, and the feat of crossing the Alps have secured his position as among the best tacticians and strategists in history.
  • Garrison: 3.
  • Function: Heavy anti-structure unit. Soldier and siege enhancement.

  • Special: Tactician Aura (+20% attack and +1 capture for nearby allied soldiers and siege engines - Range of 60m).

  • Generic Name: Hamilcar Barca

  • Specific Name: Ḥimelqart Baraq
  • Class: Hero Cavalry Swordsman.
  • History: Father of Hannibal and virtual military dictator of Carthage. Hamilcar Barca was a soldier and politician who excelled along his entire career. Lived 275-228 BC. While overshadowed by his sons, Hamilcar was great general in his own right, earning the nickname Baraq or Barca for the lightning speed of his advance.
  • Garrison: 2.
  • Function: Good vs. Siege Weapons, Ranged, and Support Units. Unit speed enhancement and enemy Mercenary suppression.

  • Special: Lightning General Aura (+15% speed for nearby allied soldiers and siege engines - Range of 60m). Subduer of Mercenaries Aura (-20% attack for enemy mercenaries - Range of 60m).

  • Generic Name: Maharbal

  • Specific Name: same
  • Class: Hero Cavalry Spearman.
  • History: Maharbal was Hannibal Barca's "brash young cavalry commander" during the 2nd Punic War. He is credited with turning the wing of the legions at Cannae resulting in defeat in which 30,000 of 50,000 Romans were lost, as well as significant contributions to the winning of many other battles during the 2nd Punic War. He is known for having said, after the battle of Cannae, "Hannibal, you know how to win the victory; just not what to do with it."
  • Garrison: 2.
  • Function: Good vs. Cavalry (1.5x), Ranged, and Support Units. Cavalry Enhancement.
  • Special: Cavalry Commander Aura (+30% attack for allied melee cavalry - Range of 60m).

NEW UNIT TRAITS

  • None yet.

CIV CENTRE UNITS

  • Melee Infantry: Libyan Spearman.
  • Ranged Infantry: Mauritanian.
  • Cavalry: Numidian Cavalry.

FORBIDDEN CLASSES

  • Cavalry Archer.
  • Battering Ram.

STRUCTURE DESCRIPTIONS

VILLAGE

  • Generic Name: House
  • Specific Name: Bet
  • Class: House.

  • History: Housing was generally built of ‘adobe’ or sandstone then plastered with stucco. Flat roofs predominate, few windows, arched doorways in evidence, kind of a blend of Achaemenian and Mediterranean styles with some tiled roofs. In the biggest cities, especially Carthage and such as Utica, housing was in flat-roofed structures rising as high as 6 and 7 stories (two-storied would be sufficient).

  • Generic Name: Estate

  • Specific Name: Aḥuzāh (ah-hoo-ZAH)
  • Class: Farmstead.

  • History: Although there must have been many small farms as well, when the Carthaginians expanded into the hinterland, most farms and orchard establishments were created by the wealthy segment of society that became known as the landowners, and the resulting estates were mostly worked by ‘almost enslaved’ Liby-Phoenicians, Numidians, and whomever they could get.

  • Generic Name: Field

  • Specific Name: Šadd
  • Class: Field.

  • History: Carthage was famed, and rightly so, for its advanced agricultural techniques. After the Punic Wars, Rome copied those techniques for its own farms.

  • Generic Name: Corral

  • Specific Name: Rēfet (REH-fet)
  • Class: Corral.

  • History: The Carthaginians well understood the value of cavalry, with Iberia and North Africa both being good horse country. Elephants were likewise highly prized animals.

  • Generic Name: Storehouse

  • Specific Name: Maḥṣabah
  • Class: Storehouse.

  • History: Nothing really special here.

  • Generic Name: Carthaginian Outpost.

  • Specific Name: .
  • Class: Outpost.

  • History: .

  • Generic Name: Palisade.

  • Specific Name: .
  • Class: Palisade.
  • History: A cheap, quick defensive structure constructed with sharpened tree trunks.

TOWN

  • Generic Name: Civic Centre
  • Specific Name: Merkāz (mare-CAUSE)
  • Class: Civic Centre.

  • History: Carthage!

  • Generic Name: Commercial Port

  • Specific Name: Namel (naw-MEL)
  • Class: Dock.

  • History: The outer port of Carthage was used to moor and off-load its considerable merchant marine. The Commercial Port constructs Fishing Boats and Merchant Ships, while the Naval Shipyard constructs and services warships.

  • Generic Name: Temple

  • Specific Name: Maqdaš (mock-DOSH?)
  • Class: Temple.

  • History: TBD.

  • Generic Name: Barracks

  • Specific Name: Maḥanēt (maw-haw-NET)
  • Class: Barracks.

  • History: The Carthaginians usually housed their soldiers in either great integrated military complexes built into the walls (like in Carthage itself) or in fortified structures not dissimilar from castles. These ranged from garrison armories to citadels large enough to maintain elephants corrals. The Carthaginian barracks will only train citizen-soldiers, while the Embassy will train all mercenary soldiers.

  • Generic Name: Blacksmith

  • Specific Name: .
  • Class: Blacksmith.

  • History: -.

  • Generic Name: Market

  • Specific Name: Šūq (shouk)
  • Class: Market.

  • History: Trade centres were probably just big sheds or structures surrounding a ‘market’ area or in a wharf area of a port, but it is felt that the Achaemenian concept below will serve the purpose of the game admirably.

  • Generic Name: Defense Tower

  • Specific Name: Mijdil
  • Class: Defense Tower.

  • History: Possibly used as outposts.

  • Generic Name: Carthaginian City Wall

  • Specific Name: Jdar
  • Class: Wall.
  • History: The Carthaginians built what are referred to as “triple walls” to fortify some of their cities; as triple walls aren’t a practical construct for 0 A.D, the construction of the inner wall is to be used. This wall served not only as a defensive structure but had barracks and stables integrated right into it, and raised towers at intervals. Fodder for elephants and horses, and arms were stored onsite. The ground level consisted of housing for elephants, the second level for horses, and the third level as barracks for the troops. In Carthage alone, 200 elephants, a thousand horses and 15,000~30,000 troops could be housed within the city walls. As shown in the reference drawing, there was also a ditch at the base in front of the wall. These walls were typically built of large blocks of sandstone hewn from deposits nearby, and were never breached by invaders.

  • Special:

    • Footprint: Taller and thicker than any other walls in the game.

  • Generic Name: Wall Tower.

  • Specific Name: Mijdil-šaʿar (MIJ-dil SHAW-arr)
  • Class: Gate.
  • History: The tower sections constituted a 4th level where they rose up to provide even higher firing level platform than that of the top of the wall run.
  • Special:
    • Footprint: Taller and larger than any wall tower in the game.

CITY

  • Generic Name: Blockhouse Fort
  • Specific Name: Ḥamet (ha-MET?)
  • Class: Fortress.
  • History: The Carthaginians built a number of rather ‘monolithic’ blockhouse forts sited at critical locations in North Africa, sometimes also in conjunction with long lengths of wall intended to keep the wilder people of the desert to the south from freely ranging into the ‘civilised’ territories under their direct control.

SPECIAL STRUCTURES

  • Generic Name: Naval Shipyard
  • Specific Name: Cothon
  • Class: SB1.
  • History: Carthage was famous for it's magnificent double harbor, the outer harbor being a port for its merchant marine, the inner harbor being a mooring for its naval fleet. At the center of the inner harbor was a gigantic round structure that could dock dozens of warships, as well as acted as the grand admiral's headquarters.
  • Requirements: Dock.
  • Phase: Town.
  • Garrison Capacity: 5 Warships

  • Special: Constructs all Carthaginian warships and auto-repairs garrisoned ones. Limit of 5.

  • Generic Name: Celtic Embassy

  • Specific Name: Embassy
  • Class: SB2.
  • History: The majority of Carthaginian troops were mercenaries hired from subjugated and allied lands, including Gallic Celts.
  • Requirements: None.
  • Phase: Town.

  • Special: Trains Celtic mercenary units. Limit of two Embassies of any kind.

  • Generic Name: Iberian Embassy

  • Specific Name: Embassy
  • Class: SB3.
  • History: The majority of Carthaginian troops were mercenaries hired from subjugated and allied lands, including Iberians.
  • Requirements: None.
  • Phase: Town.

  • Special: Trains Iberian mercenary units. Limit of two Embassies of any kind.

  • Generic Name: Italiote Embassy

  • Specific Name: Embassy
  • Class: SB4.
  • History: The majority of Carthaginian troops were mercenaries hired from subjugated and allied lands, including Italians.
  • Requirements: None.
  • Phase: Town.
  • Special: Trains Italiote mercenary units. Limit of two Embassies of any kind.

WONDER

  • Generic Name: Temple Of Ba'al Hamon.
  • Specific Name: Wonder.
  • Class: Wonder.
  • History: .
  • Requirements: Temple.
  • Phase: City.
  • Special: Symbol Of Greatness Aura (+10 population per wonder owned). Glorious Expansion Aura (+40 additional population per wonder owned - Requires the "Glorious Expansion" Tech). Blessing Of the Gods Aura (Heals organic units at 3 HP per second - Range of 60m).

NEW STRUCTURE TRAITS

See Wall and Wall Gate.

FORBIDDEN STRUCTURES

  • None.

CIV BONUSES

  • CB1
  • Name: Triple Walls
  • History: Carthaginians built triple city walls.
  • Effect: Walls, gates, and wall towers have 3x the health but also 2x cost and build time.

TEAM BONUS

  • TB1
  • Name: Trademasters
  • History: The Phoenicians and Carthaginians were broadly known as the greatest trading civilization of the ancient and classical world.
  • Effect: +10% trade profit ‘international’ routes for allies.

SPECIAL TECHNOLOGIES

  • ST1
  • Name: Exploration.
  • History: Nobody knew better than the Carthaginians where in the ancient world they were going and going to go; their merchant traders had ‘missions’ to everywhere.

  • Effect: All ships and Merchants +25% LOS.

  • ST2

  • Name: Colonization.
  • History: Carthaginians established many trading centres as colonies and ultimately held dominion over 300 cities and towns in North Africa alone.
  • Effect: Civic Centres, Temples and Houses construct 25% faster.