of the
independent Greek cities on that island.

*Carthage.* The fourth world power was Carthage, a city state situated on
the northern coast of Africa, opposite the western end of the island of
Sicily, which had created for itself an empire that controlled the western
half of the Mediterranean. Carthage was founded as a colony of the
Phoenician city of Tyre about 814 B. C. In the sixth century, with the
passing of the cities of Phoenicia under the domination, first of Babylon,
and later of the Persian Empire, their colonies in the western
Mediterranean severed political ties with their mother land and had
henceforth to maintain themselves by their own efforts.

*The Carthaginian Empire.* Their weakness was the opportunity of Carthage,
which, in the sixth and following centuries, brought under her control the
other Phoenician settlements, in addition to founding new colonies of her
own. She also extended her sway over the native Libyan population in the
vicinity of Carthage. These Libyans were henceforth tributary and under
the obligation of rendering military service to the Carthaginians: similar
obligations rested upon the dependent Phoenician allies. In the third
century the Carthaginian empire included the northern coast of Africa from
the Gulf of Syrtis westwards beyond the Straits of Gibraltar, the southern
and eastern coasts of Spain as far north as Cape Nao, Corsica, Sardinia,
and Sicily, with the exception of Messana in the extreme northeast and the
Kingdom of Syracuse in the southeastern part of the island. The smaller
islands of the western Mediterranean were likewise under Carthaginian
control.

*The government of Carthage.* At this time the government of Carthage
itself was republican in form and strongly aristocratic in tone. There was
a primary Assembly for all Carthaginian citizens who could satisfy certain
age and property requirements. This body annually elected the two chief
magistrates or suffetes, and likewise the generals. For the former
qualifications of wealth and merit were prescribed. There was also a
Senate, and a Council, whose organization and powers are uncertain. The
Council, the smaller body, prepared the matters to be discussed in the
Senate, which was consulted by the Suffetes on all matters and usually
gave the final decision, although the Assembly was supposed to be
consulted in case the Senate and Suffetes disagreed. The Suffetes
exercised judicial, financial and religious function