<P> Evidently Carthage also had an institution of elders who advised the Suffets, similar to a Greek gerusia or the Roman Senate . We do not have a Punic name for this body . At times its members would travel with an army general on campaign . Members also formed permanent committees . The institution had several hundred members drawn from the wealthiest class who held office for life . Vacancies were probably filled by recruitment from among the elite, i.e., by co-option . From among its members were selected the 104 Judges mentioned above . Later the 104 would come to evaluate not only army generals but other office holders as well . Aristotle regarded the 104 as most important; he compared it to the ephorate of Sparta with regard to control over security . In Hannibal's time, such a Judge held office for life . At some stage there also came to be independent self - perpetuating boards of five who filled vacancies and supervised (non-military) government administration . </P> <P> Popular assemblies also existed at Carthage . When deadlocked the Suffets and the quasi-senatorial institution of elders might request the assembly to vote; also, assembly votes were requested in very crucial matters in order to achieve political consensus and popular coherence . The assembly members had no legal wealth or birth qualification . How its members were selected is unknown, e.g., whether by festival group or urban ward or another method . </P> <P> The Greeks were favourably impressed by the constitution of Carthage; Aristotle had a separate study of it made which unfortunately is lost . In his Politica he states: "The government of Carthage is oligarchical, but they successfully escape the evils of oligarchy by enriching one portion of the people after another by sending them to their colonies ." "(T) heir policy is to send some (poorer citizens) to their dependent towns, where they grow rich ." Yet Aristotle continues, "(I) f any misfortune occurred, and the bulk of the subjects revolted, there would be no way of restoring peace by legal means ." Aristotle remarked also: </P> <P> "Many of the Carthaginian institutions are excellent . The superiority of their constitution is proved by the fact that the common people remain loyal to the constitution; the Carthaginians have never had any rebellion worth speaking of, and have never been under the rule of a tyrant ." </P>

Where was carthage located and why did it compete with rome