List of monarchs of Carthage facts for kids
Ancient Carthage was a very old and important city in North Africa. For a long time, it was led by rulers called monarchs, who were like kings. These monarchs held the main power in Carthage. Their special title was most likely Suffete.
Most of these early rulers came from a powerful family known as the Magonids. Later, another important family, the Hannonids, also provided rulers.
Contents
Early Rulers of Carthage
For many years, Carthage was led by a single powerful person. This person was in charge of the government.
The Hannonid Family (First Period)
- Hanno I (around 580 – 556 BC)
- Malchus (around 556 – 550 BC)
The Magonid Family
This family held power in Carthage for a long time.
- Mago I (around 550 – 530 BC)
- Hasdrubal I (around 530 – 510 BC)
- Hamilcar I (510 – 480 BC)
- Hanno II (480 – 440 BC)
- Himilco I (in Sicily) (460 – 410 BC)
- Hannibal I (440 – 406 BC)
- Himilco II (406 – 396 BC)
- Mago II (396 – 375 BC)
- Mago III (375 – 344 BC)
- Hanno III (344 – 340 BC)
The Hannonid Family (Second Period)
- Hanno I (340 – 337 BC)
- Gisco (337 – 330 BC)
- Hamilcar II (330 – 309 BC)
- Bomilcar (309 – 308 BC)
From Monarchy to Republic
After Hamilcar I passed away in 480 BC, the ruler of Carthage lost much of their power. An important group of older, wealthy leaders, called the Council of Elders, started to make most of the decisions.
In 308 BC, Bomilcar tried to take back all the power for the monarch. However, his attempt failed. Because of this, Carthage stopped being ruled by a single monarch. Instead, it became a republic, where leaders were chosen by citizens or a council, rather than by a king or queen.
