Tbh he’s a bit complicated to explain for me 🤔 but to start, he’s the son of Phoenicia/Melqart! He and his father weren’t always super close but Carthage respects Phoenicia. Phoenicia taught him everything he knows about business, trading and his knowledge on the seas in general lol. To be honest, I didn’t want to take the military route I see most people go for with their APH Carthage ocs which isn’t bad at all! I just thought it’d be interesting if he was more based on Carthaginian politicians.
He’s very prideful, a bit stuck up but presents himself as superior (like literally everyone in the ancient world). He’s a bit narcissistic too but it’s more or less just having an inflated ego. He likes to show off his navy and how good at trading he is and a lot of the times, his wealth.
Before I go any further I AM A TOXIC DOOMED UNHEALTHY CARTHROME TRUTHER. THEY ARE AT EACH OTHER’S NECKS AND REGRET THEY EVER TRIED TO MAKE A RELATIONSHIP WORK THEY ARE SO TOXIC YAOI.
Rome and Carthage’s relationship to me is veeeery interesting. Like… Carthage knew he was great. The people around him knew he was a great. He was a big, maritime trading empire. But he needed more. It was never enough for him—I’m not sure if he feels guilty about this want for more and more but I’m leaning towards yes.
Rome was the same. He was just a regional power at the time, away from his siblings trying to conquer the Italian peninsula. But he oh so desperately needed to be recognised as more. He wanted to know he could rest comfortably knowing there was nobody that was going to try and invade him at any given time. Most of all, he wanted superiority (young Rome was EXTREMELY narcissistic lmao.. glad he’s toned it down overtime).
Their relationship just started out as acknowledging they needed something from each other and they were the ones that were going to give it to each other. But they got attached, “somewhat”. I think Carthage especially knew it was wrong and he shouldn’t try to pursue something more with Rome because he just has this gut feeling it’s not going to end well for him—Rome is growing, he!s becoming stronger, and sooner or later he wasn’t going to need Carthage anymore. But he did it anyway.
When Rome did eventually end up leaving him Carthage was PISSED (and maybe a lil heartbroken but shhh Carthage voice im a manly man that doesn’t need romance), but he could stomach it for now until that shit with the Mamertines happened—honestly thats another conversation in itself but basically, I have two Mamertines ocs, a set of siblings and being the land pirates they were they reunited Carthage and Rome except it’s not a happy reunion and Carthage wants to see Rome burn at a stake and vice versa.
Carthage voice I’ll make you pay Rome….. I’M NOT DONE YET….. evilly laughs
Rome voice I’ll make you pay Carthage….. I’M NOT DONE YET….. evilly laughs
Rome voice heh. I told you.
When Carthage found himself at Rome’s mercy it was like his pride had disappeared. After the first Punic War, he was discouraged but he still believed he was going to win. At the end he had to face the fact he wasn’t invincible—and so did Rome. (After the second Punic war in particular I’m pretty sure he’s thoroughly a bit afraid of Carthage and the seas from the first coughs HANNIBAL IS AT THE GATES!!!1!1!1!)
In the afterlife, Carthage is more of a bitter old man. Distant, doesn’t really say much and just kind of lives alone lol. “Requiem for O.M.M.2” is him/CarthRome coded
Anyways fanart time! (Check alt texts for second and third)
(Credits: @gracheeee for the first, @fertaine for the second and third, and @pin4tre for the last)
