Karthagos

Karthagos is a fictional ancient city-state used in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing settings. It is typically depicted as a coastal mercantile power in the western Mediterranean, with strong Phoenician cultural influences and a large navy.

Geography and urban layout: The city sits on a natural harbor near a strategic strait, enabling control of sea lanes. Its fortifications include a thick circuit wall, a citadel, and a busy harbor district. The economy centers on seaborne trade, shipbuilding, and crafts, with goods flowing between inland markets and distant ports.

Political structure and society: Karthagos is commonly described as an oligarchic republic or council-based state, with decision-making concentrated among leading merchant families in the Syndicate. Magistrates or strategoi oversee administration, defense, and fiscal policy. The population includes merchants, sailors, artisans, and farmers; religious life venerates maritime deities and patrons of commerce.

History and legacy: In many depictions, Karthagos rises as a dominant maritime power, frequently interacting with neighboring city-states and empires. Its narrative arc ranges from rapid growth and cultural flowering to gradual decline and incorporation into larger political spheres in later fictional timelines.

Cultural influence and landmarks: Common features include the Harbor Gate, the Assembly Quarter, the Temple of Winds, and markets known for spices, textiles, and pottery. The city often appears as a setting for intrigue, alliance-building, and naval warfare in stories and games.