Sacred Band of Carthage: Difference between revisions

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The '''[[Sacred Band]] of [[Carthage]]''' was the elite military force guarding the city of Carthage itself. Unlike most of the Carthaginian military, it was formed entirely of Carthaginian citizens as opposed to mercenaries; in fact, it was the only armed force of Carthage where mercenaries were forbidden to join. The Sacred Band of [[Astarte]] was a unit of heavy cavalry, operating in the Hellenistic style. [[Baal]] had his own Sacred Band as well, operating as heavy infantry.
 
It is important to note that the [[Pederasty in ancient Greece|pederasty]homosexuality] which was central to the existence and effectiveness of analogous Greek units did not exist in Carthage, due to religious and social prohibition of such activities. They were sacred not because of their oath, but because their equipment was 'owned' in a sense, by their respective temples.
 
The Sacred Band was well perceived on battlefield by its white appearance. They disappeared in the course at the time of the 1st Punic War the latest.