It is not enough that we are of pure Phoenician blood, that we come of the most enterprising race the world has ever seen, while they are but a mixed breed of many people who have either submitted to our rule or have been enslaved by us.
"This was well enough in the early days of the colony when it was Phoenician arms alone that won our battles and subdued our rivals.

In our days we are few and the populace are many.

Our armies are composed not of Phoenicians, but of the races conquered by us.

Libya and Numidia, Sicily, Sardinia, and Spain, all in turn conquered by us, now furnish us with troops.
"Carthage is a mighty city, but it is no longer a city of Phoenicians.
We form but a small proportion of the population.

It is true that all power rests in our hands, that from our ranks the senate is chosen, the army officered, and the laws administered, but the expenses of the state are vast.