Aristotle on the Constitution of Carthage

Here is an article about Aristotle's views on the Carthage's form of government:

the Constitution of Carthage, c. 340 BC: Aristotle

Books to Bring

As this year's LARP is set well before modern nights, I don't belive having the 3rd edition books on hand for reference is a good idea. I'll be bringing my Dark Ages books as they have more relevence. I understand that it won't be a perfect match, but its as close as we have in print. I'll bring the following books:

Dark Ages: Vampire
Dark Ages: Inquisitor
Dark Ages: Werewolf
Dark Ages: Players Guide to the Low Clans
Dark Ages: Players Guide to the High Clans
Dark Ages: Vampire Storytellers Companion

I doubt Inquisitor will be useful, but who knows? If someone would bring Dark Ages: Mage, that would be great as I do not own it.

Dido, Founder of Carthage

As the SLUGS judges are a smart bunch and like to draw on history for characters and game elements, I believe that Dido, the first Queen of Carthage could be a figure in the LARP. She could be either a vampire or the inspirational figure for a cult that seeks to influence the affairs of the city.

She is the daughter of a king of Tyre whose brother ascends the throne. She defies him and flees the city with some followers. She negotiates for some land and found the city of Carthage. A local king wants her for his wife or he will attack the city. Her advisors tell her only that he wants a Phoenician to dwell with him and teach him their ways. They also comment that no true Carthaginian would do such a thing as it is dishonorable. She condemns the viewpoint and states that any true Carthaginian would do what they could for their city, including giving their own life. They then reveal that the king wants her for a wife. I guess they did not like her very much. She is trapped by her statements and agrees to marry the king but wants to honor her first husband. She builds a pyre and feeds it sacrifices in his honor. Then, she ascends the pyre and sacrifices herself, ending the crisis.

Some sources also posit that she held more Republican ideals that would be more liberal than the current (350 BC) political status quo. So, her cult could be dedicated to revolution and reform. They would be the rabble-rousers of the game.

Rome

HBO is currently showing the series Rome:

Link

It is set nearly 300 years after the LARP this year is set, but could inform on the values and habits of a pre-Christian society. I'll be taping the show and hope to screen it at the Thursday party. See you all there!

344 BC

So, what year is the LARP set in? My best guess is 344 BC. The blurb from the gaming page states that it is about 350 BC. It also states that a new "Suffete" is being elected. Mago III died in 344 BC and the next king (Hanno III) took over that year. Other things going on in this year include:

-- Aristotle, a student of Plato, investigates natural history (especially marine biology) on the island of Lesbos

-- Eastern Anatolia separates from Persia.

-- Dionysius, Tyrant of Syracuse, goes into exile after an invasion by Timoleon of Corinth.

-- Battle of Granciu.

-- According to Plutarch, a 12-year-old Alexander the Great acquires Bucephalus, his legendary horse

So, many plot tie-ins including Alexander the Great, Aristotle and Syracuse. During this era, Carthage was at war with Syracuse over Sicily and not doing well. Also, Plato died three years prior in 347 BC, so maybe he is a vampire?

Anyone care to make a case for another year?

Some Information About Carthage

Qart-Hadasht is also known as Carthage. You can read up on Carthage on Wikipedia at the following link:

Carthage

Here is some information about the 4th Century BC:

4th Century BC

This Year's Setting

From the following link:

Slugs Larp

"Set in the ancient city of Qart-Hadasht, ~350 BCE, political, religious, and moral intrigue run rife through the city. The kindred are in disarray. With a new Suffete being elected on Saturday, everyone has a role to fill. What will become of one of the largest trading centers on the Mediterranean Sea?" Player briefing will be held in Gateway Center Mississippian Room at 7pm. All players are required to attend this briefing. This is a multiple session event beginning with Sessions 4 & 5 on Friday. The game will restart in Sessions 8 concluding in Session 9 on Sunday morning. Debrief will be held on Sunday afternoon.

The cost this year will be $10.

Statement of Purpose

This blog is for the players of the SLUGS LARP that takes place at the Archon Sci-Fi fandom convention. Archon takes place in early October in Collinsville, Illinois at the convention center. Archon in 2005 will take place September 29 through October 2. This blog is for players to post about this year's LARP. This blog will contain pre-game talk, posts about what is going down during the event and a post-game wrap-up. This blog is not official, just something by the players, for the players. All information provided is guess-work. E-mail me at djfengshui+slugs@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.