es._--The power of the Suffetes was only annual, and their
authority in Carthage answered to that of the consuls at Rome.(532) In
authors they are frequently called kings, dictators, consuls, because they
exercised the functions of all three. History does not inform us of the
manner of their election. They were empowered to assemble the senate;(533)
in which they presided, proposed subjects for deliberation, and collected
the votes;(534) and they likewise presided in all debates on matters of
importance. Their authority was not limited to the city, nor confined to
civil affairs: they sometimes had the command of the armies. We find, that
when their employment of Suffetes expired, they were made praetors, which
was a considerable office, since, besides conferring upon them the
privilege of presiding in some causes, it also empowered them to propose
and enact new laws, and call to account the receivers of the public
revenues, as appears from what Livy relates(535) concerning Hannibal on
this head, and which I shall take notice of in the sequel.

_The Senate._--The Senate, composed of persons who were venerable on
account of their age, their experience, their birth, their riches, and
especially their merit, formed the council of state; and were, if I may
use that expression, the soul of the public deliberations. Their number is
not exactly known: it must, however, have been very great, since a hundred
were selected from it to form a separate assembly, of which I shall
immediately have occasion to speak. In the senate, all affairs of
consequence were debated, the letters from generals read, the complaints
of provinces heard, ambassadors admitted to audience, and peace or war
determined, as is seen on many occasions.

When the sentiments and votes were unanimous, the senate decided
supremely, and there lay no appeal from it.(536) When there was a
division, and the senate could not be brought to an agreement, the affair
was then laid before the people, on whom the power of deciding thereby
devolved. The reader will easily perceive the great wisdom of this
regulation: and how happily it was adapted to crush factions, to produce
harmony, and to enforce and corroborate good counsels; such an assembly
being extremely jealous of its authority, and not easily prevailed upon to
let it pass into other hands. Of this we have a memorable instance in
Polybius.(537) When after the loss of the battle fought in Africa, at the
end of the se