Recapping the World History Seminar “Carthage: A Republic at War” conducted by Prof. Michael TAYLOR on 27 October 2022

Prof. Michael TAYLOR from the Department of History, University at Albany, State University of New York, was invited by the Centre for Comparative and Public History to deliver a lecture entitled “Carthage: A Republic at War” on 27 October 2022. At the beginning, he narrowed down the topic to “Judges and Generals at Carthage: Constitution and Imperialism: 406-146 BC” to explore how an unusual aspect of Carthage’s constitution influenced its war making capacity. After reexamining the mixed constitutions endorsed by Aristotle and Polybius, he further moved onto exploring ancient republics and war. Specifically, the Carthage’s constitution featured an effective separation of powers between two separately-elected groups, the civil executives (shofetim, “judges”) and military commanders (rabbim, “generals”). Though institutional mechanisms of debate and deliberation tended to improve information processing and decision making, the divergence of military and civil careers spawned institutional abnormalities at Carthage. It can be exemplified by the Punic Wars between 264 and 146 BC. To intensify diplomatic relations and recruit foreign troops, the Carthaginian generals were often engaged in exogamous marriages, which produced an unusually brutal accountability regime that restrained the generals. Overall, compared with its counterpart Rome, this intensive structure discouraged aggression and initiative of Carthage, rendering it less belligerent and competitive in the military.

Recapping the Academic Seminar “清代的「健訟之風」話語及其表達性現實” held on 29 October 2022

An online academic seminar entitled “清代的「健訟之風」話語及其表達性現實” was held on 29 October 2022. Prof. YOU Chenjun of School of Law, Renmin University of China discussed the relationship between litigation and society from a historical perspective with his recent book 聚訟紛紜：清代「健訟之風」話語及其表達性現實 with nearly 200 participants.

World History Seminar (2022-23)

Organisers: Centre for Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK
Enquiry: 3943 8541

Workshops for the Final-Year RPg Students 2022-23

For enquiry, please call 3943 7448.

M.A. Programme in Comparative and Public History Information Seminar cum Public Lecture

Organiser: M.A. Programme in Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK

Academic Seminar

Organisers: M.A. Programme in Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK; Alumni Association of M.A. in Comparative and Public History, CUHK

Further Study Sharing Session 2022-23

Organiser: M.A. Programme in Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK

Academic Seminar

Organisers: M.A. Programme in Comparative and Public History, Department of History, CUHK; Alumni Association of M.A. in Comparative and Public History, CUHK

For teachers and students who have information to share with the Department, please email your articles in both Chinese and English to chanfiona@cuhk.edu.hk by 4:00pm every Monday.