Like many civilisations, the Carthaginians believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Chief amongst the gods were the God Ba’al Hammon and the Goddess Tanit. If we are to believe writers of the time these deities demanded regular child sacrifices: nothing else could slake their dark appetites and guarantee their favour to the people of Carthage. Nobles were expected to offer their own children to satisfy the hunger of Ba’al Hammon and Tanit. Anything less would be have been an affront to the gods.
