Usually, they supported the owners.
Some form of law, is always the foundation of even primitive institutions. Law, as it were, has travelled a long, long blood-stained path. From acts so barbaric that they defy belief, to a modern world where much if not most of the world population is exempt from the tyrannical Rule of Man system, and benefit from a transparent Rule of Law. This time-table looks at the significant steps in the ongoing evolution of law on our planet.
Romans believed that as long as Carthage existed it would always pose a threat because if you defeat them and don't destroy them they will just rise again and want to defeat Rome again so they decided that it was necessary to completely wipe them off the face of Earth, which is what happened in the end, as you can see since there's no Carthage any more.
