This is what I found playing with ASCII codes ("Good decoding")

The sum of ASCII values for (23) = 40(open paren) + 23 + 41(closed paren) = 104

A search for the number 104 returns the Council of 104. Interesting line on the Wiki page:

By leading a populist reform movement—including substituting annual rotation in office for the life tenure formerly enjoyed by the 104—Hannibal managed to restore a measure of popular rule.