Essay On Punic Wars

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Punic Wars These wars are called The Punic Wars because the people who settled Carthage were Phoenicians and how Romans referred to them as ‘Poenecian’ later becoming ponic or punic One of the main reasons for these wars was that the two major powers in the Mediterranean, Rome and Carthage were fighting for control over the whole known world at the time. The first Punic War was in Sicily. A group of Italian Mercenaries were invited into a city and eventually became bored and decided to capture the city. These mercenaries became pirates and raiders and pleaded for Carthage to help them. Shortly after, they decided they did not want to obey the rules of Carthage and appealed to Rome to help them regain their city from the Carthaginians. Soon leading to …show more content…

Hamiclar had a hatred for Romans and the old men of Carthage, because he wanted to “re-establish” the Carthaginian Empire in Spain. On his journey he only stopped once to create an oath to the gods. He forced his son Hannabar to swear an oath of vengeance, “never be a friend to Rome.” Hamilcars army from North Africa became one of the strongest fighting forces in the world and their mercenaries became loyal to the Barcid family. Rome started to really become worried, so they decided to send a delegation to ask Hannibal what he was doing. Later Hasdrubal created a treaty with Rome causing the Second Punic War. Rome claimed to protect Saguntum, which was on the wrong side of the Ebro River according to the Carthaginians, leading Hannibal to attack. Rome didn’t come rescue their allie and Carthage destroyed Saguntum, also a cause of the Second Punic War. While Rome sent one consul to Sicily and the other consul to invade Iberia, Hannibal crossed the Alps taking Rome by surprise. For the first time Rome realized this war wouldn’t be

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