Punic Wars

The Comparing and Contrasting of Leaders and War Strategies in the Punic Wars The Punic Wars consisted of three conflicts, the First Punic War, the Second Punic War, and the Third Punic War. All three of these wars were between Carthage and Rome to conquer more power through trade and wealth. All of these conflicts were similar, but different at the same time. The first, second, and third Punic War all relate to one another in the same ways. They all consist of extravagant war strategies, highly intelligent military leaders, and they all were fought for the same reason, to gain power. The Punic Wars were the three conflicts remembered to be between Carthage and Rome. When the wars began, Rome had nearly finished conquering Italy, while Carthage

The first war began with Rome fighting Carthage for their chain of islands that enabled control of the Mediterranean. The second war was directly fought over the control of Sicily. The last war was the final and pathetic attempt of Carthage to try and save Punic freedom. (“The Rival Between Scipio and Hannibal”) Before the Punic Wars began, legend has it that the Phoenician settlers who originated from the Mediterranean port of Tyre established the state of Carthage. They chose to put in on the northern coast of Africa, just north of what is now Tunis. Carthage was made in 814 B.C. By 265 B.C, Carthage was the richest, most educated and advanced city in the region. They even had a very strong naval force. Even though Carthage had its other enemies, who they fought brutally, its encounters with Rome were quite peaceful. Before the Punic Wars, they had signed several treaties establishing trading boundaries. (“The Punic Wars”) What sparked the First Punic War was in the year of 264 B.C, Rome decided it was time to intervene when a dispute over the coast of Sicily led to an attack against Syracuse and Messina. Rome was in full support of Messina, while Carthage was in full support of

Once Hannibal conquered this city Rome declared war. The Carthaginians now had a new war general, and were seeking revenge on Rome. Hannibal, their new war general, led an attack on Saguntum, which was a Roman allied city. After this attack the Romans declared war, starting the Second Punic War. It is said that the Second Punic War was one of the biggest struggles in history. (“The Rival Between Scipio and