Second Punic War

General Adherbal on the other hand was celebrated as a hero in Carthage. Even with the major naval victory in the waters of Drepana, the Carthaginian could not overcome the Romans in the overall war between the two. The Carthaginians were eventually forced to sign a treaty that forced them to vacate from Sicily, pay a large fine, and not fight against Roman allies. Only 23 years later would they begin a new war against each other called the Second Punic War. (Rickard, J)

They waited to see if they could turn Rome allies against them but it was to no avail. This should be a good lesson on when to be aggressive and when not to be. Carthage should have taken a page out of the Roman’s play book and took the fight to the Romans. But they didn’t and that was there downfall. In the end greed and power was all the reason Rome needed to conquer Carthage and the rest of the Mediterranean territories.

Question: Account for Pompey’s rise to political prominence between 78- 62 BC. You are to examine and analyse political machinations of Pompey and attempt to explain how he managed to fulfil his ambition. You must establish a clear understanding of the complexities of the political situation and the effects of the Civil War. Gnaeus Pompeius Crassus, better known as Pompey, or Pompey the Great, was born on September the 20th, 106 BC. Pompey was a Roman general and statesman, the erstwhile ally of Julius Caesar, but later his arch rival for power.

Hannibal was at an obvious disadvantage in regards of reinforcements and provisions. In 204, the Italian general Scipio landed in Carthage. He was so successful Carthage begged for peace the following year. Terms were agreed upon, and Hannibal was called on. The sight of Hannibal caused the Carthaginians to resist, however, and hostilities were renewed.

From the beginning Carthage’s push into Spain, Hannibal vowed eternal hatred for Rome; Hannibal became Commander in Chief of Carthage’s army when he was 26 after his father was assassinated. His conquest of the Roman town of Sagunto in Spain led to a new declaration of war by Rome; which started the second Punic War and Hannibal’s promise to visit Roman injustice back on Rome a hundred fold. For Carthage to take the town of Sagunto was completely within the rights of the Carthage and the treaty but Rome at the time was getting too big and becoming very imperialistic. All Rome could see was that they had to have all of the Mediterranean and the only thing that stood in their way was a single General and his men. The way in which the Romans were unconsciously straying from "mos maiorum" to manipulate the course of events was disturbing.

This war lasting 17 years, has often been called the “Hannibalic War,” One of the major exploits of this campaign was Hannibal’s decision to attack Rome from the north of Italy instead of the south. Hannibal was eventually defeated and rather than be captured he committed suicide. Carthage was also defeated weakening the state even more and increasing the Romans power. The third and Final Punic War was caused what some believe was war mongering by wealthy Roman senators with financial interests. Whatever the reason was, this war had a tragic outcome for Carthage ... ... middle of paper ... ... Sulla’s rule was significant partly due to the fact that he gained his position by a show of military force by marching his army into Rome and that once this power was gained he was granted the power of dictatorship.

Clearly though, Hannibal had instilled a lasting fear and respect in the Romans from his earlier victories during the Second Punic war. It has been said that “Hannibal became such a figure of terror that whenever disaster struck, the Roman Senators would exclaim ‘Hannibal ante portas’ (“Hannibal is at the gates!”) to express their fear or anxiety.” That is a legacy that cannot be considered anything but impressive. Hannibal’s failures were significant, but his lasting legacy is nothing short of a spectacular success.

The Romans had control in the first part of the war but this would not last. After the Romans first win they decided that they needed a victory over the city of Carthage but this would turn the tides in favor of the Carthaginians. For some 15 years after this defeat of Rome the tides went back and forth between the two but would eventually lead to the Romans victory. After the victory, Rome made some very harsh demands and Carthage filled those demands even though some of them were very extreme. The first Punic War started with a request by the locals in Messana for the Romans to aid them in defeating the Carthaginians.

The second war started when Hannibal invaded Italy and had two signature victories at Lake Trasimene and Cannae but was eventually defeated by Roman general Scipio Aemilianus which left Rome in much control of the Mediterranean Sea and a big section of Spain. The third war ended with Rome invading and capturing carthage in 146 B.C. led by Scipio which turned yet another big country into a Roman empire. The first Punic War was started when soldiers from the city of Syracuse decided to get involved in a dispute on the island of Sicily which was then controlled by Carthage. Syracuse attacked the city of Messina, before the attack the two cities had no problem with each other and they supported each other.

After the war, Rome’s victory took Sicily from Carthage, which was one of its most important provinces Carthage had. During the Carthage civil war, Rome took Sardinia and Corsica as well. These events all left a great impression on Hannibal as a child. Hannibal was the eldest son of Hamilcar Barca, Who commanded the Carthaginian military at the time. Because of this, Hamilcar made Hannibal swear a blood oath of hatred towards Rome.