The Punic Wars
During the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C.E., Rome and Carthage fought 3 wars against each other. The city of Carthage, which is in North Africa, had been established in 814 B.C. by the Phoenicians. The word Punic comes from the Phoenicians which was used to describe them. In this paper I will discuss the 3 wars that were fought between them.
The first two wars lasted 23 years and 17 years respectively and were separated by 23 years. The third war went on for about three years. It started 52 years after the second war ended. All were won by Rome, which consequently arose as the supreme military power in the Mediterranean Sea. The hostility of Carthage provoked Rome to build a big army and to create a powerful naval fleet. The most important generals for Carthage were Hamilcar Barca and his sons Hasdrubal and Hannibal. Rome's generals were Scipio Africanus and his grandson who was adopted, Scipio Aemilianus.
First Punic War (264-241 B.C.)
By 275 B.C.E Rome had conquered what is now Italy. Next Rome would use its resources to thwart any potential threats from the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. The first war started because of a fight between Roman and Carthaginian f over the city of Messina, Sicily. When the soldiers of Hiero II of Syracuse attacked the city they asked Rome and Carthage for help. Both responded but they ended up fighting with each other.
By mastering the sea and using their powerful naval fleet Rome defeated Carthage. The end of the first war came on March 10, 241. It was a battle fought off the west coast of Sicily. Carthage had no choice but surrender Sicily and other lands to Rome. Years after the war Carthage notice that Rome was trying to conquer and control the Mediterranean. To circum...
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The Romans pretty much took their time in conquering Carthage. They even gave Carthage opportunities to give up. It is why they fought tree times. Carthage also had the chance to make the outcome different but never followed up on victories it had when their forces were in Italy. 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. Thus making it one of the greatest military powers the world has ever known. It makes you wonder how the world would have been had Rome not try to dominate the world.
The Second Punic war, beginning in 218 BC, was the second major war between the Roman Empire and the Carthage. Around the same time, the Roman Empire deployed troops to the Northeastern peninsula of Spain to keep reinforcements, from the Carthaginian South, from getting to Hannibal’s armies in Italy to assist them. In A Histor...
After the Costly victory of the Civil War, the Union need to reunite. The Union needed to readmit the rebellious southern states back into the country. Some Americans wanted to punish the south because of the war. They wanted to brutally reunify the country. Others, seeking a much more kinder approach, wanted to reunify the nation in a much more generous way. Both sides of the debate, wanted African Americans to have their freedom however. The problem for President Abraham Lincoln was difficult to answer, and had a detrimental impact on the United States that would last an eternity. Should the reconstruction plan be based on punishment or reunification? What are the civil liberties given to the newly emancipated African Americans? What should
As what happens so often, history is written by the side who wins and in the case of the Punic Wars and Carthage itself most of the information available today comes from Roman sources and authors whose knowledge has been passed down through the ages. According to legend Carthage was initially settled as a Phoenician trading colony (the word “Punic” is Latin for Phoenician) in 813 B.C by the Phoenician Queen Elissa (Mark). From Carthage’s prime location as a trade port its power and prestige grew rather quickly and its expansion brought the city into conflict with another growing ambitious city state called Rome.
The war started because of conflicting interests between the two, especially the expanding Roman Republic. At the end of the war, thousands of lives were lost, Rome ascended into power, conquering Carthage and becoming the most powerful state in the Mediterranean. During one point of the Second War, or the Hannibalic War, Carthage nearly brought Rome to her knees. With reinforcement from their Gallic allies, Carthage defeated the Roman army in the Battles of Trebia, Trasimene, and Cannae. Had Rome not defeated Carthage, the history Western civilization would be drastically altered, shaping a very different world than the one we live in today. It is said “All roads lead to Rome”. There is a lot of truth to this quote because Rome, with all its power and glory, paved the road for our modern society; it allowed Christianity to spread and flourish, the basis for democracy, and served as melting pot of cultures and customs.Rome can be considered one of the greatest influences on Western civilization, leaving us with priceless gifts that we will always
In the battle of Mylae, Rome showcased their initiative and offensive strategy in their use of the Raven, to transform the battle from naval to land in accordance with their strengths, gaining valuable advantage. Once Carthage was vulnerable due to military defeat, Rome opportunistically seized Sardinia, revealing their eagerness to expand the Roman empire and steal Carthage 's power. The ultimatum directed at Carthage to hand over Hannibal or face war, was a reflection of their opportunism and hegemony. In yielding, Carthage would have entailed the loss of the entire empire, as the majority of allies and Carthaginians control was bound to the Barcid family (Rosenstein, 2006). Rome recognised this, and took the opportunity to gain territory and oppress Carthage, as the odds of the Second Punic war were very much in Rome 's favour before the alliance of Hannibal and Phillip V of Macedon. This was an offensive move by Rome, as Carthage avoided breaking the treaty until absolutely necessary, to avoid provoking Rome into war. Unfortunately for Carthage, the mighty power was actively waiting for an excuse and immediately seized the warfare opportunity. After their victory of the 2nd Punic War, Rome showcased their attacking characteristics in continuing to enter wars and expand their territory
Since the beginning of time, man has waged war on his neighbors, his friends and his enemies. In many cases these wars were caused by power-hungry nations that were in the process of expanding their empire and ended up stepping on the toes of another superpower or ally of a superpower. In the case of the first Punic War between Rome and Carthage, Carthage was extending its empire and they stepped on Rome’s toes. During the course of this war the winner was unclear but at times victory seemed eminent for both sides until Rome finally won. 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 Roman Republic was an ancient territory known for its people, people that would fight for passion, unity, and for the prosperity of their country. Carthage, in historic times, was known for its great rulers, especially of the likes of Hannibal. Both of these countries had a mindset on expansion. Both were the worst of rivals. And during the time of the Punic Wars, Carthage was on the brink of becoming the equal to Rome. In fact, during much of the war, it can be argued that Carthage was already stronger than the likes of Rome. Both powers had their strengths. They both had their weaknesses. All in all, this led to Rome becoming a naval power, and eventually taking the best
The Second Punic War, also called the Second Carthaginian War, took place from 218 to 201 B.C between the Roman Republic and Carthaginian Empire. There were three Punic Wars in all, resulting in Roman dominance over the Mediterranean. Rome saw how large Carthage was getting and how much power it was gaining. This, along with the fact that Carthage controlled three islands off the coast of Italy, was an issue for Rome. Rome insisted that Carthage join the Republic, to which Carthage disagreed. The two groups fought for twenty years, ending the wars when Carthage offered Rome the island of Sicily in exchange for peace. Rome took Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. Carthage, lead by Hamilcar Barca, took off to fight Spain. Hamilcar’s son, Hannibal, was nine years old at the time. Before they left Carthage, Hamilcar made his son promise that when he was older he would fight Rome for revenge. Hannibal agreed, thus beginning the legend of Hannibal, military genius. (Second)
Rome became a powerful empire engulfing much of Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia and what seemed like this great entity called the Romans were always in the search of more territory and land to conquer and assimilate into their ever growing vast empire. However, this was not always the case, before Rome became one of the greatest empires in all of history, Rome was a republic. They were government consisted of a Senate who much like our country today represented certain classes of the citizens of the Republic. During the growth and rise of the Roman republic conquering neighboring territories and competing for land grabs was not Romans primary objectives. Romans believed in the well being and wealth of Rome, and if that meant the total destruction of a potential adversary, then as history will show that is unfortunately to the detriment of the adversary what happened.
The military might of Rome was second to none in its prime. Victorious battle after battle did nothing but increase Rome’s population of young men suited for combat, increase Rome’s borders, and increase Rome’s influence over its people and the surrounding people. With such great generals as Alexander the Great, Pompey the Great, and Julius Caesar Rome won many decisive battles. At its largest times, Rome controlled most of the Middle East, Asia Minor, present day Europe, and Egypt. It’s is hard to state that conquering and controlling all of the surrounding territory didn’t help aid in Rome’s great success. But would they have been so successful militarily if they didn’t have the trade routes or the technology?
Even before the war started, Hannibal knew what he was going to do. Since Carthage had no navy, there was no hope of going directly from Carthage to Italy over the Mediterranean Sea. Hannibal thought up a dangerous but ingenious plan. In order to get to Italy over land, Hannibal and his army would have to travel from Carthage-controlled Spain across the Alps and into the heart of the enemy. Hannibal left in the cold winter of 218 B.C. with 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, and 37 war elephants. While crossing the Alps, “Hannibal’s force suffered greatly from the elements and the hostility of the local tribesmen” (Beshara, 3). By the time they reached Italy, after only fourteen days, over 9,000 men had perished along with most of the elephants, but this number was soon replenished after 14,000 northern Gaul rebels joined Hannibal’s army. This group of 60,000 men proved superior to the Roman forces, and after at least three recorded major victories, the Roman senate was exasperated. An army of 80,000 Roman soldiers was sent to stop Hannibal’s army of now 50,000 once and for all. In July of 216 B.C., the Romans engaged the Carthaginians in “the neighborhood of Cannae on the Italian east coast” (Lendering, 2). Greatly outnumbered, Hannibal realized that he would have to win by strategy, and that is exactly what he did. As the two lines met, Hannibal’s cavalry gained the flanks and, moving up the sides, attacked the rear of the Roman line.
...s the collision on Carthage from which Rome emerged ruler of the western Mediterranean. Then there is the third the subjection of the Hellenistic states that gravitated Romans in close contact with the Greek civilization.
Rome, what used to be a tiny city-state, became the dominate power in the Mediterranean. Rome did leave a lasting legacy, and because Rome saved and added on to Greek culture, we can still identify with it in today’s world. (Williams) This turning point for Rome left them supreme over an empire stretching from the Atlantic coast of Spain to the border between Greece and Asia Minor. It was also a turning point for the flow of Roman History. (Schaefer, 1) Rome would not have been so heavily known if they did not win the Punic Wars. I think it would be highly unlikely that Rome could of have been defeated by the Carthegians, but if they were defeated and Carthage had won, Rome would not be such a powerful empire. Leaving Rome with the image of being weak their empire just weak. Carthage will gain territory and assure their dominance over the Western Mediterranean. Again, leaving Rome weak. Rome would not be the Rome we all know today at all. Also Greek culture would not have been saved, so therefore, our world would not know of the Greek culture, including: democracy, philosophy, architecture,
According to Polybius Hannibal Inherited the Second Punic War from his father in much the same was as Alexander the Great inherited his expedition from his father Philip II. What this means is that the events that led to the war were actually the result of the dealings with Hannibal’s father, Hamilcar Barca, and the Romans. Polybius gives us three events that led to the Second Punic War, and none of these events actually involved Hannibal himself. Polybius tells us that the real reason that there was a renewal of activates between Carthage and Rome boiled down to these three factors. The first was the bitterness and anger of Hamilcar Barca at the end of the First Punic War when he was forced to surrender despite being undefeated in Sicily. The second factor, which Polybius tells us is the most important is the Roman seizure of Sardinia, while Carthage was still reeling form the result of the Mercenary Rebellion. The final reason that Polybius gives us is the fact that Carthaginian enterprise in to Spain was so successful.
Hannibal's first battle took place when he was only nine. He went on an expedition with his father, Hamilcar Barca, to conquer Spain. 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. Though these actions were not entirely the "evil" work of Rome. Hannibal from his earliest memories could recall nothing but hatred for Rome. Hannibal’s Father had instilled a horrifically self-destructive desire within Hannibal to see the fall of Rome.