The Punic Wars

CarthageAncient Phoenician CityFertile interior land

Massive portProduced the best NavyKnown to Rome as the

“Great Other”

Origins of the 1st Punic warCarthage owned part of Sicily

“Small” dispute in MessanaOne side went to Rome for aid and

the other went to Carthage Carthage was allowed to MessanaRome Felt obligated to respond.

1st Punic War (264 – 250BCE)Majority of the war was fought at seaRome had made many mistakes

during this war◦They were not sailors ◦Loss of many ◦fleets ◦Election of ◦New General ◦annually

1st Punic WarRomans were always better at

Land battleDevelopment of the “Corvus”

Plank of wood between boats

Results of 1st WarRome implemented

consequences on Carthage:◦Give up Sicily ◦Puppet Ruler

Rome learned new tactics for war at sea

Learned to conduct war on Grand Scale

Origins of the 2nd Punic WarPeace Treaty with Rome proved

difficult Rome was invading Corsica Hamilcar Barca

◦Conquered much of Spain ◦Despised Rome wanted to have

vengeance for Carthage Hamilcar was getting to old for battle.

Trained his son.

Hannibal Hannibal was quite

young when he became a leader

Military Genius◦Ancient and Modern

TacticsMarched on Rome at

the age of 25 Wanted to fight on

Carthaginian terms

2nd Punic WarRome had an “endless” supply

of manpower Rome had many alliancesAllies were tired of Roman

Treatment and Endless wars. Hannibal

decided to invade Italy itself

War broke out 218 BCE

2nd Punic War

2nd Punic War - Alps Hannibal’s march in to ItalyRoman’s were not prepared for

land invasionAs Hannibal

progressed out of Spain, Romans were not “threatened”

Rhone River in France

2nd Punic War - Alps Crossing the Alps – 217 BCEDangerous 2 reasons:

◦The weather/Ecology of the Mountains

◦Tribes they encountered “Freed” the

Gaul and other Germanic tribes of Northern Italy

2nd Punic War Roman react sending both

Consuls to meet Carthage forcesTrebbia River, Hannibal tricked

the Romans

2nd Punic War Romans

recouped, and met Hannibal a second time. Lake Trasimene. ◦Defeat Rome◦Still not receiving as much aid

Annual elections – 216 elections. ◦Would new consuls better Rome’s

chance?

Battle of Cannae

Results Of Cannae 212 BCERome rebuilt an army. 212 – 211

◦Rome and Carthage

attempts to starve each

other•Hannibal began to terrorize cities•Roman’s goal to keep Hannibal in the South part of Italy

Publius Cornelius Scipio AfricanusRan for Consul 205 BCEWould attack Carthage

204Carthage appealed for

Hannibal to return

Hannibal took 2 years to get back to Carthage.

Hannibal was able to raise more troops

Battle of Zama Both side had

about the same number of men.

Romans had the better cavalry

Hannibal, on home ground in Africa now, had his elephants

Scipio knew how Hannibal fought with trickery

Roman troops were prepared

End of the Second Punic War

VICTORY!!!

Results of 2nd Punic War Turning point for Rome & RepublicDuring the past 50 years Rome gained

control over the majority of the Mediterrannean

Republic had to adjust:◦ Fiances◦ Administration◦ Foreign Policy◦ Alliance system

Later Rome would have to face Greece

3rd Punic WarCarthage

recovered economically

The Roman Senate felt threaten

Cato – Senate Elder

Started to campaign with the slogan:Carthago Delenda Est! (Carthage must be

detroyed)

3rd Punic WarCato got his

way Rome

marched on Carthage

Carthage avoided fighting at first149 BCE – Carthage defends itself.

3 years of fighting, Carthage city walls were breached

Rome was victoriousDestruction of Carthage – Salted the

Land