The Punic Wars The Punic wars were a series of conflicts fought between forces of Carthage and Rome between 264 BC and 146 BC. At the time Rome had been claiming land and conquering territory, when Rome ventured to cross the Sicilian Strait, 1 the Romans wanted to conquer as much as they could, with that they now had many different supporters as well as many different people out to get them and wanting to start fights.
Many of the starts of the Punic wars were with Carthage, a large city located on the coast of what is now Lebanon. Carthage was the only great city states that rivaled Rome’s power, wealth and population. 2 Though Carthage had clashed with many different powers, they historically were friendly and had signed many different trading treaties over the years.3 Carthage’s navy was the largest it didn’t hold a permanent army2 they instead relied mostly on mercenaries. Carthage has acquired dominion over the native races of Africa the Lydians and the Numidians.1 With these holds, they were able to slowly gain power like Rome had. Carthage did have a step up on Rome as they were more devolved in their navy, where Rome was not.
The first conflict between Rome and Carthage which we now know as the First Punic war, began in Sicily. Sicily at the time was divided among many different powers, Carthage holing all the power of the western part of the island. The southern part of the island was under control of the king of Syracuse, who ruled this city as well as neighboring cities. This side of the island was taken over by Campanian soldiers who had been serving the king of Syracuse, who on returning home had seized the city of Messana.
Syracuse fought against the Mamertines of Messina, under the orders of Hiero II, the Mamertines asked first Carthage then Rome for help. The Mamertines betrayed Carthage by entreating the Roman Senate for aid against Carthage, the romans then sent men to secure Messina, angry Carthage then sent aid to Syracuse.2 In 264 BC, Rome intervened, involving an attack by soldiers from the city of Syracuse against the city of Messina. Carthage supporting Syracuse and Rome supporting Messina.5 The king of Syracuse then formed an alliance with the Carthaginians to drive the Romans out of the island. Town after town fell to the Roman Army; and in the Second year of the war the important city of Agrigentum was captured after a siege of several months. 5 In late 264 BC Rome and Carthage declared war on each other for the control of Sicily. Rome was so caught up with having as much power as they could, going to war and winning territory was the name of the game. Rome used the territory they had control over as leverage against Carthage in the war, Rome was worried that if Carthage gains control of Sicily which was very close to Italy they could threaten Rome directly.
Appius Claudius Caudex was the consul of Rome in 264 BC, he was given command to the war, he saw an opportunity to win, military achievement. Roman Armies take control of enemies’ ships and construct their own. Both Carthage and Rome both had large expenses to participate in the war, but with the ownership of Sicily at stake they both knew what it would take to win and come out on top. 260 BC the Carthaginians were now plundering the northern coast of Sicily near Mylae, Without delay the Romans sailed to meet them, as the fleets came together the Romans used the Corvus for the first time and, won in hand to hand combat and half of Carthage’s ships had been captured or sunk by Rome. The Romans had fought and gained their first epic battle at sea. 2
In 256 BC felt as if they were ready to carry the war into Africa, with a win behind them they thought they were ready to win again. Unfortunately the Battle of Tunis in the spring of 255 BC Rome lost to Carthage, this was a huge loss for Rome, loss of a consul as well as loss of troops. After a nearly unbroken streak of wins, in 249 BC Carthage defeats the Romans at Drepana but was forced to withdraw due to a lack of manpower and supplies.6 Hamilcar Barca; Gaius Lutatius Catulus were advised to make peace as there was no more options and ended the war. 241 BC Carthage signs a peace treaty under the terms of Carthage retreating in Sicily and to scrap its fleet, requiring a limit to its ships distance, go through Rome with any future wars as well as 3200 talents. Carthage unfortunately couldn’t pay their own war monies and then were owing Rome money.
Carthage spent many years following the war trying to improve finances and expand the colonial empire. At the end of the First Punic war Sicily became Rome’s first overseas province, rome also took control of Corsica and Sardinia.3 Rome’s attention turned to Northern Italy, due to the Gaul’s wreaking havoc.226 BC Ebro river Treaty is introduced, Agreement that Carthaginian forces won’t go past the Ebro River, to get into Europe. Rome is worried Carthage will team up with Gauls to team forces. This is the start of the Second Punic war. In 219 BC Hannibal, the son of Hamilcar Barca takes control of Carthages troops and, two years later he marches his troops across the Ebro River into Saguntum. Saguntum; a city under Roman protection, effetely declaring war on Rome. Rome is terrified of Hannibal as he has defeated many consuls and is Carthages most successful General. Because Rome’s want to one up Carthage, scared or not they decide to bring the war to Hannibal’s territory. Hannibal and his troops received intelligence that Roman armies were moving against him, and gambles marches his forces over the Alps, losing an eye along the way. 6 Hannibal then wins every single engagement against the Romans, conquering northern Italy and gathering Rome’s former allies. Carthage wins over Roman troops at Ticinus, Trebia and Trasimene, at his height Hannibal used his cavalry to surround Rome’s army and inflict massive casualties in Cannae in 216 BC. 5 In 216 BC Q Fabius Maximus Verrucisus (Cuncatator) was appointed Roman Dictator, Hannibal wants to fight another war with Rome, Cuncatator was able to keep troops together for 6 months. Rome now avoids battle with Hannibal as they are losing men and money fast. Rome managed to rebound, the Carthaginians lost hold in Italy as Rome won Victories in Spain, North Africa under the rising young general Publius Cornelius Scipio4. In 203 BC Hannibal’s forces were forced out of Italy in order to defend North Africa. 6 At this point Rome and Carthage hat one another, they are battling for the most power. The following year, Scipio’s army routed Carthage at Zama, Hannibal loses and effectively puts an end to Carthages Empire in the western Mediterranean. Leaving Rome in control of Spain and allowing Carthage to only have its small territory in North Africa2 After Rome takes Carthage for all tis worth, Carthage requires permission for all wars, has to pay 10,000 talents over 50 years. With this in place Carthage has no way to get back at Rome and the power they strived for; for so long is gone.