Their army raided the Roman lines of communication,[263] and in 148BC Carthaginian fire ships destroyed many Roman vessels. [177] Hannibal attempted to draw the main Roman army under Gaius Flaminius into a pitched battle by devastating the area they had been sent to protect,[178] provoking Flaminius into a hasty pursuit without proper reconnaissance. Carthage was also forced to give up its fleet and pay a large indemnity in silver to Rome. Rome won the first Punic War when Carthage agreed to terms in 241 BC, in doing so, Rome became the dominant navy in the Mediterranean Sea, Carthage had to pay for war damages, and Rome took control of all of the Carthaginian lands on the island of Sicily. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Punic Wars: There was three wars called the Punic Wars were Rome Fought with the Carthage. In most circumstances Carthage recruited foreigners to make up its army. This gave Rome full control of Sicily and Corsica. Sicily lay partly under Carthaginian and partly under Roman control. Mago's arrival in the north of the Italian peninsula was followed by Hannibal's inconclusive battle of Crotona in 204BC in the far south of the peninsula. The Punic Wars: (264-241, 218-202, 149-146 B.C.). How did the results of the First Punic War lead to the Second Punic War? How did the Punic Wars affect Carthage? Punic Wars, also known as Carthaginian Wars, occurred between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian (Punic) empire from 264 to 146 bce. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Three conflicts between these states took place on both land and sea across the western Mediterranean region and involved a total of forty-three years of warfare. Follow the steps: The end of the war sparked a major but eventually unsuccessful revolt within Carthaginian territory known as the Mercenary War. World History Encyclopedia. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. Rome was better disposed to protracted warfare all three times they went up against Carthage. [254] Masinissa's seizures of and raids into Carthaginian territory became increasingly flagrant. While Carthage supported Syracuse, Rome supported Messina, and the struggle soon exploded into a direct conflict between the two powers, with control of Sicily at stake. Punic Wars, also called Carthaginian Wars, (264146 bce), a series of three wars between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian (Punic) empire, resulting in the destruction of Carthage, the enslavement of its population, and Roman hegemony over the western Mediterranean. What was the significance of the Punic Wars for Rome? [40][41] The close order African infantry and the citizen-militia both fought in a tightly-packed formation known as a phalanx. Why are legends and myths used to explain the founding of Rome? Our main source for information about the Punic Wars is the . ), or Marcus Antonius, was an ally of Julius Caesar and the main rival of his successor Octavian (later Augustus). The two sides' infantry fought inconclusively until the Roman cavalry returned and attacked the Carthaginian rear. [159], Meanwhile, Hannibal assembled a Carthaginian army in New Carthage (modern Cartagena) in Iberia and led it northwards along the coast in May or June. The Romans certainly took this view and demanded Hannibals surrender. Although Rome had no navy and knew nothing of sea battles, they swiftly built and equipped 330 ships. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. With those two men he was integral to Romes transition from republic to empire. Carthage, on the other hand, had long been anxious to conquer Sicily and so to complete the chain of island posts by which it controlled the western Mediterranean. New territories increased Rome's wealth, as Rome gained access to new resources. The Third Punic War, by far the most controversial of the three conflicts between Rome and Carthage, was the result of efforts by Cato the Elder and other hawkish members of the Roman Senate to convince their colleagues that Carthage (even in its weakened state) was a continuing threat to Romes supremacy. In spring 212BC the Romans stormed Syracuse in a surprise night assault and captured several districts of the city. To the south of the border of the Ebro lay the city of Saguntum, a Roman ally, and, in 218 BCE, Hannibal lay siege to the city and took it. Though its invasion of North Africa that same year ended in defeat, Rome refused to give up, and in 241 B.C. The Carthaginians accordingly opened negotiations and consented to a peace by which they ceded Sicily and the Lipari (Eolie) Islands to Rome and paid an indemnity of 3,200 talents. [209][213] It captured several Roman-garrisoned towns on Sicily; many Roman garrisons were either expelled or massacred by Carthaginian partisans. Though Rome won both the First and Second Punic Wars, Carthage at times came close to victory. Archimedes before being killed by the Roman soldier copy of a Roman mosaic from the 2nd century, 2nd centuryBC marble bust, identified as Scipio Africanus. This ultimately led to the establishment of Roman Empire. [75][79][80] The Romans built a navy to challenge Carthage's,[81] and using the corvus inflicted a major defeat at the battle of Mylae in 260BC. At the Battle of Zama in 202, Hannibal sent an elephant charge against the Romans which Scipio, mindful of Hannibal's strategies, deflected easily. [26][27] According to the classicist Richard Miles Rome had an expansionary attitude after southern Italy came under its control, while Carthage had a proprietary approach to Sicily. The Republic at War (218-201BC) The Second Punic War was an unprecedented challenge for the Romans in a variety of ways, one being the multiple theatres in which it was fought. How did the Roman Republic become a dictatorship? The boys' mother was murdered by an evil king named Amulius. . Which statement best describes Julius Caesar's legacy? It took place from 218 BC to 201 BC. The Carthaginian government, however, still as corrupt and selfish as it had always been, taxed the people heavily to help pay the war debt while they, themselves, contributed nothing. In 219 Hannibal laid siege to Saguntum and carried the town in spite of a stubborn defense. Rome won all three wars. The Romans facing Hannibal in southern Italy tricked him into believing the whole Roman army was still in camp, while a large portion marched north under the consul Claudius Nero and reinforced the Romans facing Hasdrubal, who were commanded by the other consul, Marcus Salinator. Second Punic War (218-201 B.C.) [191], The historian Richard Miles describes Cannae as "Rome's greatest military disaster". They besieged and captured the Carthaginian base at Agrigentum in 262 but made little impression upon the Carthaginian fortresses in the west of the island and upon the towns of the interior. Rome emerged as the pre-eminent power in the Mediterranean and Carthage lay in ruin for over one hundred years until it was finally re-built following the death of Julius Caesar. The unresolved strategic rivalry between Rome and Carthage caused the Second Punic War to break out in 218 BC, sparking a major but ultimately unsuccessful revolt within the Carthaginian Empire. They changed sides, sending forces to Hiero II. The main cause of the Punic Wars was the clash of interests between the existing Carthaginian Empire and the expanding Roman Republic. 1 In fact, the Carthaginian's activities in the Second Punic War made such a lasting impression on history that the conflict was branded 'Hannibal's War'. Why were roads important to the military expansion of the Roman Republic? [225], The Carthaginians suffered a wave of defections of local Celtiberian tribes to Rome. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. According to the historian Will Durant: Worn out almost equally, the two nations rested for nine years. 5 - Who did the Romans fight in the Punic Wars? [63][87] The Carthaginians were again beaten;[88] this was possibly the largest naval battle in history by the number of combatants involved. [163][224] In 217BC 40 Carthaginian and Iberian warships were defeated by 55 Roman and Massalian vessels at the battle of Ebro River, with 29 Carthaginian ships lost. The United States gave the executive branch the power to veto laws. - In the First Punic War, Rome gained . One of those disinherited was the Numidian prince Masinissa, who was thus driven into the arms of Rome. [71] Away from the coasts its hilly and rugged terrain made manoeuvring large forces difficult and so encouraged defensive strategies. [note 11][135][136] Weakened by 30 years of war, Carthage agreed rather than again enter into conflict with Rome. [225] In 206BC the Carthaginians ended this drain on their resources by dividing several Numidian kingdoms with him. [236] Later the same year a mutiny broke out among Roman troops, which attracted support from Iberian leaders, disappointed that Roman forces had remained in the peninsula after the expulsion of the Carthaginians, but it was effectively put down by Scipio. Read the passage from the myth of Romulus and Remus.The founding of Rome revolves around two orphan boys named Romulus and Remus. Hannibal, leading the Barcid Empire, and allied to the Carthagians, crossed the Alps and invaded Italy in a series of highly successful battles. Infantry were usually positioned in the centre of the battle line, with light infantry skirmishers to their front and cavalry on each flank. Your email address will not be published. . Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Why did some Romans attempt to reform the government? Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Best Answer. Which statement best describes educational opportunities in Roman society? [62][63], In 260BC Romans set out to construct a fleet and used a shipwrecked Carthaginian quinquereme as a blueprint for their own. and a major victory in the Battle of Ecnomus in 256 B.C. How did the Punic Wars affect the development of the Roman Republic? Campaigns of the Second Punic WarYassineMrabet (GNU FDL). Yale University. Rome also established itself as the naval powerhouse in the Mediterranean Sea.What was the long term economic effect of the Punic wars on Rome?Roman resources were depleted as a result of the loss of territory during the Punic Wars.What were the main effects of the Punic Wars?Punic Wars, also known as Carthaginian Wars, occurred between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian (Punic) empire from 264 to 146 bce. The Carthaginian territories were taken over as the Roman province of Africa. It was the long-standing Roman procedure to elect two men each year as senior magistrates, known as consuls, who at time of war would each lead an army. First Punic War (264-241 B.C.) How did both the construction of roads and the Mediterranean Sea contribute to the expansion of the Roman Republic? [266] The Romans launched an assault on the walls; after confused fighting they broke into the city, but, lost in the dark, withdrew. 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