Punic Wars

Carthage was a city that had been formed by the Phoenicians from Tyre in the 8th century BCE. It was the strongest city in the Mediterranean by the 3rd century and its wealth was caused mainly by success at trade. Carthaginian merchants traded from end to end in the Mediterranean, the city's fleets were huge, and its army was one of the best in the ancient world.

Rome was a budding republic, soon to be empire that was gaining large amounts of territory through military conquests. With these military conquests came booty plundered from conquered lands and trading rights of certain sea-lanes.

Sicily was a land of plenty and was a valuable island to have under control. In 264 BCE, in the port city of Messana, there was a conflict between two factions controlling the city. One side called on Rome for help, while the other called on Carthage. Both thought it to be a

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Cato would end every speech, no matter the subject with, “Carthage must be destroyed!” Cato saw that Carthage was once again flourishing in trade and feared that another major war may take place. us/academics/MS/8th/romanhis/Forum/IanO/index.

Learning of the defeat at Cannae, Capua, the second largest Roman city, defected from Rome. He returned to Carthage with his 20,000-man army intact. With no place to retreat the Roman lines scattered and there was an absolute rout. Rome then sent a fleet larger then the Carthaginians to aid their side. When Hamiclar Barca came into power of Carthage, he set out conquering further into Spain and Gaul, (modern day France. Now the Gallic tribes believed Hannibal and sided with the Carthaginians. Carthage was torched and was no longer a threat to Rome. He marched from New Carthage in Spain, across the Pyrenees.

Common topics in this essay:
Phoenicians Tyre, Cato Carthage, Hannibal Romans, Carthaginians Romans, Occupying Alps, Spain Gaul, Carthage Carthage, Africa Rome, Polos Indus, Battle Zama, punic war, punic wars, destruction rome, empire army navy, defending army, weaken defending, carthaginians romans, foot soldiers, rhone river, sent fleet, gallic tribes, weaken defending army,

Approximate Word count = 1928
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

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