The Punic Wars Rome Vs. Carthage
Carthage had been founded as Phoenician colony 500 years earlier Dispute over control of Sicily and trade routes in the western Mediterranean brought Rome into conflict with the powerful North African city-state of Carthage Carthage had been founded as Phoenician colony 500 years earlier Result was the three Punic Wars 264-146 BC
Before the War Rome was expanding Carthage conquered three islands off of Italy. Italy thought those islands should belong to them. Carthage had a great navy. Rome had a great army.
First Punic War Lasted 20 years Rome won. Lots of death and destruction Carthage had to leave Sicily and pay a huge fine to the Romans.
Second Punic War – 23 years later Carthage invades Spain. Rome sends help to aide Spain. Hannibal (Carthage’s general) attacks Rome. 46,000 men, horses, and elephants. Marched across the Alps. Beat Rome at Cannae Scipio (Rome’s general) finally defeats Hannibal at Carthage.
Third Punic War Rome burns Carthage to the ground to keep them from becoming strong again. Rome wins again, and Carthage becomes a Roman province. Many of the people in Carthage were enslaved.