Explain how the Punic Wars enabled Rome to become the dominant power in the Mediterranean Cite the key events and individuals from each of the 3 Punic Wars

Founded about 800 BCE on the North African coast by Phoenician colonists – Modern day Tunisia Became a commercial and naval power all over western Mediterranean: – Spain, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Balearic Islands Rome and Carthage sign a “friendship treaty”: – Roman sphere of influence = Italian peninsula – Carthaginian sphere of influence = northern Africa and Sicily, etc.

Common interests against the Etruscans and the Greeks. Rome starts taking interest in southern Italy and the Mediterranean. Not big enough for both of them, which leads to:

The Latin word Punicus is another version of the Latin Peonicus which comes from the Greek Phoinikikis, a Phoenician. The Greek word comes from the Greek for purple.

City of Messina, Sicily under control of mercenaries: Mamertines Syracuse attacks Mamertines in Messina – Mamertines call on Carthaginians – Once they arrive, the Mamertines second guess themselves and seek help from the Romans – Result: war over Sicily

New military experience for Romans – Created a naval fleet – Naval battles with little or no experience Boarding ramps to throw onto enemy ships Soldiers board and turn it into land battle Sicily becomes first Roman province in 241 B.C.E. Forced the Carthaginians out of Sardinia a few years later, and Romans make Sardinia a province.

Carthage evacuates Sicily. Carthage returns their prisoners of war without ransom, while paying heavy ransom on their own. Carthage evacuates all of the small islands between Sicily and Africa. Carthage pays a 2,200 talents (66 tons) of silver indemnity in ten annual installments, plus an additional indemnity of 1,000 talents (30 tons) immediately.

After the loss of Sicily and Sardinia, Carthaginians turned their efforts toward building up their control in Spain – General Hamilcar Barca, hero of the First Punic War, sent to Spain – Deep hatred for Rome – passes that hatred along to his son, Hannibal

In 218 BC, Hannibal took control of the Greek city and Roman ally, Saguntum, and set up a strong Carthaginian base there – Located on the Iberian peninsula – Rome, again, declared war on Carthage – Hannibal planned to march across the Pyrenees and the Alps in winter to surprise the Roman army Leaves 20,000 men in Spain (brother: Hasdrubal)

Rome: 80,000 infantry and 7,000 cavalry Casualties: 60,000 Carthage: 40,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry Casualties: 6,000 Hannibal couldn’t hold its gains and asks his brother in Spain for help. Rome’ s young general Scipio held them off and then invaded North Africa.

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Carthage called Hannibal home where he is defeated by Scipio the Battle of Zama Carthage: – Lost all its territories outside of Africa – Had to pay yearly indemnity to Rome – Agreed not to wage war outside or inside Africa without Rome’s permission.

Hannibal becomes a civic administrator Rome does not approve and declares him a war criminal Hannibal flees to the east where Rome follows and conquers as they track him Hannibal took poison to avoid capture in 182 BCE

Carthage no longer had her empire, but still a shrewd trading nation…makes Rome nervous African tribes neighboring Carthage knew that the peace treaty between Carthage and Rome stated that if Carthage overstepped her boundaries, it would be interpreted as an act of aggression against Rome – Result: raids on Carthage by the Numidians – Result: 149 B.C. Carthage went after the Numidians

Carthage didn’t stand a chance – War lasts three years – All citizens are either killed or sold into slavery – City of Carthage razed; its fields salted Aftermath: Rome conquers Greece and all of the western Mediterranean, northern Italy and Spain. Many Romans become extremely wealthy due to the conquests.