Chapter 14 section 3 The Punic Wars

Conflicts with Carthage By 264 B.C. Rome had conquered Greek city-states in Southern Italy Came into contact with Carthage (Phoenician City in Northern Africa) Carthage controlled- Spain, islands off the coast of Italy, Sardinia and Sicily Rome feels threatened

Carthage’s “Empire”

First Punic War War breaks out in 264 B.C. It lasts for 23 years Carthage’s strength is its navy Rome’s strength is its army – later built a navy modeled after the Carthaginian warships Added a corvus (bridge) to the ships that allowed soldiers to board enemy ships and fight hand to hand

Romans lost many ships during storms during 1 st war. End result- around 241 B.C. Rome defeats Carthage, terms of peace involved Carthage left and gave up control of Sicily

Hannibal and the 2 nd Punic War War breaks out again in 218 B.C. Carthage is lead by Hannibal Barca- he attacks Rome from the North- came through Spain and Gaul (France) crossing Alps into Italy. He used elephants to help his army cross the Alps

Hannibal’s route

Hannibal fights his way through Italy until he reaches Rome’s gates Carthage did not have the equipment and supplies to break down the city walls Hannibal and his army wander around southern Italy for about 15 years, raiding smaller towns Rome attacks Carthage and Hannibal is called to go back home to help defend her.

Hannibal loses his first battle- at the town of Zama, and Carthage’s power is broken 201 B.C.- Carthage agrees to pay Rome money and give up its territories including Spain

End of 2 Punic Wars Rome gains territory in Spain- so the republic is growing in size and power.

3 rd Punic War Peace last for 50 years Carthage starts to regain some of its power Rome attacks in 149 B.C.- they burned Carthage and plowed salt into their fields so nothing would grow People of Carthage either killed, or captured and sold into slavery

Problems with Corinth 146 B.C.- Greek city Corinth gives Rome some problems- by refusing to obey Roman orders Rome attacks Corinth and burns it to the ground Rome already controlled Macedonia and Syria- now Greece came under its power and control

Rome after 3 rd Punic War

Chapter 14 Section 4 After the Punic Wars …

Changes Adding new territories brings changes to agriculture Small farms replaced by large estate like farms called Latifundias that produced crops and livestock for sale Rome begins to import wheat from Sicily and North Africa Much of the land was ruined in Rome because farmers burned the crops and fields when Hannibal and his army were living off the land during the 2 nd Punic War

Rome begins to enslave the people that were captured during times of war to work on the latifundias Farmers sell their land and move into the city. Living conditions were crowed and unsanitary Disease such as typhus was common The typhus symptoms include gastrointestinal disorders, headache, dry hacking cough, nausea, joints pain, and back ache. The major symptom in this kind of typhus is a persistent fever up to degrees. The duration of the fever may be anywhere between days. There may be rashes of dull rash color on the body. Some other typhus symptoms are delirium, stupor and low blood pressure. The epidemic typhus symptoms are more or less same including fever and rashes. No industry is Rome- most businesses were staffed by Greek slaves Farmers got money by selling votes to politicians

Rome expands borders- demand taxes and enslave those who were conquered. Tax collectors were called publicans- they paid ahead of time for contracts but would collect extra money from the conquered people. Roman farmers lost their land as well as their political and economic independence

Roman luxuries could be imported from elsewhere- leaving the Roman merchants poor. Artisans lost business because rich Romans wanted items from Syria and Greece Government officials were getting rich, but not fixing problems The gap between rich and poor was getting larger This leads to political instability