1. Rome and Carthage

2. Roman Republic
Was not a static institution but rather a continually evolving structure
Political participation and eligibility widened over time (orig. Senate with 2 Consuls, then Assembly with Tribune)
Republic born in late 6th Cent BC, consolidates hold on Italy and looks to Western Mediterranean in 3rd Cent BC

3. Carthage Oligarchy ruled and elected 2 suffets (judges)
Strongest maritime power of Western Mediterranean in 3rd Cent BC (orig. Phoenician colony)
Trade is key source of wealth and while some citizens serve in the army, that wealth is used to hire mercenaries

4. Empires Before War

5. First Punic War BC
Sicily a hub for trade and Syracuse itself very wealthy
Rome consolidated control of Italy and wanted to expand

6. Second Punic War 218-201BC Rome seizes Corsica and Sardinia in 238 BC
Carthage expanded territory in Spain making Rome nervous
Rome supported rebels in Spain – Hannibal Barca, long taught to hate the Romans gathers an army to invade

7. Second Punic War BC
Army includes Carthaginian soldiers, Celts from Spain, horsemen from Numidia and an elephant corps of 40
About 50,000 men cross the Alps in fall and despite losses in the crossing and first battles, their new Gallic allies bolster their numbers

8. Second Punic War BC
Hannibal wins series of victories along the entire length of Italy for 14 years, including the destruction of an 80,000 strong Roman army at the battle of Cannae
Roman attacks on Spain and eventually Africa cause Hannibal to withdraw to Carthage

9. Second Punic War BC
Numidians ally with Romans and Scipio Africanus uses Hannibal’s own tactics against him
Hannibal is defeated at Zama in 202 BC

10. Third Punic War BC
Carthage gained a 50yr respite as Rome conquered Greece
Eventually Cato convinced Rome to eliminate Carthage
Men killed, women and children enslaved, and earth sown with salt

11. Rome at End of Punic Wars