Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published bySara McDonald Modified over 9 years ago
1
Carthage vs. Rome
3
Powerful city Founded 8 th century BCE Phoenician city “Punic” is Latin for Phoenician Commercial empire Harbor Sailing and trading Controlled trade in western Mediterranean Major rival of Rome
4
Navy Very large Phoenician sailing tradition Army Mercenaries Government Oligarchy Wealthy elites rich through trade
5
First Punic War (264-241 BCE) Fought over Sicily Rome won Second Punic War (218-201 BCE) R challenged C expansion in Iberia (Spain) Rome won Third Punic War (149-146 BCE) R feared C was becoming a threat again R attacked C and obliterated them Salt in the soil
6
Fought over control of Sicily Strengths Rome: army Carthage: navy
7
Roman solution Build up its navy Four fleets, each destroyed Rome’s new weapon Grappling hook Pull ships together Hand-to-hand fighting Armies on water! Rome won Sicily becomes province of Rome
8
Rome Controlled Corsica and Sardinia Conquered the Gauls (France) Carthage Recovered from its defeat by Rome Started expanding in Iberia
9
Carthage: General Hannibal Led 60,000 men and dozens of elephants to Italy Fought in Italy for 15 years
10
Battle of Cannae (216 BCE) 80,000 Romans 40,000 Carthaginians C won with superior tactics
11
Battle of Metaurus (207 BCE) Pivotal battle of war Hasdrubal (Hannibal’s brother) was bringing supplies for siege of Rome Consul Gaius Claudius Nero Forced march from southern Italy Reinforced Consul Marcus Livius C were outnumbered, Hasdrubal defeated Nero beheaded Hasdrubal, threw into Hannibal’s camp
12
Hannibal could not capture Rome Rome: General Scipio Led army against C in Iberia Then led army into Carthage Finally, returned to defend Rome Battle of Zama (202 BCE) Hannibal’s first and only defeat H escaped and fled to Carthage C lost its fleet, Iberia, and much of North Africa
13
Carthage Rebuilt trading networks and commercial power Rome Felt threatened by competition from C Senator Cato: “ Carthago delenda est! ” (“Carthage must be destroyed!”)
14
R made ridiculous demands of C: 300 noble children as hostages Destroy city of Carthage and rebuild away from coast Carthage refused Had no mercenaries Forced to defend their own city Rome laid siege to Carthage Siege was successful Burned C to the ground, salt in the soil Men killed, women and children made slaves
15
Rome and Carthage were “superpowers” Rome was only remaining superpower Easier for Rome to conquer rest of Mediterranean Roman control of Macedonia Conquered remnants of Alexander’s empire Fighting among Greek city-states Rome took over, ended Greek independence (146 BCE)
16
Conquered areas became Roman provinces Proconsuls Governed each province Members of patrician class Often corrupt Publicans Tax collectors Auctioned for job to become publican Squeezed as much money from conquered as possible
17
Money (taxes and war booty) and cheap goods flooded Rome Africa and Sicily – wheat Spain – silver and tine East – gems and luxury goods Upper classes grew wealthier Lots of money for merchants and traders Government had more money than ever Whoever controlled govt. controlled money Struggle for control of govt.
18
State Power Justice Duty Courage Law Dignity
19
Roman army Originally volunteers “Professional” army lacked fighting spirit Moral and values Corruption replaced dedication to public service (duty) Luxury Replaced hard work, patriotism, simplicity
20
Pros Wealth Trade Taxes Power Control of Mediterranean Cons Difficult to maintain an empire Wealth created new social classes Slavery Problems led to end of republic, rise of empire
21
Money from govt. contracts High-interest loans Bribes and graft in provinces Farms operated by slaves Poor farmers could not compete Wealthy class bought up lands of poor farmers Poor farmers flooded into Rome Right to vote Unemployed masses supported politicians who offered them “bread and circuses”
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.