7.2 Ancient Civ: Punic Wars

Carthage in the punic wars

Located in Northern Africa (modern day Tunisia); enemy of Rome. It was ideal for trading so they were able to build a empire off of commerce Phoenician heritage: originally from Tyre. The Phoenicians were expert sea-farers, made the Carthaginians have the most powerful navy in the Mediterranean. Created apartments and water/plumbing systems. Had gigantic, powerful walls that ran through the whole city (comes into play during the 3rd Punic War)

Who was Polybius

A Greek historian who documented the Punic Wars and provided insights into Roman history

What was a Corvus

Type of ship used by the Romans that helps them win the first Punic War (Note: Carthage had a stronger navy at the time). A crane that was used so the Roman army could get onto Carthaginian ships. They could then do hand-to-hand combat with them on sea. Leveled the playing field between Rome and Carthage at sea

What is a Quinquireme

A type of ancient warship that was a standard vessel used by both of the empires. Composed of five banks of oars that propelled the ship

What was Sicily

An island between both Rome and Carthage that housed the city of Messina. At first, Sicily was attacked by Syracuse and asked for help from Rome and Carthage which ended up with both empires fighting over the island. Also had fertile islands.

what was a Mercenary

A soldier hired to serve in a foreign army. Carthage heavily relied on them

Affects Mercenaries had on the Carthaginian army

They didn’t have as much motivation because they weren’t from Carthage and were foreigners and so they were only fighting for money; while Roman soldiers had a lot of motivation because they were fighting for their land and families. Also Carthage faced problems after the first punic war that was financial because they couldn’t pay back the mercenaries which led to the mercenary war, but it was stopped by Hamilcar

In the 2nd Punic War who did the Carthaginians employ to fight with them

Gauls and Numidians

Who was Hannibal

Hamilcar’s son and a genius Carthaginian general during the 2nd Punic war who is known for his strategic military tactics, including his famous crossing of the Alps to invade Italy.

What was Hannibal’s plan during the 2nd punic war

He would neutralize Roman advantage at sea so they would abandon their forces in. Across the Alps he would recruit soldiers from Rome’s conquered region of northern and southern Italy, disrupting Roman’s web of alliances to severely weaken them

What was Saguntum

A city south of the Ebro River and is the place of Hannibal’s first assault which caused the 2nd Punic War.

Who was Fabius Maximus

2nd Punic War: dictator of Rome

What is a Dictator

a temporary position in the Roman republic, where one holds supreme power and makes all military decision

What was the Fabian tactic

Avoid direct confrontation and large scale battles to wear down Carthaginian army’s resources. It was hated by the senate and the population because Roman land was stolen by the unchecked Carthaginian army.

What was Cannae

 City in Italy: location of the Battle of Cannae (2nd Punic War - 216 BC). Defeated by Romans. During the battle, Hannibal employed all his strongest soldiers in the wings, and the weakest in the middle so he could flank the Roman army

Who was Scipio Africanus

Roman military general and defeated Hannibal in the battle of Zama

What was Zama

Where Rome had a major victory and also the location of the Battle of Zama

What was Scipio’s plan

Make maniples with gaps in between them with lightly-armored skirmishers, who could move out of the way of a in-coming elephant and neutralize them as they couldn’t disrupt the Roman lines. Also used large sounds like horns to disorient the beasts and cause them to attack the Carthaginian army back

Who is Cato the Elder

Roman statesman who advocated the complete destruction of Carthage during the 3rd Punic War as he believed that Carthage would grow back into a large empire if they left them unchecked.

1st Punic War dates

264-241 BC

2nd Punic War dates

 219-202 BC

3rd Punic War dates

149-146 BC

Battle of Zama dates

 202 BC - Rome wins

Battle of Cannae dates

 216 BC - Carthage wins

Cause for 1st punic war

Rome and Carthage both wanted control of the city-state of Messinia on Sicily because of trade

Battles in 1st Punic War

Aegates Island (last battle-Roman victory)

Results of 1st punic war

Rome gains control of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. Carthage agrees not to sail ships in Roman water. Not to recruit soldiers from the Italian Peninsula. Carthage had to pay war reparations.

Reasons for 2nd Punic War

Carthage was able to rebuild itself after the first initial war. They started expanding in Hispania, and ended up besieging Sanctum, a Roman ally. 

battles and people in 2nd Punic War

Hannibal Barca, Trebia (218), Lake Triseme (217), Fabius Maximus, Battle of Cannae, and Battle of Zama.

Results of 2nd Punic War

Rome wins (201 BC). Carthage gives up all land outside of North Africa and pays large indemnity. Carthage cannot wage war without Rome’s permission.

Cause for 3rd Punic war

In the treaty with Rome, Carthage was not allowed to declare war without the permission, however, they attacked Numidia after it harassed the city. As a result of Carthage attacking Numidia, Rome gave Carthage an ultimatum: go inland or go to war. Carthage picked war.

Results of 3rd Punic War

Carthage ends up destroyed and Rome repurposes the land for trade