Test 10/24 - The Punic Wars

Where was Carthage located?

Near modern-day Tunisia

Who settled Carthage?

Colonists from Phoenicia

What did Carthage sacrifice?

They sacrificed thousands of babies to a false god.

How did Rome view Carthage?

As evil and totally alien.

What was Rome’s motto during the Punic Wars?

“Carthage must be destroyed.”

How long had Carthage been a naval power before the wars?

Over 300 years

At the start of the First Punic War, what did Rome lack?

They had no navy or ships.

How did Rome build its navy?

From scratch, learning as they went and rebuilding after storms.

How many ships did Rome lose at sea before rebuilding?

More than 150 ships (on three separate occasions).

What happened after Rome rebuilt its navy?

They defeated Carthage’s navy, took control of Sicily, and dominated the Mediterranean.

Who was the Carthaginian general in the Second Punic War?

Hannibal

How did Hannibal reach Italy?

He crossed the Alps with his army and war elephants

What happened at the Battle of Lake Trebia (218 B.C.)?

Hannibal destroyed 2/3 of the Roman army.

What happened at the Battle of Lake Trasimene?

Hannibal ambushed two Roman legions and destroyed them.

How big was a Roman legion?

3,000-6,000 men plus 300-700 cavalry

What was Hannibal’s trick with the oxen?

He tied torches to 2,000 oxen’s horns at night to distract the Romans

What year was the Battle of Cannae?

216 B.C.

What year was the Battle at Lake Trebia?

218 B.C.

How many Romans fought at Cannae, and how many did Hannibal have?

50,000 Romans vs. Hannibal’s smaller army.

What groups did Hannibal place in the center of his army?

The Gauls and Iberians

What did Hannibal’s infantry and cavalry do during the Battle?

They surrounded the Roman army.

What were the losses at Cannae?

Romans lost 35,000 men, and Hannibal lost 5,700.

Why is Hannibal’s victory at Cannae famous?

His battle strategy is still studied in military colleges today.

What ended after Carthage’s defeat in the Third Punic War?

Massive human sacrifice was never again known in the European or Mediterranean world.

Define infantry

Soldiers who fight on foot, usually using weapons like swords or spears.

Define cavalry

Soldiers who fight while riding horses.

What was the First Punic War?

The first war between Rome and Carthage. It was mostly a sea battle, and Rome built a navy to defeat Carthage and take control of Sicily.

What was the Second Punic War?

The second war between Rome and Carthage. This is when Hannibal crossed the Alps with elephants and won big battles like Cannae, but Rome eventually won in the end.

What was the Third Punic War?

The final war between Rome and Carthage. Rome completely destroyed Carthage, ending the city forever.