2.  All Roman men 17-46 with property were required to serve in the army during war Legions-- A Roman legion was an infantry unit consisting of heavily armed soldiers, equipped with shields, armor, helmets, spears and swords. Centurions--A group of Roman soldiers fight for their lives behind enemy lines after their legion is decimated in a devastating attack. Century of 100 men

3.  After Rome had taken over all of Italy, it looked to Sicily-  A large island to the south of the peninsula  Allies in Sicily were in conflict with Carthage – a trading city in Northern Africa  Rome came to its allies aid, which put them in conflict with Carthage  Grew into a series of 3 wars: “Punic Wars”  These wars continued on for 80 years.

4.  264 BCE  Fought mostly at sea  Carthage’s powerful army dominated  Rome built a navy too  Defeated Carthage!  Relations between Rome and Carthage were strained after the First Punic War and violence soon broke out again.

5.  218 BCE  Carthaginian general Hannibal led a well trained army towards Rome  ON ELEPHANTS! Across the Pyrenees and the Alps  In a single battle they killed/wounded 50,000 Romans  Romans retaliate by attacking Carthage itself  Forces Hannibal to go back  General Scipio (SIP-ee-oh) beat Hannibal there, and took the city – took away navy and lands. The Romans DID NOT destroy the city, as many citizens had wanted.

6.  149 BCE  Rome decided to destroy its old enemy once and for all  Three year siege on Carthage  Romans enslave the entire population and completely destroy the city  Banned people for living in the area