ROME Part I: The Punic Wars

The Punic Wars: BCE “A lengthy and savage conflict fought between Rome and Carthage for dominance of the entire Mediterranean Basin.” The longest running conflict in Ancient World Established Rome as dominant power of Mediterranean

Key Carthaginians Hamilcar Barca led forces in Sicily during 1 st Punic War Conquered Spain

Key Carthaginians HANNIBAL BARCA son of Hamilcar, invaded Italy in 2 nd Punic War Crossed Alps into Italy Annihilated Romans at Cannae

KEY ROMANS QUINTUS FABIUS – Respected enemy – Used “small war” tactics to harass enemy – Bought time for Rome – Romans ripped his “inglorious” tactics Fabian Strategy: wear down enemy by avoiding major confrontations

KEY ROMANS Tarentius Varro – Hothead whose leadership led to annihilation of Romans at Cannae

KEY ROMANS SCIPIO AFRICANUS – Conquered Spain from Carthage – defeated Hannibal at Zama in 2 nd Punic War CATO Roman senator obsessed w/ destroying Carthage in 3 rd Punic War

1 st Punic War: BCE Carthage fights Rome for control of Sicily – Considered “jewel of Mediterranean” due to strategic location Rome builds fleet to defeat Carthage – Used “corvus” to fight land battles at sea – Wooden bridge with iron spike Rome gains Sicily, Carthage turns to conquer Spain

2 nd Punic War: BCE Carthage conquers Spain – Rome threatened Hannibal goes on offensive – crosses Alps Rome refuses surrender Scipio invades N. Africa – Hannibal recalled – Defeated by Scipio at Zama

Hannibal Crosses the Alps Goal: invade Italian peninsula and destroy Rome’s alliances Crossed Arno River in Gaul Left Spain, went through Gaul Beat two Roman armies after crossing Alps

Battle of Cannae 216 BCE Hannibal’s most famous victory Hannibal’s army outnumbered 2 to 1 – Faced 85,000 Romans led by hot head Terentius Varro Hannibal arranged forces in convex half-circle Romans charged middle in giant block Carthaginians enveloped Romans and slaughtered 70,000

Battle of Zama 202 BCE Scipio invades N. Africa Hannibal recalled to defend Carthage Roman’s outnumbered by 10,000 men Hannibal had 80 war elephants Romans formed corridors and killed elephants when they ran through As Carthaginians pushed forward, Roman Numidi an cavalry charged from behind

3 rd Punic War: BCE Rome finds excuse to destroy Carthage Besiege city for 3 years Break through in 146 BCE – 6 days of urban fighting – Romans level houses to reach citadel – 50,000 surrender and enslaved – 900 Roman deserters fought until death Carthage razed to the ground