Punic Wars

Overview The Mediterranean Sea connected the Ancient world through conflict and trade. Carthage is located on the coast of northern Africa and was a major trading empire that included parts of northern Africa and southern Europe. By controlling trade in these region, Carthage became the largest and richest city in the western Mediterranean and were rivals with Rome.

800 BCE – Carthage is founded by the Phoenicians Carthage became center of a sea-trading empire In modern day Tunisia (too-NEE-z-ah) Was a city state of Phoenicians (first state level society to use an alphabet)

264 BCE – First Punic War begins Both Carthage and Rome want to control Sicily. Rome has a strong army, Carthage has a strong navy. Why would Sicily be important? Carthage – Syracuse Rome - Messina

264 BCE – First Punic War begins Rome builds a navy and wins Sicily Carthage leaves Sicily and has to pay a huge fine to Rome 264 – 240 ends with Rome in control of Sicily and Corsica Rome emerges as an empire with naval and land power

218 BCE – Second Punic War begins Carthage conquers part of Spain, so Rome helps people in Spain revolt To punish Rome, Carthage sends their greatest general, Hannibal to attack Rome Hannibal defeats Rome forces at the Battle of Cannae. 218 – 201 Started in Saguntum Spain (major trading port for ally Rome) Hannibal leaves some forces in Spain, sends the rest (and 37 war elephants) over the alps to attack Italian peninsula Hannibal uses guerilla tactics and fights up and down peninsula (never getting to Rome) Allies of Rome switch sides to join Hannibal Cannae (Ka-nye) – source of supply for rome

202 BCE – Rome brings war to Carthage Rome general Scipio Africanus invades Carthage At the Battle of Zama Scipio defeats Carthage. Carthage gives up Spain and Rome controls western Mediterranean.

146 BCE – Third Punic War begins Carthage is still prosperous and powerful because they limited their empire. Rome wants Carthage destroyed so tricked Carthage into breaking their treaty from 2nd Punic War Rome attacks Carthage, burns it to the ground, enslaves its people, and salts their fields Forced upon by Cato (Roman politician) Carthage had declared war on their neighbor Numidia

30 BCE – Rome completes conquest of the Mediterranean world Rome’s power has expanded to cover much of Europe, parts of Asia, and parts of North Africa

100 AD – Rome reaches its height Roman Empire spreads across Mediterranean and into Africa

476 AD – Roman Empire collapses Small states arise in parts of northern Africa

650 AD - Arab conquests bring Islam to North Africa The Christian Byzantine Empire continues