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Frequent conflicts with neighboring peoples required the Romans to become skilled warriors.

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All male citizens between the ages of 17 and 46 could be called into the army. As Rome began to take over other lands, the army and its commanders became important.

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As Rome conquered, it grew larger and stronger. Soon other nations feared Roman expansion.

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Rome’s greatest enemy was Carthage, a city-state founded by the Phoenicians in North Africa. Rome and Carthage competed with each other to control trade in the western Mediterranean Sea.

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Three destructive wars were fought between Rome and Carthage between 264 and 146 B.C.

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The third and last war ended when the Romans conquered and destroyed Carthage. The Roman Empire had begun.

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Winning the Punic Wars gave Rome control of the coast of North Africa and the areas known as Spain, Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. Eventually, the Roman Empire would cover three continents.

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By 64 B.C., Rome had conquered almost all the lands around the Mediterranean Sea.

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In the 50s B.C., the Romans began campaigns to conquer the peoples north of Italy. From 58 to 51 B.C., the armies of Julius Caesar invaded Gaul (present-day France).

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But as Rome conquered lands, generals became more powerful. Eventually, a general tried to become dictator. Of course, Julius Caesar was murdered.

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But change had come. Augustus Caesar became emperor in 27 B.C. While the republic died, a period of peace began in the Roman Empire known as the Pax Romana.