The Spread of Roman Republic: The Punic Wars

Ms. Carmelitano

Roman rulers sought to expand its territories

through trade and conquest Rome had a very large, very strong military

Service to the military required, and 10 years required to be eligible to be elected to office

Roman forces battled for control of the Italian

Peninsula 265 BCE – Romans had total control of the

Peninsula Romans had defeated the Etruscans in the

north and the Greek city-states in the south

Conquest

All areas were not treated equally

Neighboring Latins on the Tiber became full citizens

Territories farther away, enjoyed the same rights of Roman citizenship, but could not vote

All other groups outside of the Peninsula fell into the third category: Allies of Rome They could be independent, but had to supply

troops for the army and not make treaties with other states

Roman Laws

Roman merchants could trade by land and by

sea Ships sailed the Mediterranean

The Romans built extensive roads To move troops faster To make trade easier Created a unified culture among the very

diverse people in the republic Latin would be the dominant language

Roads and Trade

The Romans built massive aqueducts across

the republic This brought water into the interior of the

peninsula

Aqueducts

A Phoenician city located in Northern Africa

They also traded on the Mediterranean Sea Direct conflict with Rome

Carthage

264 BCE – 146 BCE Punic Wars

Punici: The Roman name for the Phoenicians First time Roman troops would fight outside of

Italy Would consist of three different wars

War with Carthage

Sicilians appealed to both Rome and Carthage

to aid them against their enemies Carthage hoped to protect their Sicilian Trade Rome did not want the Carthaginians troops that

close to their borders The two went to war with one another

The war lasted 23 years (264BCE-241BCE)

First Punic War

Carthage was the superior naval power

Rome put vast sums of money into building warships

Rome re-invents naval battles Stationed soldiers on ships Armed ships with hooks

Hooked enemy ships, pulled closer – boarded with soldiers

Naval warfare turned into mini-land battles Rome was victorious Set up their first province in Sicily

First Punic Wars

218 BCE – 201 BCE General Hannibal (29 years old)

50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry, 60 elephants Wanted to surprise the Romans by trekking

from Spain, Across France, and through the Alps Half his men and most of his elephants died Hannibal had a victory at Cannae in 216 BCE

It was the bloodiest Roman loss ever He was never able to captured Rome

Second Punic War

Romans General Scipio would turn the tides

He planned to attack Carthage, forcing Hannibal to return, and leave Italy

202 BCE at the battle of Zama, near Carthage, Romans defeated Hannibal Roman victors forced Carthage to destroy its

navy, pay war debts, and give up provinces in Spain

Second Punic War

149 BCE – 146 BCE Carthage declared war on another neighbor:

the Numidians An ally of Rome Cato, a Roman orator declared that Carthage

would be a threat as long as it stood Rome laid siege to the already weak Carthage Set fire and sold 50,000 Carthage residents

into slavery

Third Punic War

Rome dominated the Mediterranean By 70 BCE Rome’s empire stretched from

Anatolia to Spain

Outcome of Punic Wars