Between 264 and 146 BC BC there were three great wars between Carthage and Rome. Why did the two powers keep fighting each other and what does Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps have to do with it?
Punic wars simply explained
the Punic Wars were a series of three wars between the Romans and the trading power Carthage in the Mediterranean. They occurred between 264 B.C. and 146 B.C. Chr.
The Carthaginians were called Punic by the Romans (Puni/poeni) denotes what differs from the Phoenician term «ponim» can be derived, which means something like «dwellers of the low lands» – so the name of the wars came about.
In ancient times, Carthage was a metropolis in northern Africa, near present-day Tunis in Tunisia. As the center and capital of the trading and maritime power of the same name, it played an important role in the ancient world.
Punic Wars Summary / Punic Wars Dates
If you would like to find out more about the course of the Punic Wars before you learn all the details, then read the following brief summary of the most important events and dates.
First Punic War
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Of the First Punic War happened from 264 BC to 241 BC Chr. between Carthage and Rome – it took place mainly in Sicily and the Mediterranean.
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Rome was called to the aid of the Mamertines, who were besieged by Carthage. Thus war broke out between the two powers.
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Although Rome suffered some defeats, it won important battles and defeated Carthage.
Second Punic War
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Of the Second Punic War found in between 218 BC and 202 BC. Chr. took place and was through Hannibal Barkas crossing the Ebro river – this represented a breach of contract for Rome.
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Hannibal crossed the Alps with his army and allied himself with the northern Italian Celts. Rome experienced its greatest defeat to date against Hannibal, but was able to win in the end under the command of Scipio.
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Carthage was now no longer allowed to act outside its own city limits without Rome’s consent, had to pay even higher compensation than in the First Punic War and had to reduce its armament enormously.
Third Punic War
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Of the Third Punic War lasted from 149 BC to 146 BC Chr.
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Carthage went to war against Massinissa, breaking the treaty since Rome had not allowed the war.
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Rome besieged Carthage, destroyed it and sold its inhabitants into slavery.
First Punic War (264–241 BC)
The First Punic War (lat.: Bellum Punicum primum) represents the first of total of three Punic Wars From 264 to 241 B.C. BC Rome was at war with Carthage. Until then it was the longest war that the city of Rome had ever waged. Nevertheless, the war helped to consolidate Rome’s position as a major power in the Mediterranean region.
If you would like to learn more about Carthage, then read the explanation of the same name.
How did the First Punic War come about?
In the south East Sicily lies the city of Syracuse. When their ruler, Agathocles, 289 BC. died, his mercenaries plundered across the Italian peninsula and established in Messana (today Messina) their reign. They called themselves»Mamertine«, which means something like «Sons of Mars». Hieron II became the new ruler of Syracuse and fought the Mamertines vehemently. When he besieged Messana, the Mamertines asked Carthage for help.
In Roman mythology, Mars was considered the god of war.
A mercenary is a soldier who is recruited for a fee (sold) and usually for a limited period of time. He does not go to war primarily out of loyalty to his country, but because of the money.
Carthage responded to the Mamertines’ call for help and sent a garrison to Sicily. However, the Mamertines expelled them again, whereupon the Carthaginians also besieged the city. Now cornered by two factions, the former mercenaries turned to Agathocles Rome and hoped for his help.
Rome was initially unsure whether to intervene. Of the senate true against itbut left the final decision to the popular assembly – This hoped for a large booty and spoke out in favor of the project. The Romans managed to defeat Hiero II and to make peace with the ruler of the Mamertines. However, a major conflict developed with Carthage.
Figure 1: A 19th century interpretation of an ancient naval battle. Source: welt.de, picture-alliance/akg-images
The victory over Carthage
Carthage was considered particularly strong sea power. This was a challenge for Rome, as it had previously only fought wars on land. So it had to be one quickly fleet build to take on the Carthaginians. But even they had to put in a lot of effort in the war: In order not to be defeated by the Romans in the battles on land in Sicily, Carthage had to high number of mercenaries recruit and feed.
Despite all that, he succeeded Roman fleet 260 BC a naval victory over the Carthaginians on the northeast coast of Sicily. The victory strengthened the Romans, who then in 256 BC. on their way to crossing to North Africa. There they suffered in Tynes 255 BC a heavy defeat. The Roman fleet evacuated the survivors, but most of the ships sank on the return journey in a heavy storm. More losses followed on the Roman side, which meant that shipbuilding was stopped by the state.
242 BC Chr. however, became one privately funded fleet built. she was with volunteers manned. To the Roman consul and general Gaius Lutatius Catulus succeeded 241 BC Chr. with this same fleet of decisive naval victory at the Aegean Islands. During the heaviest sea, he attacked a Carthaginian supply convoy. Carthage then asked Rome to close one peace treaty. As a consequence, Carthage not only had to evacuate Sicily, but also had to pay large compensations to Rome.
Second Punic War (218–202 BC)
You’ve probably already heard the name Hannibal heard and of how he crossed the Alps with elephants Has. In fact, this story is part of the Second Punic Warthe of 218 to 202 BC Chr. lasted.
How did the Second Punic War come about?
The new conflict between the Roman and Carthaginian empires started rolling als Hamilkar Barkas, father of Hannibal as well as an important Carthaginian statesman and general, tried to acquire possessions for Carthage in Spain – with diplomatic, but also military means. When Hamilcar died, his brother-in-law continued Hasdrubal continue the project. Massilia (now Marseille) felt threatened by the approaching Hasdrubal and asked Rome for help.
An agreement was then reached between the Romans and Hasdrubal that the Ebro, a river in northern Spain that the Carthaginians were forbidden to cross. The Romans also wanted to prevent Carthage from meeting the Celts in northern Italy and forming an alliance with them against Rome.
221 BC Chr. However, Hasdrubal died and neither his nephew Hannibal nor the city of Carthage saw themselves bound by the agreement he had made with Rome. So it came about that Hannibal 218 BC crossed the Ebro Rome then declared war on Carthage.
Figure 2: Hannibal’s route in the Second Punic War
Punic Wars of Hannibal
It succeeded Hannibal, with his army and elephants to cross the Alps. And the Roman fear that Carthage would deal with the Celts of northern Italy could ally actually came true. Set to one war on two fronts Rome sent an army into Spain while confronting Hannibal in Italy.
The Roman military had to several heavy defeats plug into Italy against Hannibal. In the Battle of Cannae in Apulia recorded it 216 BC Chr. the heaviest losses. There the Roman army was surrounded and destroyed by the Carthaginian. In Spain, too, things looked bad for Rome for the time being.
Then Rome succeeded under the Guided by Fr. Cornelius Scipio, drive out the Carthaginians in Spain. 202 BC Chr. Roman troops crossed to Africa. There they succeeded in the Svictory slaughters at Zama Hannibal.
Consequences of the Second Punic War
201 BC Chr. was a new peace treaty negotiated, which obliged Carthage to pay even higher compensation than in the previous war. In addition, it had to severely limit its armor and was no longer allowed outside its own city limits without it Roman approval act. The Carthaginians were left with only theirs possessions in Africa.
Due to his success, Scipio received the Nickname Africanus.
Figure 3: Bust of Scipio Africanus. Source: Sergey Sosnovskiy, ancientrome.ru
Third Punic War (149–146 BC)
The Third Punic War represents the final conflict between Rome and Carthage. It lasted from 149 to 146 BC Chr. and ended badly for the city of Carthage.
How did the Third Punic War come about?
the in Peace treaty of 201 BC Chr. established regulations ensured again and again clashes between Carthage and the Roman great power. 151/150 BC Chr. but then it came to one breach of contract of the peace treaty that Rome used as a reason for war (Latin: case belli) looked:
War had broken out between Carthage and Massinissa, a Numidian king. However, Carthage was not permitted to wage war without Roman consent. That’s how it was in the year 150 BC Chr. in the Roman Senate Destruction of the city of Carthage decided.
Besides, I think Carthage must be destroyed.– Marcus Porcius Cato Censorius
The Roman general and historian Marcus Porcius Cato Censorius (also Cato the Elder) proposed the destruction of Carthage in every Senate session before the outbreak of the Third Punic War.
He should each of his speechesno matter what it was originally about, with the sentence «Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam» («By the way, I think Carthage must be destroyed»).
In the year 149 BC Chr. then made one roman war fleet on the way to Carthage. The Carthaginians tried desperately to prevent an altercation and complied with all Roman demands. However, when Rome demanded that the residents of Carthage abandon and destroy their city, they decided to resist.
The Siege and Destruction of Carthage
The fighting between the two powers began in the same year – 149 BC. At the beginning, Rome suffered defeats in several battles and did not succeed in enclosing Carthage. Only when P. Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus Africanus (Scipio the Younger), who died in 147 BC. to consul was elected, given command, it came to a turning point for the Romans.
It can be confusing that it’s in the second and third Punic War gave a Scipio Africanus. In fact, it is not the same person. To avoid confusion, Scipio from the Third Punic War is also called «Scipio the Younger» or «the younger…