Carthage Rome's Relationship
The relationship between Rome and Carthage is significant in many ways. With exception to Italy, Carthage was the first foreign power that Rome came in contact with - which seems appropriate given the long and consequential relationship they had. Rome’s strengths were organization of its power, its citizens and its army, while Carthage had naval supremacy which awarded them a larger network of world relationships to trade and profit from. The stage was set for both Rome and Carthage to battle for control over all the territory that bordered the western Mediterranean Sea. Interestingly, I find that the strengths of Rome were cast more clearly against the backdrop of battles with Carthage because Carthage’s strengths were not as complex
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262, Rome found its army was superior to that of Carthage. They also, however, learned the power of the Carthage navy which had been undoing much of their gains along the way and making it difficult for Rome to transport troops into battle due to their dominance on the sea. This lesson led to the development of Rome’s own navy.
“The Romans knew that their soldiers were better than the Carthaginians in a hand-to-hand encounter. To maintain this advantage, they provided their ships with drawbridges which could be used in boarding the enemy’s vessels. Thus equipped with a fleet, Rome ventured upon the sea as a rival of the first naval power of the world.” (Morey) With the Roman’s newly developed navy fleet, in B.C. 260 they proved their worth by proactively engaging Carthage in the midst of their plundering in Sicily and sank or captured 50 of their vessels. Then again in B.C. 256 Romans took their growing fleet into Africa and won clear victory. In Sicily, B.C. 241, Rome learned a hard lesson. Victory over Carthaginians was not had with ease and instead numerous battles were waged with no gain. However, it was in Rome’s defeats that their true strength was shown. Citizen allegiance to their country was so strong that they were able to rebuild a navy fleet of 200 ships and ultimately win the first Punic
262, Rome found its army was superior to that of Carthage. They also, however, learned the power of the Carthage navy which had been undoing much of their gains along the way and making it difficult for Rome to transport troops into battle due to their dominance on the sea. This lesson led to the development of Rome’s own navy.
“The Romans knew that their soldiers were better than the Carthaginians in a hand-to-hand encounter. To maintain this advantage, they provided their ships with drawbridges which could be used in boarding the enemy’s vessels. Thus equipped with a fleet, Rome ventured upon the sea as a rival of the first naval power of the world.” (Morey) With the Roman’s newly developed navy fleet, in B.C. 260 they proved their worth by proactively engaging Carthage in the midst of their plundering in Sicily and sank or captured 50 of their vessels. Then again in B.C. 256 Romans took their growing fleet into Africa and won clear victory. In Sicily, B.C. 241, Rome learned a hard lesson. Victory over Carthaginians was not had with ease and instead numerous battles were waged with no gain. However, it was in Rome’s defeats that their true strength was shown. Citizen allegiance to their country was so strong that they were able to rebuild a navy fleet of 200 ships and ultimately win the first Punic