The Influence Of The Punic Wars

The Carthaginians fought for their own preservation and the sovereignty of Africa,” (Ellis, 2010). In the three Punic Wars, Rome was able to illustrate their dominance in the Ancient World. The Punic Wars were a series three wars fought between Rome and Carthage. The Punic Wars were fought between 264 B.C. - 146 B.C. The First Punic War was fought for control over the islands of Corsica and Sicily. Because Rome annihilated Carthage, they were the most powerful empire in the ancient world, (“First Punic War”).
Romans really wanted control over the islands of Corsica and Sicily. In the very beginning of the First Punic War, Carthage was the dominant power over the Mediterranean Sea. This war was a largely naval battle. Carthage actually had a very strong naval power. However, Rome did not have as strong of a
Hannibal won battles in Trebia, Lake Trasimene and Cannae. “At the battle of Cannae, the Romans lost thousands of soldiers including their leader.” (cite) To gain allied support in the countryside around Cannae, Hannibal terrorized towns in Southern Italy. Hannibal later found himself fighting a new Roman General called Scipio that proved difficult, resulting in his calling for his brother Hasdrubal and his soldiers assistance. Hasdrubal was killed as he was headed to aid Hannibal. This occurred at the Battle of Metaurus and was the first clear Roman Victory of the Second Punic War.
The Roman General Scipio and his soldiers invaded North Africa. The general met up with and fought against Hannibal in Zama in 202 B.C. This marked the end of the Second Punic War. “Scipio’s stringent terms of surrender were to: hand over all warships and elephants, not make war without permission of Rome, pay Rome 10,000 talents over the next 50 years. The terms included an additional, difficult provision that should armed Carthaginians cross a border the Romans drew in the dirt, it automatically met war with Rome.”