The Punic Wars: The Role Of Slavery In Ancient Rome

In Rome’s earliest times, slave ownership was a luxury of the chief patricians. Some of these slaves were poverty-stricken citizens that sold themselves (or their family members) into slavery in order to payoff previous balances (Everitt, 2012); but, as a small supplier of slaves, debt-bondage (nexum) did not produce a large enough quantity of slaves to transform Rome’s economy or class structure. However, a single source of enslavement generated enough momentum to impact Rome's economic development and social stratification. Through conquests, Rome generated a mass influx of slaves by capturing and enslaving the people of the defeated opposing forces (McGeough, 2004). Thus, once established, slavery became a prominent force influencing Rome's cultural, financial, political, and social structures.
The First of the Contested Lands for Control of the Western Mediterranean
Between 264 B.C.E. and 146 B.C.E., Rome and Carthage fought in three costly battles known as the Punic Wars. Originally, Rome and Carthage were allies. It was not until the conflict between the Sicilian city, Syracuse, and the Mammertines that both Rome and Carthage
After the second war, Rome feared Carthage’s restoration. In fact, early historian Plutarch recorded this fear in his histories of prominent individuals know as Parallel Lives. One of the well-known individuals was Cato “the Elder” (Marcus Porcius Cato), a Roman senator during the Punic Wars. According to Plutarch, the Third Punic War was a result of his counsel and recommendation to destroy Carthage. Unlike the rest of the Romans, Cato “the Elder” was not at ease with the defeated Carthaginians, he perceived a danger in their recovering adversary with their strong men, weapons, and wealth (Plutarch). His concerns provoked a third war, which resulted in the destruction of Carthage and the enslavement of its people (Lewis,