What Is The Relationship Between Carthage And Rome
Carthage vs. Rome
History 1421: Greek and Roman Civilization
University of the People
May 2017
Abstract: With the conquest ended in Italy, Rome encountered an international maritime power of Carthage, which was a leading power in the western Mediterranean whose base was in northern Africa. Eventually, these two powers would clash in what is known as the Punic wars. In this paper, we trace their rivalries, wars and ultimate dominance of one over the other.
According to Morey W.C, Rome and Carthage emerged as competing for naval and economic powers on opposite sides of the Mediterranean Sea fighting each other for over a 100 years in the Punic battles, which were to ‘decide the fate of Rome …show more content…
Under Hannibal, Carthage acquired new territories in a desperate contest with Rome for economic and naval expansion because, like Rome, Carthage was a center of commerce and a maritime power in the North of Africa. By the battle of the first Punic War, Carthage had established an empire that extended across North Africa and into the southern coast of Spain. The Carthaginian merchant sailors traded throughout the Mediterranean Sea hence the need to protect this profitable trade by establishing a powerful navy. So when the conflict in Sicily (an island controlled by Carthage) arose drawing the Romans in, clashes between Carthage and Rome were inevitable and that was the beginning of the Punic wars which today would be equivalents of world wars. Roman economy largely depended on the spoils from plunder by their army hence it needed to keep the soldiers pre-occupied with war to enlarge its territory and ultimately the resources. Rome had a powerful army but had no experience with the sea. In fighting the Carthaginians in Sicily, it developed an innovative technique to win the naval battles fought on the sea by outfitting their vessels with hinged bridges …show more content…
Scipio led a home invasion of Carthage at their home territory in North Africa whilst Hannibal was away in Italy. He was recalled but he fought at a disadvantage with most of his experienced army away. He was defeated at the battle of Zama. Meanwhile in Italy without Hannibal in charge, the war on the Italian peninsula turned in Rome’s favor and his army was defeated. Carthage lost most of its territory and with their capital in North Africa plundered by the Romans, the war was ended. Rome annexed Carthage making it a roman city-state. Thus the Punic wars established Rome as a super powered empire in the
History 1421: Greek and Roman Civilization
University of the People
May 2017
Abstract: With the conquest ended in Italy, Rome encountered an international maritime power of Carthage, which was a leading power in the western Mediterranean whose base was in northern Africa. Eventually, these two powers would clash in what is known as the Punic wars. In this paper, we trace their rivalries, wars and ultimate dominance of one over the other.
According to Morey W.C, Rome and Carthage emerged as competing for naval and economic powers on opposite sides of the Mediterranean Sea fighting each other for over a 100 years in the Punic battles, which were to ‘decide the fate of Rome …show more content…
Under Hannibal, Carthage acquired new territories in a desperate contest with Rome for economic and naval expansion because, like Rome, Carthage was a center of commerce and a maritime power in the North of Africa. By the battle of the first Punic War, Carthage had established an empire that extended across North Africa and into the southern coast of Spain. The Carthaginian merchant sailors traded throughout the Mediterranean Sea hence the need to protect this profitable trade by establishing a powerful navy. So when the conflict in Sicily (an island controlled by Carthage) arose drawing the Romans in, clashes between Carthage and Rome were inevitable and that was the beginning of the Punic wars which today would be equivalents of world wars. Roman economy largely depended on the spoils from plunder by their army hence it needed to keep the soldiers pre-occupied with war to enlarge its territory and ultimately the resources. Rome had a powerful army but had no experience with the sea. In fighting the Carthaginians in Sicily, it developed an innovative technique to win the naval battles fought on the sea by outfitting their vessels with hinged bridges …show more content…
Scipio led a home invasion of Carthage at their home territory in North Africa whilst Hannibal was away in Italy. He was recalled but he fought at a disadvantage with most of his experienced army away. He was defeated at the battle of Zama. Meanwhile in Italy without Hannibal in charge, the war on the Italian peninsula turned in Rome’s favor and his army was defeated. Carthage lost most of its territory and with their capital in North Africa plundered by the Romans, the war was ended. Rome annexed Carthage making it a roman city-state. Thus the Punic wars established Rome as a super powered empire in the