Transcript WHI: SOL 6d

WHI: SOL 6d
Punic Wars
Punic Wars
• Rome vs. Carthage (264–146 B.C. [B.C.E.])
• Rome and Carthage were in competition for
trade.
• Hannibal invaded the Italian Peninsula.
• Three wars resulted in Roman victory, the
destruction of Carthage, and expanded trade
and wealth for Rome.
1st Punic War
• Carthage was south of Rome, in northern
Africa
• Settled by Phoenicians and North Africans
• Conflict arose over competition for trade
• Punicius means Phoenician in Latin
• Rome defeated Carthage and won control of
Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia
2nd Punic War
• 218 b.c. Hannibal led his troops, including war
elephants, across the Pyrenees, through France,
and over the Alps into Italy
• Hannibal lost 1/3 of his army
• Surprised the Romans (were expecting an attack
from the south)
• For 15 years, Hannibal moved across Italy,
winning battle after battle (did not capture
Rome)
• Finally, Hannibal returned to defend his
homeland and was defeated
3rd Punic War
• Rome wanted revenge for the destruction
caused by Hannibal
• Senator Cato ended every speech with
“Carthage must be destroyed”
• Rome completely destroyed Carthage
• Survivors were killed or sold into slavery
• Poured salt over the Earth so that nothing would
grow there again
• Rome took control of the Mediterranean
• Why was Rome able to conquer Carthage and
then go on to extend its influence across the
entire Mediterranean basin and much of
Western Europe?
Evolution of the Roman Empire and
spread of Roman culture
• Mediterranean basin (Africa, Asia, Europe,
including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern
Mediterranean)
• Western Europe (Gaul, British Isles)
• Following its victory over Carthage in the
Punic Wars, Rome dominated the
Mediterranean basin for 100 years. This led to
the diffusion of Roman culture throughout the
area.