Punic Wars
World History I
Do-Now
AGENDA 2/12
Please explain the basic
structures of the Roman
Republican government- the
Senate, the Assemblies, and
the Consuls. Use at least
three complete sentences.
1.
2.
3.
Complete do-now
Punic Wars Notes
Punic Wars Timeline
Write the information in italics! You
should still abbreviate or use
shorthand, and you don’t have to write
every word.
Background
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Relationship between Rome and Carthage
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Located across the Mediterranean from one another
Had been friendly, but Rome began to expand and become
more powerful
Rome began to set its sights on Sicily, south of the Italian
Peninsula
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This upset Carthage, who held Sicily at that time.
Rome= RED
Carthage= BLUE
First Punic War (264-241 BCE)
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Why did it happen?
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What happened?
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Rome and Carthage were vying (competing) for control of
Sicily
At first, Carthage was winning the battles because they had a
much better navy
Rome rebuilt its navy based off of the Carthaginian model to
beat them at their own game
In 241 BCE, after years of losing to Carthage, Rome finally
won a decisive naval battle.
What was the outcome?


Rome won the final naval battle AND the first Punic War
Rome got Sicily, which was its first overseas province
Carthaginian Ship
Aftermath of First Punic War

Carthage’s Expansion
 Rome took the islands of Corsica and Sardinia
 Carthage established influence in Spain
(Hispania)
 Leaders: Hamilcar Barca and Hasdrubal
 Hannibal (Hamilcar’s younger son) swore
blood oath to destroy Rome
Second Punic War (218-201 BCE)

Invasion

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Hannibal led Carthaginian forces from Spain across the Alps into
the Italian Peninsula
Took as many as 90,000 infantry, 12,000 cavalry and several
elephants
Events of the Second Punic War

Early Success
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Hannibal won many early battles
Cannae- 216 BCE- won a smashing victory against the Romans
Rome Rebounds

Attacked in Spain and Northern Africa- won battles there
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General Scipio Africanus
Outcome of Second Punic War
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Zama- 202 BCE
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Scipio defeats Hannibal in N. Africa
Rome takes control of Spain
Ramifications
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Carthage no longer had holdings in
Western Med. Sea
Carthage gave up its fleet and paid Rome fine
in silver
Third Punic War (149-146 BCE)
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Controversial!
Hawks (word for people in favor of war) in Roman
Senate wanted to crush the weakened Carthaginian
state
Not everyone in Senate wanted to go to war
Declared war in 149 BCE
Events of Third Punic War

Siege of Carthage
 Romans sieged Carthage for two years
 Scipio Aemilianus (Scipio the Younger) took
control of army
 Attacked viciously for seven days
 Carthage surrendered
 Romans destroyed Carthage
Outcomes of Third Punic War

Carthage’s Consequences
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50,000 Carthaginians sold into slavery
Carthage no longer existed as an independent government
Rome takes advantage of the advantage and expands

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Invades Greece
Defeats Philip V of Macedonia
Rome’s land holdings stretch from the
Atlantic to Asia Minor.
Domination of the Mediterranean Sea
begins.
BEFORE
AFTER
Timeline

Using the information I’ve provided, create a timeline of
the Punic Wars including at least seven dates and the
events that occurred.