Rome empire

Rome and the Punic Wars

By sethgrip
  • Period: 509 BCE to 264 BCE

    Conquest of Italy

    Rome felt threatened by enemies from every direction, and in meeting these threats embarked on a course of military expansion. They faced the Estruscans to the north, and the Sabines, Volscians and Aequi to the east and south. Alongside these opponents, the Romans faced Greek communities founded in southern Italy. By 264 B.C.E, the Romans had conquered all of Italy.
  • 264 BCE

    Rome Meets Carthage

    Rome Meets Carthage
    After their conquest of the Italian peninsula, the Romans found themselves face to face with the Mediterranean power, Carthage.
  • Period: 264 BCE to 241 BCE

    The First Punic War

    The struggle began when the Romans decided to intervene in a struggle between two Sicilian Cities and sent an army tp Carthage owned, Sicily. This sparked the conquest of Sicily, and after 23 years of fighting, the Romans defeated the Carthaginians. Through this victory, the Romans laid control to all of Sicily, as well as, the islands of Sardinia and Corsica.
  • 218 BCE

    Crossing the Alps

    Crossing the Alps
    In 218, Hannibal crossed the Alps into mainland Italy, with 40,000 soldiers, 6,000 horses and war elephants.
  • Period: 218 BCE to 201 BCE

    The Second Punic War

    The Second Punic War began in 218 BCE, when Rome provoked Hannibal to attack the city of Saguntum.
  • 216 BCE

    Battle of Cannae

    Battle of Cannae
    The Romans decided to meet Hannibal in a head on battle at the battle of Cannae. Although the treacherous march through the Alps took a toll on the Carthaginian forces, Hannibal was able to add thousands Gauls to his ranks. In this battle, Hannibal's forces devastated a Roman army, killing as many as 40,000 soldiers.
  • 206 BCE

    Rome's Response to Hannibal

    Although losing a decisive battle at Cannae, Rome was able to bounce back and reconquered rebellious Italian cities that joined Hannibal's ranks. Furthermore, the Romans gave General Scipio Africanus full control of the Roman forces in Spain. By 206 BCE, Scipio pushed Carthage out of Spain.
  • 202 BCE

    The Battle of Zama

    The Battle of Zama
    Following Rome's conquest of Spain, they continued towards Carthage. Scipio led an army from Sicily into North Africa and forced Hannibal to return from Italy. At the Battle of Zama in 202 B.C.E., Scipio defeated Hannibal and the Second Punic War was over.
  • 201 BCE

    Roman and Carthaginian Peace treaty

    Following the end of Rome's war with Carthage, Hannibal fled and ultimately committed suicide. The peace treaty was signed in 201 by Carthaginians and Romans, Carthage lost Spain, and promised not to go to war without Rome's permission.
  • Period: 149 BCE to 146 BCE

    Third Punic War

    Carthage eventually broke their peace treaty with Rome by going to war against one of Rome's African allies.
  • 146 BCE

    Destruction of Carthage

    Destruction of Carthage
    Led by Scipio Aemilianus Africanus the Younger, Roman forces undertook their third and last war with Carthage. In 146, Rome sacked the city of Carthage, and marked the end of a once great empire.