Download Wars against the Puns: The Punic Wars

Wars against the Puns: The Punic Wars
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
1.
Explain why Rome’s wars with Carthage were called the Punic Wars.
2. What was Carthage’s greatest military strength & how did the Romans offset it?
3. What was the outcome of the 1st Punic War & in what ways did it change Rome?
4. What was the cause of the 2nd Punic War?
5. What were some of the difficulties Hannibal & his cavalry encountered?
6. What was the result of the Battle of Cannae? The Battle of Zama?
7. After the 2nd Punic War, what role did the Roman senate play in the Roman army’s actions?
8. As a result of the 3rd Punic War, Rome tore Carthage to the ground, enslaved its people and salted its fields.
What was the purpose of salting its fields?
9. Do you feel Rome was justified in the above actions? Why or why not?
10. In a side note, the author describes a story involving the Greek Archimedes & his encounter with the
Romans. What is the lesson that can be learned from this story?