Download the punic wars

THE PUNIC WARS
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The Roman Republic’s first territorial
interest outside of Italy was in AfricaCarthage.
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It controlled Sicily (rich in wheat- could
provide Rome with grain)
Posed a threat to the trade along the west of
Italian Peninsula.
First War (264 BCE- 241 BCE)
Lasted 23 years
 Rome defeated Carthage after rebuilding
their navy.
 Carthaginians agree to pay Rome 3300
talents of silver and surrender Sicily.
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Second War (218 BCE- 202 BCE)
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Far more serious threat to
Rome.
Hamilcar Barca (General in
the first Punic War) had
conquered parts of Spain.
Hannibal, his son, pressed
even farther on the Spanish
coast. When Rome
demanded that Hannibal
surrender the city, he
refused.
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Hannibal invaded
through the North.
He organized a force of
40,000 infantry, 8,000
cavalry, and 60
elephants to transport
the military equipment
through the mountain
pass.
He lost half of his
infantry, ¼ of his
cavalry, and 40
elephants…
Hannibal still had
success defeating the
Romans three times
over the next year.
Before launching an attack on Rome,
Hannibal marched south for food and
supplies…this gave the Romans time to
recover from their losses.
 The Romans began to win other battles
elsewhere.
 Fearing an attack on his own land,
Hannibal decided to leave Italy in order to
defend Carthage.
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The Battle of Zama:
Rome defeated the
Carthaginians,
Hannibals only loss.
Carthage asked for
peace, and agreed to
pay 10,000 talents
of silver to Rome.
Hannibal fled into
exile and commited
suicide.
Third War (149 BCE- 146 BCE)

Carthage violated the peace treaty by rebuilding
her army.
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Rome decided that the city must be destroyed.
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The Romans plundered, burned and ploughed the
city under the ground, sowing the ground with salt
so that nothing would grow.
Any people they did not kill they sold into slavery.