Download NOTES on PYRRHUS and PUNIC WARS

NOTES on PYRRHUS and PUNIC WARS
Geography:
 Italy is a peninsula, meaning that it is surrounded on three sides by water. To the
north, the only side attached to the European continent, lie the Alps. Thus, an
invading army must either come by water, and therefore be reliant on ships and
water-based supply routes, or come by land over the Alps, which is nearly
impossible. This means that the Italian peninsula is well-protected.
 Rome itself is also strategically well-located. Not too near the ocean, therefore
not easily vulnerable to an attack by sea.
 The Tiber River flows through Rome, giving Rome water and access to the sea
for trade.
 The city is set on seven hills surrounding a marshy valley. The hills, combined
with walls, make the city easily defended.
Rome is now a republic. As it starts to gain more power, it also starts to gain more
enemies.
279 B.C.: PYRRHIC VICTORY
 Pyrrhus was King of Epirus, a Greek kingdom that splintered off from
Alexander’s empire.
 Rome went to war with Taranto, a Greek city in Southern Italy in 280 BC
 Taranto appealed to Epirus for help against Rome. Pyrrhus was a renowned
mercenary, and brought an army (including elephants) into Italy.
 He defeated the Romans twice, the second time in 279 BC, but the battle caused
such heavy losses that he had to retreat.
 Thus, a “pyrrhic victory” now means a victory gained at too great a cost.
 Taranto and the rest of the Greek cities in Italy came under Roman control.
PUNIC WARS (See Chart)
Discuss First Punic War (use chart)
Read “Peace Treaty with Carthage” by Polybius (classroom packet)
 Polybius was a Roman historian. Wrote Histories
Read “Second Punic War—Hannibal’s Oath” by Livy
 Livy was another historian who wrote “History of Rome”
Discuss Second Punic War
Read “Hannibal” by Livy
Discuss Third Punic War
Read “Appian’s History of Rome” regarding the destruction of Carthage