Rome and Carthage competed for influence in the Mediterranean, leading to three Punic Wars between the two powers. The First Punic War began as a local conflict in Sicily but resulted in Rome gaining control over Sicily and extracting money from Carthage. Hannibal later invaded Italy by crossing the Alps during the Second Punic War, defeating Roman armies at Cannae, but was unable to take Rome. Rome ultimately defeated Carthage at Zama. Nearly 50 years later, the Third Punic War ended with Rome destroying Carthage to eliminate it as a rival in the Mediterranean.

1. Introduction to Ancient Rome

6. Two Big Boys on the Block
• Carthage – Former Phoenician City State
• Rome – Still small in size and influence
• Both Compete for trade in the
Mediterranean.

8. 1 Punic War
st
• Began as a local conflict in Sicily, in which
the Carthaginians and the Romans were
drawn in
• Mostly fought at sea and northern Africa
• Rome wins, gains Sicily and large sum of
money from Carthage.
• Rome becomes most powerful entity in the
Central Mediterrean.

9. 2 Punic War
nd
• Carthage began to claim more land in
Iberia (Spain)
• Conflict over Saguntum – Seeks Roman
help, Rome Ignore, Hannible Conquers.
• Invades Rome from the North

10. Invasion into Rome

11. 2 Punic War, Continued
nd
• Hannibal moves entire Army, including
War Elephants, through the Alps.
• Defeats larger Roman Army at Cannae.
• Ravages Italian peninsula for 15 years,
but does not have the manpower to lay
Siege.
• War ends when Rome sends army to
attack Carthage, where the Hannibal and
Carthaginian army are defeated at Zama.

12. 3 Punic War
rd
• 50 years later, Carthage begins to expand
again.
• Rome decides to end Carthage once and
for all.
• Burn the city and salts the fields.
• The End…Sweeney