The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264BC to 146BC. In the First Punic War, Rome fought Carthage for control of Sicily and other Mediterranean islands, eventually defeating Carthage at sea in 241BC. The Second Punic War saw the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal march across Spain and the Alps to invade Italy, fighting Rome for 15 years until being recalled to defend Carthage and being defeated by Scipio in 202BC. The Third Punic War resulted in Rome destroying the city of Carthage entirely in 146BC, expanding Rome's control of the Mediterranean world.

1. The Punic Wars
264BC – 146BC

2. Conquering Italy
• 509BC – 264BC: Roman army
conquers Italian peninsula,
including Etruscans
• 387 BC: Gauls take over Rome
and finally leave when Rome
pays them a lot of money
• Other empires tried to attack
Rome but Rome defeated them
and took their land
• Army was successful because of
organization (legions and
centuries)

4. The First Punic War
• Punic Wars: series of wars between Rome and
Carthage, a city in northern Africa
• Punic: Latin for Phoenician
• Rome wanted Spain and Sicily which were
controlled by Carthage
• Carthage sent army to defend Sicily, Rome sent
army too
• Fought mostly at sea
• 241BC: Last major battle, Rome took Sicily and
other islands in victory

5. • 218BC: Hannibal led the Carthaginians to attack
Rome
• Marched his army across Spain and through the
Alps to Rome
• Troops rode elephants, braved snowstorms and
landslides, and survived attacks
• Over half the army and most of the
elephants were killed in the Alps
• Hannibal’s army fought Rome for
15 years!
The Second Punic War

7. The Second Punic War
• 202BC: Hannibal returned home to defend
Carthage against the Roman army, led by
Scipio
• Scipio defeats Hannibal at the Battle of Zama
• Hannibal goes into exile
• Carthage had to give up Spain and a huge
amount of money
• Led to a period of peace that lasted 50 years

8. The Third Punic War
• 140s BC: Roman senator Cato demanded
the destruction of Carthage because they
were becoming too powerful
• 146BC: Romans burn the city of Carthage to
the ground and salt the land
• Romans killed many of the Carthaginians
and enslaved 50,000
• Rome now controlled North Africa, Spain,
Sicily, Macedonia, Greece and Italy.
• Lasted only 3 years

9. The Aftermath
• Rome expanded its power and territory,
gained riches and slaves
• Families mourned the death of fallen soldiers
• Hannibal had burned many Roman farms, so
many people lost their living and moved to
Rome
• These farms were replaced by imports and
large estates run by the Patricians and worked
by slaves