The document summarizes the three Punic Wars between the Phoenician city-state of Carthage and the rising power of Rome between 264 BC to 146 BC. The first Punic War began as a local conflict in Sicily over trade in the Mediterranean and resulted in a Roman victory that gained them Sicily and payment from Carthage. The second Punic War saw Hannibal invade Italy from northern Africa through the Alps and ravage the Italian peninsula for 15 years before being defeated by Rome in North Africa. The third Punic War occurred 50 years later when Rome decided to destroy Carthage once and for all, burning the city and salting the fields.