Why did the rome fight the punic wars?

Answer 1

Rome, as a minor power until the 3rd Century BCE, had been happy to have Carthage as an intermittent ally as it had a powerful war fleet, which Rome did not. This was particulalry so during the war with King Pyhrrus of Epirus when the latter invaded Italy and Sicily.

After Pyrhrrus had been seen off, it came back to the separate ambitions of both Rome and Carthage. Rome spread its influence through the Italian peninsula, and was invited by Greek cities in Sicily to help in resisting Carthaginian takeover of the island. Carthage also was extending its influence along the Spanish coast.

The first Punic (Carthagininian) War was fought between Rome and Carthage to resolve this competition. The second was an inevitable result of Rome's continued rise as a power and expansion along the western Mediterranean coast, resulting in first Hannibal's invasion of Italy and then Rome's counter-invasion of North Africa and the defeat of Carthage.

After that defeat, Rome imposed crippling financial payments on Carhtage, designed to keep it impotent for 50 years, as Carthage had relied on mercenary forces. Carthage was such a good trader that it paid off the debt within 10 years, so Rome encouraged its allied North African kings to attack Carthage, declared Carthage's defence against them as an attack on its allies, and destroyed the city to get rid of a dangerous competitor forever.

Answer 2

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Answer 3

Rome fought the Punic wars with Carthage for dominance of the Mediterranean. There was no room for two superpowers in the area. Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control the trade and the wealth that trade brought. They also wanted to control the lands and to establish colonies which would spread their influence.

Answer 4

To get dominance of Western Europe.