How did the second punic war effect Romans?

Answer 1

A land based power, Rome had to develop a navy to match Carthage's.

Answer 2

It became the undisputed power in the western Mediterrnean.

It then invaded Macedonia to punish it for assisting Carthage in the war, and so became embroiled in the eastern Mediterranean, and its progressive subjugation and incorporation into the empire.

Answer 3

The Roman army went home, disbanded and, being mostly small farmers, went back to tilling their land, helped by a bit of loot which was their share of the spoils from the indemnity which Carthage had to pay as the price for peace.

Answer 4

The wars depleted the capacity of the small farmers to provide the army necessary for an expanding empire, and it became necessary to enlist non-landed Romans. These had to rely on their generals to get them land on demobilisation, and these clients of the generals empowered them to seek power, and led to the Civil Wars between the ambitious generals.

Answer 5

The Roman army had 50 percent more cavalry than the Carthaginians. The Romans also had Sicilian heavy cavalry as well as Numidian light cavalry, while the Carthaginians had Numidian light cavalry and Carthaginian inexperienced horsemen. The Carthaginians relied on their elephants for impact, and when their charge was negated by the Romans opening their ranks and letting them pass through, the numerical and qualitative advantage they had in cavalry gave them a strong manoeuvre advantage.

Answer 6

First of all there were three Punic Wars, not three 264-240 BC, 280-201 BC and 149-146 BC). The Roman army did not change during these wars. It changed later, in 107 BC, with the Marian reforms of the army.

Answer 7

It gave them control of the Western Mediterranean and its aftermath embroiled it in the eastern Greek politics and wars, leading to growing involvement in the eastern Mediterranean.