Rome and Carthage fought each other three times in three Punic Wars. The causes of each war were different.
The First Punic War was precipitated by the Mamertines, southern Italian mercenaries who had seized the city of Messana, on Sicily's east coast and had been attacked by the Greek city of Syracuse, (also on the east coast) the most powerful city in the island. The Mamertines asked both Carthage (which had five ports on the western coast) and Rome for help. Carthage helped first, but established a garrison in the city. The Mamertines were not happy with this and asked Rome for help again. The Roman senate was reluctant to get involved., but the popular assembly voted for war. Rome evicted the Carthaginian garrison in Messana and besieged Syracuse, which became Rome's ally. At this point Carthage mobilised for war. Ancient historian Polybius said that there were concerns in Rome that Carthage's presence in Messana might lead to a clash with Syracuse. If Carthage defeated Syracuse she would take over the whole of Sicily. The Carthaginians, in their turn, were concerned about Rome's alliance with Syracuse.
Regarding the Second Punic War, Polybius said that Hannibal wanted this war in revenge for Rome fraudulently seizing Corsica and Sardinia from Carthage by taking advantage of a military rebellion in Carthage after the first war. Cities on the northern part of the coast of Spain allied with Rome for protection because they felt threatened by Carthaginian expansion along that coast. Rome negotiated a treaty that set the river Ebro as the boundary between the two areas. Hannibal broke the treaty by seizing a city just north of this river. Rome tried to negotiate, but these failed. Rome was forced to declare war. Hannibal had already made preparations for a military expedition to Italy and set off very quickly. Hannibal's provocation and the speed of his mobilisation indicate that he did want war.
In the Third Punic War Rome wanted to destroy Carthage because the latter had recovered in economic prosperity and because she raised an army to defend herself from territorial encroachments by her Numidian neighbours. Under the term of the peace treaty Carthage was not allowed to raise an army without Rome's permission. The war faction in Rome used this to push for a declaration of war. This faction did not want an economically and possibly militarily resurgent Carthage and wanted to eliminate this foe.
Rome and CarthageRome and Carthage
Rome.
Sparta was a city-state in Greece. It had nothing to do with Rome in Italy and Carthage in Tunisia.
The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.
The First Punic War arose from Rome's ambition to expand beyond the Italian peninsula into Sicily, where Carthage was trying to impose control. The two had been allies until this confrontation. Rome won the war and imposed heavy financial penalties on Carthage, and gained control of The Second Punic War arose from Carthages move to contol more territory in Spain, which clashed with Rome's attempts to expand its influence there. Carthage invaded Italy and put Rome on the defensive. It was eventually ended by Rome invading North Africa and captured Carthage. It imposed a heavy 50-year annual financial penalty designed to paralyse the city-state. However a resilient Carthage paid it off after 10 years, and so Rome looked to a permanent termination of Carthage's challenge, resulting in the Third Punic War and Carthage's elimination.
When Carthage and Rome were allies, Carthage was a sea power, Rome a land power. Rome had to organise a fleet when war broke out with Carthage.
The three Punic Wars went on over 120 years. Rome had many leaders over that period.
First Punic War - Rome defeated Carthage. Second Punic War - Rome defeated Carthage. Third Punic War - Rome defeated Carthage.
The Romans battled the Carthoginians in the Punic Wars. There were three, all of which Rome won.
Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.
Rome and Carthage fought in the Punic Wars, but Rome won the war.
Rome.
It was at war with Rome.
Rome and CarthageRome and Carthage
Rome and Carthage were fighting for dominance in the western Mediterranean.
Rome defeated Carthage and imposed a crippling indemnity on it.
Rome decided to destroy Carthage. She fought the Third Punic War for this purpose.