Punic Wars

The Romans

• Young Nation
• Based in Italy
• Belived in rapid expansion
• Militaristic views
• Excelent Footsoldiers
• Creative Generals

The Romans

The Carthaginians

• Trade Empire
• Based in Africa
• Excellent Seamen
• Strong Navy
• Established Nation
• Very Wealthy
• Disorganized Land Force
• Skilled Horsemen
• War Elephants
• Poor Leadership

The Carthaginians

Roman Innovation

• Rome got lucky and obtained a Carthaginian Quinquereme that drifted off and reproduced the design to fill their fleet.

• Roman shipbuilders added "The Corvus," a spiked bridge connecting to an enemy ship, allowing skilled foot soldiers to board and take out the ship.

• The Corvus was vitial in for Rome's navy at the beginning of the war.

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Outcome

• The Romans challenged the Carthaginians just south of Sicily.

• The Carthaginians tried to evade the new Roman Corvus by splitting up their forces into threes.

• However, once a Corvus connected with a ship, roman soldiers would run out and take the boat.

• With little seafaring experience, the Romans defeated the best navy in the world.

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Xanthippus

• The Carthaginians had a poorly run army of mercenaries from many other nations.

• Carthage had access to the best cavalrymen and war elephants, yet the Carthaginian generals did not use either to their advantage.

• The Carthaginians hired the Spartan general Xanthipuss to help command their armies to the best effect.

• With the Romans landing on African soil, the Battle of Tunis was Carthage's last stand, and they relied on Xanthippus to save them.

Xanthippus

Marcus Atilius Regulus

• Rome's leadership came from the Consuls, who were elected yearly. This led to the consuls trying to accomplish as much as possible.

• Regulus was the consul and saw the fighting in Sicily stalling. He was in charge of the armies that won the Battle of Cape Ecnomus. After this victory, Rome decided to go straight for the city of Carthage in Africa.

• Marcus sailed to the Bagradas River, set up his troops, and began occupying a city near present-day Tunisia.

• After this, Regulus was running out of time in office, so he told the Carthaginian leaders to surrender completly.

• In response, Carthage sent Xanthipuss and his armies to attack.

Outcome

• With Xanthipuss in charge of the armies, he put the elephants in the front and used the expert horse riders to flank the Romans.

• This shocked the Romans, and with no way to defeat the elephants were handily defeated.

• Around 500 Romans were captured, including Regulus.

• Xanthipuss was victorious, allowing Carthage to fight for another 14 years.

Roman Woes

• On their way back, the Roman fleet, with over 384 ships and over 100,000 men, was destroyed by a storm. It is thought that the Corvus is to blame for the disaster.

• After rebuilding the fleet, they took the city of Akragas. They attempted to sail to Africa but lost 150 more ships to a storm.

• After Rome built another fleet and had some success in Sicily, the Romans cornered the Carthaginians in the cities of Lilybaeum and Drepana. However, the cities were heavily fortified and constantly supplied by blockade runners.

• After a lengthy campaign, the Romans attempted to take the city by the sea, and mother nature destroyed another fleet.

• The Carthaginians were still cornered in the two cities.

Hamilcar Barca

• Hamilcar Barca was one of the greatest generals in the world at the time.

• Hamilcar was put in charge of the Carthaginian equivalent of Marines.

• He arrived in Sicily and used Gueurillia tactics to inflict heavy blows on the Roman forces.

• Hamilcar kept the Roman land forces pinned down through many battles.

Outcome

• Rome turned to its wealthiest citizens, people who were happy to pay large sums of money to keep their country.

• Rome was able to build a fleet of 200 ships with this new fleet, and a weak showing from Carthage. Rome was able to take Lilybaeum, effectively ending the war finally.

• Carthage sent a weak fleet to help continue the fighting, but Gaius Lutatius Catulus and Quintus Valerius Falto defeated it.

• The Carthaginian elites were unable to fund the 23-year-long war. Told Hamilicar to surrendure.

Aftermath

• Rome took major concessions from Carthage. Roman disdain with widespread throughout Carthage. Hamilcar even swore that Carthage would one day take Rome.

• Hamilcar returned to Carthage and gave birth to the future general of Carthage, Hannibal.

Aftermath