The Punic WarsThe Punic Wars

Instructor PacasInstructor Pacas

In the western Mediterranean world the In the western Mediterranean world the three powers of contention were the three powers of contention were the Carthaginians, Rome and Greeks Carthaginians, Rome and Greeks particularly Pyrrhus of Epirus. In the particularly Pyrrhus of Epirus. In the beginning circa 300 perhaps the most beginning circa 300 perhaps the most unlikely of the three would come to unlikely of the three would come to dominate the entire western dominate the entire western Mediterranean: Rome.Mediterranean: Rome.

Rome had already establish contact with Rome had already establish contact with Carthage in previous centuries Carthage in previous centuries establishing agreements of neutrality: establishing agreements of neutrality: Carthage promising not to intervene in the Carthage promising not to intervene in the affairs of the Italian Peninsula and Rome affairs of the Italian Peninsula and Rome promising not to intervene in the affairs of promising not to intervene in the affairs of Sicily and Carthaginian wars with the Sicily and Carthaginian wars with the Greek city states of the island.Greek city states of the island.

At the same time and with its borders At the same time and with its borders secured Rome began to expand its sphere secured Rome began to expand its sphere of influence by subjugating its Latin and of influence by subjugating its Latin and Italian neighbors. One of these the Italian neighbors. One of these the Tarentine’s suffering Roman depredations Tarentine’s suffering Roman depredations petitioned king Pyrrhus of Epirus to come petitioned king Pyrrhus of Epirus to come to their aid against the Romans in 281 to their aid against the Romans in 281 BCE.BCE.

Mounting an expedition force comprised of Mounting an expedition force comprised of heavy infantry, cavalry and 20 war heavy infantry, cavalry and 20 war elephants Pyrrhus invaded Italy landing elephants Pyrrhus invaded Italy landing his forces at Tarentum. The Roman his forces at Tarentum. The Roman armies and those of Pyrrhus met at armies and those of Pyrrhus met at Heraclea and after a hard won victory by Heraclea and after a hard won victory by Pyrrhus the Romans were forced to flee.Pyrrhus the Romans were forced to flee.

After Heraclea the war spread and Rome After Heraclea the war spread and Rome lost many allies including Lucanians, lost many allies including Lucanians, Samnites, Brutti and some Greek states in Samnites, Brutti and some Greek states in 280 BCE. By 279 BCE the Italian 280 BCE. By 279 BCE the Italian peninsula was immersed in an all out war peninsula was immersed in an all out war between Rome and Epirus and her Greek between Rome and Epirus and her Greek and Italian allies. Pyrrhus success in and Italian allies. Pyrrhus success in dealing with the Romans got him involved dealing with the Romans got him involved in affairs in the Mediterranean.in affairs in the Mediterranean.

The Greek city of Syracuse asked for The Greek city of Syracuse asked for Pyrrhus assistance against the Pyrrhus assistance against the Carthaginians in Sicily. From 278 until Carthaginians in Sicily. From 278 until 276 Pyrrhus was engaged in hard fighting 276 Pyrrhus was engaged in hard fighting against the Carthaginians. His successes against the Carthaginians. His successes pushed the Carthaginian borders and split pushed the Carthaginian borders and split the island into a Greek eastern half and a the island into a Greek eastern half and a Carthaginian western half.Carthaginian western half.

Due to Pyrrhus’ absence Rome was able to Due to Pyrrhus’ absence Rome was able to defeat the Italians and regain much territory and defeat the Italians and regain much territory and influence back. In 275 BCE Pyrrhus returned to influence back. In 275 BCE Pyrrhus returned to Italy and the Romans and Pyrrhus met in Italy and the Romans and Pyrrhus met in Beneventum in Samnite territory but this time the Beneventum in Samnite territory but this time the Romans defeated Pyrrhus. By the end of 275 Romans defeated Pyrrhus. By the end of 275 BCE Pyrrhus had crossed the Adriatic and BCE Pyrrhus had crossed the Adriatic and returned home. He eventually became involved returned home. He eventually became involved in Greek disputes and was killed while trying to in Greek disputes and was killed while trying to quell riots in Argos in 272 BCE.quell riots in Argos in 272 BCE.

Rome was able without restrictions to Rome was able without restrictions to expand its influence through out most of expand its influence through out most of the southern part of the peninsula. It the southern part of the peninsula. It would be relations between the Sicilian would be relations between the Sicilian city of Syracuse, Carthage and Italy that city of Syracuse, Carthage and Italy that would plunge Rome into one of its costliest would plunge Rome into one of its costliest wars in the entire history of the Republic… wars in the entire history of the Republic… The Punic Wars.The Punic Wars.

War broke about between the Romans War broke about between the Romans and the Carthaginians as a result of a and the Carthaginians as a result of a three way struggle between Carthage, three way struggle between Carthage, Rome, and Syracuse over the strategic Rome, and Syracuse over the strategic city of Messana which controlled the city of Messana which controlled the straits between Italy and Sicily.straits between Italy and Sicily.

Following the death of Agathocles king of Following the death of Agathocles king of Syracuse a band of Campanian mercenaries Syracuse a band of Campanian mercenaries seized Messana for themselves and plundered seized Messana for themselves and plundered the surrounding country side. Early in 260’s the surrounding country side. Early in 260’s Hiero the commander of Syracuse’s army Hiero the commander of Syracuse’s army defeated the Campanian mercenaries and defeated the Campanian mercenaries and proceeded to try to recapture Messana. The proceeded to try to recapture Messana. The Campanians had appealed to the Carthaginians Campanians had appealed to the Carthaginians for assistance against Hiero and he was forced for assistance against Hiero and he was forced to abandon the siege of Messana.to abandon the siege of Messana.

Some of the Campanian mercenary Some of the Campanian mercenary occupiers of Messana soon fell out of occupiers of Messana soon fell out of favor with the Carthaginians and appealed favor with the Carthaginians and appealed to Rome for protection against Carthage in to Rome for protection against Carthage in 264 BCE. Soon the Romans had been 264 BCE. Soon the Romans had been successful in expelling the Carthaginians successful in expelling the Carthaginians from Messana.from Messana.

War between Rome and Carthage erupted War between Rome and Carthage erupted in 263 BCE centered in Sicily. The in 263 BCE centered in Sicily. The Carthaginians enjoyed the advantage of a Carthaginians enjoyed the advantage of a powerful navy but suffered from small powerful navy but suffered from small number of soldiers relying heavily on number of soldiers relying heavily on mercenaries and allies to supplement their mercenaries and allies to supplement their numbers.numbers.

The Romans on the other hand enjoyed greater The Romans on the other hand enjoyed greater military man power but did not possess a navy military man power but did not possess a navy thus being heavily reliant on their Greek allies to thus being heavily reliant on their Greek allies to supply necessary warships. The true genius of supply necessary warships. The true genius of Rome became apparent in that practically Rome became apparent in that practically overnight they built a fleet of some 120 warships overnight they built a fleet of some 120 warships based on Carthaginian models and equipped based on Carthaginian models and equipped them with a new weapon the Corvus to assist in them with a new weapon the Corvus to assist in boarding enemy ships.boarding enemy ships.

For the remainder of the 260’s both For the remainder of the 260’s both participants in the struggle suffered participants in the struggle suffered defeats and enjoyed victories. In 256 BCE defeats and enjoyed victories. In 256 BCE the Romans crossed over into North Africa the Romans crossed over into North Africa and defeated some Carthaginian forces and defeated some Carthaginian forces and conquered Tunis close by Carthage.and conquered Tunis close by Carthage.

The next year the Romans suffered a The next year the Romans suffered a reverse in North Africa when the reverse in North Africa when the Carthaginians led by a Spartan general Carthaginians led by a Spartan general Xanthippus defeated and captured the Xanthippus defeated and captured the Roman consul in 255 BCE.Roman consul in 255 BCE.

In 254 BCE the Romans were able to In 254 BCE the Romans were able to conquer Panormus (Palermo) arguably the conquer Panormus (Palermo) arguably the most strategic and important city in most strategic and important city in Carthaginian Sicily. In 241 BCE the Carthaginian Sicily. In 241 BCE the Carthaginians gave their general Hamilcar Carthaginians gave their general Hamilcar Barca (father of Hannibal) the power to Barca (father of Hannibal) the power to sue for peace.sue for peace.

Carthage sued for peace and were forced Carthage sued for peace and were forced to give Rome Sicily and pay huge to give Rome Sicily and pay huge indemnity. This concluded the First Punic indemnity. This concluded the First Punic War and marked the beginnings of Roman War and marked the beginnings of Roman imperialist expansion with Sicily being their imperialist expansion with Sicily being their first territorial acquisition outside of Italy.first territorial acquisition outside of Italy.

The problems facing the Carthaginians The problems facing the Carthaginians were compounded when after the war the were compounded when after the war the Carthaginian did not have sufficient funds Carthaginian did not have sufficient funds to pay their mercenaries. In 237 BCE a to pay their mercenaries. In 237 BCE a rebellion of the mercenaries broke out and rebellion of the mercenaries broke out and Hamilcar Barca was called to suppressed Hamilcar Barca was called to suppressed it but not before the revolt could spill into it but not before the revolt could spill into other Carthaginian territories.other Carthaginian territories.

In Sardinia a revolt ushered the Romans In Sardinia a revolt ushered the Romans into the island on behalf of the into the island on behalf of the mercenaries who begged for Roman mercenaries who begged for Roman assistance against their Carthaginian assistance against their Carthaginian employers in 237 BCE. Rome threatened employers in 237 BCE. Rome threatened renewed hostilities against Carthage if the renewed hostilities against Carthage if the Carthaginians did not abandon Sardinia Carthaginians did not abandon Sardinia and Corsica. Rome now had in her and Corsica. Rome now had in her possession three island territories.possession three island territories.

Though hurt by the loss of these islands Though hurt by the loss of these islands Carthage was still able to enjoy huge trade Carthage was still able to enjoy huge trade opportunities and more importantly the opportunities and more importantly the Carthaginians had a coastal foothold in Spain Carthaginians had a coastal foothold in Spain which supplied Carthage with vast wealth in gold which supplied Carthage with vast wealth in gold and silver, military man power from the Celt and silver, military man power from the Celt Iberian tribes, and wood for necessary ship Iberian tribes, and wood for necessary ship building. By 221 BCE the Carthaginians were building. By 221 BCE the Carthaginians were exploiting much to their favor the riches of Spain exploiting much to their favor the riches of Spain and expanding their territory in the peninsula and expanding their territory in the peninsula much to the chagrin of their Roman nemesis.much to the chagrin of their Roman nemesis.

In 219 BCE the Carthaginian general in In 219 BCE the Carthaginian general in Spain invaded Saguntum a city arguably Spain invaded Saguntum a city arguably allied to Rome and captured the city. In allied to Rome and captured the city. In 218 BCE Rome sent ambassadors 218 BCE Rome sent ambassadors requesting that the Carthaginian quit the requesting that the Carthaginian quit the city. Hannibal refused and the Second city. Hannibal refused and the Second Punic War commenced.Punic War commenced.

Rome sent consuls to invade Spain and Rome sent consuls to invade Spain and another to go to Sicily and from Sicily another to go to Sicily and from Sicily mount and invasion of North Africa. mount and invasion of North Africa. Before these plans could be put into Before these plans could be put into practice the Carthaginian general marched practice the Carthaginian general marched his troops over Gaul and the Alps hoping his troops over Gaul and the Alps hoping to surprise and threaten Rome.to surprise and threaten Rome.

A genius of a military tactician Hannibal A genius of a military tactician Hannibal although heavily outnumbered and his although heavily outnumbered and his military composed of numerous people he military composed of numerous people he was none the less able to inflict huge was none the less able to inflict huge casualties on the larger Roman military casualties on the larger Roman military machine.machine.

In late 218 BCE he defeated Tiberius In late 218 BCE he defeated Tiberius Sempronius Longus at the battle of the Trebia Sempronius Longus at the battle of the Trebia River by faking a crossing at one point and River by faking a crossing at one point and surprising the Romans at another. It is surprising the Romans at another. It is estimated that the bronze plaque set up by estimated that the bronze plaque set up by Hannibal himself in the south of Italy might be Hannibal himself in the south of Italy might be factual of the number of the strength of his factual of the number of the strength of his fighting force when he entered Italy: 12,000 fighting force when he entered Italy: 12,000 Africans, 8,000 Iberian infantry and no more Africans, 8,000 Iberian infantry and no more than 6,000 cavalry versus a force of 250,000+ than 6,000 cavalry versus a force of 250,000+ that the Romans could muster.that the Romans could muster.

What assisted Hannibal also was that What assisted Hannibal also was that Rome had created too many enemies in Rome had created too many enemies in the north who joined forces with Hannibal the north who joined forces with Hannibal particularly the Celtic Boii and Insubres particularly the Celtic Boii and Insubres tribes. Fierce warriors that had a deep tribes. Fierce warriors that had a deep hatred for Rome and had recently hatred for Rome and had recently defeated many Roman legions sent defeated many Roman legions sent against them.against them.

In 217 BCE Hannibal crossed the In 217 BCE Hannibal crossed the Apennines and invaded Etruria. Gaius Apennines and invaded Etruria. Gaius Flaminius marched to block him, but Flaminius marched to block him, but Hannibal succeeded in ambushing and Hannibal succeeded in ambushing and destroying this consul’s army at Lake destroying this consul’s army at Lake Trasimene.Trasimene.

It was after this defeat that Rome It was after this defeat that Rome appointed Quintus Fabius Maximus appointed Quintus Fabius Maximus already appointed consul twice before as already appointed consul twice before as dictator. Q.F. Maximus adopted a strategy dictator. Q.F. Maximus adopted a strategy of avoiding direct confrontation with of avoiding direct confrontation with Hannibal which negated the Hannibal which negated the Carthaginian’s ability and forced him to Carthaginian’s ability and forced him to deplete his rations and create dissention deplete his rations and create dissention among his army.among his army.

Though successful Q.F. Maximus’ strategy Though successful Q.F. Maximus’ strategy was criticized by many Romans and was criticized by many Romans and Marcus Minucius Rufus convinced the Marcus Minucius Rufus convinced the Senate to vote him co-dictator. Rufus Senate to vote him co-dictator. Rufus deployed his half of the army against deployed his half of the army against Hannibal and was almost defeated. He Hannibal and was almost defeated. He was saved because Maximus interfered on was saved because Maximus interfered on his behalf.his behalf.

In 216 the consuls, Gaius Terentius Varro In 216 the consuls, Gaius Terentius Varro and Lucius Aemilius Paullus did not follow and Lucius Aemilius Paullus did not follow Maximus strategy and engaged Hannibal Maximus strategy and engaged Hannibal at Cannae suffering the worst defeat at Cannae suffering the worst defeat Rome had suffered at the hands of an Rome had suffered at the hands of an enemy out of 80,000 Romans only a enemy out of 80,000 Romans only a handful escaped and Paullus lost his life.handful escaped and Paullus lost his life.

The defeats suffered by Rome ushered The defeats suffered by Rome ushered many of Rome’s former allies to rally to many of Rome’s former allies to rally to Hannibal’s side. From 216 – 213 things Hannibal’s side. From 216 – 213 things became very bleak for the Romans and it became very bleak for the Romans and it seemed that a Carthaginian victory was seemed that a Carthaginian victory was inevitable.inevitable.

In 212 the Carthaginians began to suffer In 212 the Carthaginians began to suffer reverses as the Roman military machine reverses as the Roman military machine began to reconquer lost territory as well as began to reconquer lost territory as well as mounting invasions into North Africa and mounting invasions into North Africa and Spain plus effectively blocking Hannibal to Spain plus effectively blocking Hannibal to come to the assistance of his allies.come to the assistance of his allies.

Between 209-206 BCE Cornelius Scipio Between 209-206 BCE Cornelius Scipio had conquered many of the important had conquered many of the important Carthaginian cities of Spain thus cutting Carthaginian cities of Spain thus cutting the Carthaginians from their important the Carthaginians from their important resources. resources.

In 205 BCE Scipio launched an invasion of In 205 BCE Scipio launched an invasion of Carthage and with the help of Numidian king Carthage and with the help of Numidian king Masinissa defeated the Carthaginians in battle. Masinissa defeated the Carthaginians in battle. The Carthaginians then summoned Hannibal inn The Carthaginians then summoned Hannibal inn 202 BCE and the two generals Hannibal and 202 BCE and the two generals Hannibal and Scipio met in Zama North Africa but the Romans Scipio met in Zama North Africa but the Romans were the victors. Peace being concluded in 201 were the victors. Peace being concluded in 201 BCE. Carthage was forced to pay more BCE. Carthage was forced to pay more indemnities and accept shameful terms to indemnities and accept shameful terms to ensure the peace.ensure the peace.