by Fran Moriarty

Created on: July 23, 2009

In the Third Century BC, Carthage controlled sea trade on the Mediterranean. As Rome expanded its dominance over the Italian Peninsula, it began to compete with Carthage's sea trade. Confrontation seemed inevitable. The Carthaginians were descendants of the Sixth Century Phoenicians and were still referred to as such by Rome. The Poeni controlled Sicily which was just off the coast of Italy. When the Sicilian town of Messana declared its freedom from Carthage, Rome was quick to defend the rebels. The First Punic War was under way.

The First Punic War centered around Sicily. The war dragged on for 23 years. The naval battles resulted in Rome learning tactics and ship design. Although Carthage won many sea battles, the long engagement tipped the scales toward Rome as Carthaginian ships were destroyed. Both Countries grew tried of the war and a treaty favoring Rome was agreed upon. Rome was given Sicily and paid war reparations.

An uneasy peace followed for the next 23 years. Carthage expanded into the Iberian peninsula (Spain). Once again Rome and Carthage faced each other. Rome set the Ebro River in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees as the furthest that Carthage could expand. Once again, the small village of Saguntum sought friendship with Rome. Hannibal, general of the Carthaginian army, avoided Rome. After a few years and Hannibal's army increased, he struck at Saguntum and routed the Romans. The Second Punic War was underway.

Hannibal's army marched out of Spain, across Europe and over the Alps. He crushed the Roman armies in Northern Italy. With victory old enemies of Rome rushed to join his army. He moved South toward Rome. He could conquer Rome only with an alliance with the southern Roman allies. However , the allies remained loyal to Rome. He hoped to entice the Romans out of the city. The senate named Quintus Fabius Maximus as dictator to lead the army to battle. Maximus realized that Hannibal had a supply problem. He trailed Hannibal but avoided direct confrontation knowing that with Hannibal would run low on supplies.

The senate grew tried of his lack of directness and replaced him with another who was ordered to engage Hannibal. The results were a disaster for Rome. The victory resulted in Greece and some of the southern allies joining the Carthaginians. The Roman army withdrew. The Senate name Publius Cornelius Scipio commander. Like Maximus, he realized that Hannibal had a problem with his supply line. Scipio decided to strike at Hannibal's

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