HIST112_assignment3
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History
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Apr 3, 2024
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Uploaded by CorporalLightningDeer39 on coursehero.com
Name: Jessie Nguyen
HIST 112F
Professor Anu Mande
September 22th 2023
Assignment #3: Punic Wars
1.
Who were the Carthaginians? Why did the Romans view them as a threat?
The Carthaginians were an ancient civilization based in Carthage in present-day
Tunisia. They were of Phoenician origin and established a powerful maritime empire in the
Western Mediterranean during the first millennium BCE. The Romans viewed the
Carthaginians as a threat primarily due to territorial competition and conflicts of interests in
the Mediterranean. Two powers encountered in a series of wars known as the Punic Wars
(264-146 BCE), with control over trade routes, resources, and dominance in the region being
the primary reasons for their enmity. The most famous of these conflicts was the Second
Punic War (218-201 BCE), led by Carthaginian general Hannibal, who famously crossed the
Alps to invade Italy, posing a significant threat to Rome. These conflicts ultimately
culminated in the destruction of Carthage by Rome in 146 BCE, solidifying Roman
dominance in the western Mediterranean.
2.
How did Rome win the first Punic War? What were the consequences of the First War?
Rome won the first Punic War (264-241 BCE) primarily through its superior naval
power, persistence, and forcing Carthage to cede Sicily. They built a formidable fleet,
adapted to captured Carthaginian ships, and defeated Carthage in several key naval battles.
Consequences of the First Punic War included Rome's territorial expansion into Sicily,
marking its first overseas province, and the beginning of its Mediterranean dominance. The
War also placed a hardened financial burden on both Rome and Carthage. Carthage's loss at
sea led to a decline in its naval power. At the same time, Rome's navy continued to grow,
setting the stage for further conflicts and the eventual outbreak of the Second Punic War - the
foundation for further conflicts between the two powers, ultimately leading to the Punic
Wars.
3.
Who was Hannibal? Trace his journey from Carthage to Rome.
Hannibal Barca was a prominent Carthaginian military leader who was born in 247
BCE in Carthage. In 218 BCE, he undertook a daring assault, crossing the Alps with an army
that included war elephants to attack Rome directly. Hannibal won critical engagements in
Italy, notably the Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE. He established a base in Capua, but the War
lasted over a decade.
In 218 BCE, he began a bold campaign to assault Rome directly. Hannibal led a
heterogeneous army of infantry, cavalry, and war elephants on a perilous expedition through
the Alps, encountering great natural difficulties and opposing opposition. Hannibal used
novel tactics such as ambushes to win significant battles after crossing the Alps, notably the
Trebia River in 218 BCE and Lake Trasimene in 217 BCE. His most famous victory was in
the Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE when he used a clever double envelopment plan to
annihilate the Roman army. In 216 BCE, Hannibal laid siege to Capua, establishing it as his
primary base of operations while he continued his march into Italy. Despite his victories,
Rome persevered in the War, resulting in more than a decade of fighting. Hannibal was
defeated at the Battle of Zama by the Roman general Scipio Africanus in 202 BCE, bringing
the Second Punic War to a close. Following his loss, Hannibal went into exile in various
Mediterranean locations, bringing his military career to a stop and bringing his extraordinary
journey from Carthage to Rome to a close.
4.
Why did the Romans destroy Carthage? What was the outcome of the Third Punic War?
The Romans destroyed Carthage in 146 BCE during the Third Punic War because
they viewed Carthage as a perennial rival and threat. The outcome of the Third Punic War
was the destruction of Carthage; its territory became a Roman province, and its people were
either killed, enslaved, or dispersed, marking the end of the Carthaginian civilization.
5.
Why was the word "Punic" applied to the people of Carthage?
The term "Punic" is derived from the Latin word "Punicus," which means
"Carthaginian" or "about Carthage." It was applied to the people of Carthage because they
were of Phoenician origin, and their language, culture, and identity were closely associated
with their city-state, Carthage, a powerful Phoenician colony in North Africa.
6.
What did Rome gain from its victories in these wars?
Rome gained several significant advantages from its victories in the Punic Wars.
Rome acquired new territories, including Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and parts of Spain,
expanding its influence and resources. The conquest of Carthaginian territories brought vast
wealth and resources to Rome, enriching the Republic. Rome established dominance in the
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