Academics Lesson V—Roman History Flashcards
Questions Influenced by Imperium by Julian Morgan and Liber Digitalis by David Jackson
The Punic Wars were a series of wars that Rome fought with what enemy?
Carthage
Fun Fact: If you look at the map, you will see that Sicily commands the space between Rome and Carthage, which was its main rival at the time. There had been tremendous friction between the cities, both of which were pursuing an expansionist policy.
How many Punic Wars were there?
Three
Fun Fact: There had been tremendous friction between the cities, both of which were pursuing an expansionist policy. Each war was ultimately a dispute over territorial power between these two states.
Give the year between which the First Punic War was fought.
264 B.C.–241 B.C.
Fun Fact: The First Punic War between Rome and Carthage was not a foreseeable event. In 264 B.C. a group of Campanian mercenaries, called the Mamertines (sons of Mars), were attacked by king Hiero of Syracuse. The Mamertines initially appealed to Carthage (an enemy of Syracuse) for help. Once the Carthaginians removed Hiero, however, they began to overstay their welcome. The Mamertines then appealed to Rome to rid their city Messana of Carthage. The war opened with skirmishes between Rome and Carthage around the city of Messana. It soon escalated into a full out war over the island of Sicily.
What province(s) did Rome gain as a result of the First Punic War?
Sicily (1st Roman Province) and Sardinia & Corsica (2nd Roman Province)
Fun Fact: The earliest time at which Rome started to add new territories to its empire was in 241 B.C., when they created their first province in Sicily. If you look at the map, you will see that Sicily commands the space between Rome and Carthage, which was its main rival at the time. There had been tremendous friction between the cities, both of which were pursuing an expansionist policy. In fact, the acquisition of Sicily came as a direct result of the First Punic War, the first major hostilities between the warring partners. Within ten years, Rome had added Sardinia and Corsica to its list of provinces and after this, the focus came on Spain.
Give the year between which the Second Punic War was fought.
218 B.C.–201 B.C.
Fun Fact: This was when Hannibal brought the elephants to Italy and subsequently grew fat in Capua. You have probably heard of this and if you haven’t, you can read about it in Livy’s History of Rome, the original and main account of the events. The war resulted in a Roman victory: part of this came about because the Romans took the war to Spain, where the Carthaginians had colonies and trading connections, such as New Carthage, founded by Hasdrubal. Parts of Spain became a Roman province by the time the war ended, though the whole Iberian peninsula was not to become fully Roman for quite a few more years.
What province(s) did Rome gain as a result of the Second Punic War?
Hispania (Citerior & Ulterior)
Fun Fact: The Second Punic War resulted in a Roman victory: part of this came about because the Romans took the war to Spain, where the Carthaginians had colonies and trading connections, such as New Carthage, founded by Hasdrubal. Parts of Spain became a Roman province by the time the war ended, though the whole Iberian peninsula was not to become fully Roman for quite a few more years.
Give the year between which the Third Punic War was fought.
149 BC–146 BC
Fun Fact: In this war Rome ultimately defeats Carthage, and Rome retains the majority of its dominance of this territory for the remainder of its history.
