Punic Wars

Question 1

What kinds of people were Carthage?

Answer 1

Phoenician; from far east of Mediterranean (modern Lebanon/Syria); seafarers; settled in Carthage in 800 BC

Question 2

Punic?

Answer 2

Phoenician

Question 3

Cause of the 1st Punic War

Answer 3

Messina has differing groups (on Sicily side of the start between Sicily and Italian peninsula)
Groups turn to Syracuse (may power in Sicily), Carthage (some settlements in west Sicily), and Rome
Then, Romans want to expel Carthage from Sicily - don’t want unreliable neighbors

Question 4

Main historian?

Answer 4

Polybius; Greek intellect/outsider of Rome
Livy
Both pro-Roman

Question 5

Corvus

Answer 5

“crow,” “raven” drawbridge

Question 6

2 main events in 1st Punic War

Answer 6

1. ) Romans march towards Carthage to besiege the city. Carthaginians repel/defeat them
2. ) When both sides are exhausted, Romans sacrifice to build one last fleet. Meet at the Aegates Islands –> Carthage agrees to refund Rome and keep out of Sicily

Question 7

How did Rome get Sardinia and Corsica?

Answer 7

After the war, mercenaries revolted in Carthage. They were joined by Numidia and Libya, so Rome takes possession

Question 8

What did Rome request for the Carthaginians not to do in Spain?

Answer 8

Not go north of River Ebro

Question 9

What was Rome’s first threat to Hannibal?

Answer 9

Not to lay siege to Saguntum since Rome has a special relationship with it. Hannibal takes it.

Question 10

Who was Hannibal’s father? What was his influence on Hannibal?

Answer 10

Hamilcar; deeply hostile towards Rome

Question 11

How does Hannibal get to Rome?

Answer 11

along coast of Spain, across Rhone river, Alps, unto Po Valley

Question 12

What was the consequence of traveling far (for Hannibal from Spain to Rome)

Answer 12

50,000 infantry to 20000, 9,000 calvary to 6000, 37 elephants to 1

Question 13

What was the first struggle/fight in 2nd war?

Answer 13

Trebia in 218 - Army in Sicily rushes up; Hannibal is decisive winner

Question 14

What happens at Lake Trasimene?

Answer 14

June 217; Hannibal ambushes a big Roman army and wipes it

Question 15

What was Rome’s response to their defeat in Trasimene?

Answer 15

Appoint dictator Fabius Maximus

Question 16

What does Fabius Maximus promise?

Answer 16

set fire to everything. Romans don’t like the plan. Say he is a “Cuncator” (delayer) and instead provoke a war with Hannibal –> bloodiest battle in Europ

Question 17

Who allied with Hannibal?

Answer 17

Capua - main city in Campania

King Philip of Macedon

Question 18

What made allies go over to Hannibal’s side?

Answer 18

captures Tarentum (port which had brought in Pyrrhus)

Question 19

What do the Romans do after their loss at Cannae?

Answer 19

send forces to Spain and open second front there (source of resources). Syracuse and Sicily go over to Hannibal but don’t help him much.

Question 20

Hannibal’s brother

Answer 20

Hasdrubal; defeated at River Metaurus; turning point for Romans

Question 21

What ended the 2nd war?

Answer 21

Publics Cornelius Scipio (commander in Spain) invades North Africa. Meet at Zama. Rome wins.

Question 22

What was Rome’s main goal after the 2nd Punic War?

Answer 22

Discipline disloyal allies
Kick out Gauls from Po Valley
Treaty with Carthage

Question 23

What do Romans do about Spain?

Answer 23

stay there since that is where Carthage has resources

Question 24

How do they deal with King Philip of Macedon?

Answer 24

Romans send an army to Macedon, which is the first time they sent an army outside the Roman peninsula. Macedon is strongest power in Greece.

Question 25

Why does Pergamum help Rome against Macedon?

Answer 25

Pergamum - King Attalus; Attalid dynasty
Pergamum and Macedon don’t get along, so Pergamum helps Rome
Romans win

Question 26

Why are the Romans attracted to Greece for the second time?

Answer 26

King Antiochus in Syria (Seleucid Dynasty) - controls most of Asia Minor; would like to take over Greece
Romans send army to Greece and Western Asia Minor to confront King Antiochus; stop him in a battle in 189 and tell him to get out of Asia Minor

Question 27

How is a war provoked with Macedon?

Answer 27

Philip dies and is replaced by son Perseus.
Archenemy Pergamum sends messages to Rome to provok Rome to war.
Rome makes a preemptive strike; battle at Pydna
Result: split Macedon into 4 Republics

Question 28

King Antiochus

Answer 28

told to keep out of Asia Minor; stopped by Romans in invading Egypt (kingdom of Ptolemy) - one ambassador stops all of them.

Question 29

What do Romans do so that Greeks don’t trouble them?

Answer 29

Wipe out Corinth

Question 30

Treaty with Carthage

Answer 30

Carthage becomes Rome’s ally
Refund cost of war over 50 years
Provide ships for Roman fleet
Can’t make war unless authorized by Rome

Question 31

What does Carthage do to make Rome nervous?

Answer 31

Asks if they can repay in one sitting

Question 32

What does Masinissa do?

Answer 32

King of Numidia (West of Carthage); provokes Carthage; Romans don’t let Carthage fight because Masinissa had sided with Romans beforehand.

Eventually, Carthaginians fight back. Romans march down - the Carthaginians surrender. Then, Romans have a siege

Question 33

Who were the two who disagreed on Carthage?

Answer 33

Senior senators:
Cato - attack Carthage preemptively
Scipio Nasica - Carthage hasn’t done anything wrong.

Question 34

Conflict in Spain after 2nd Punic War: Lusitanians

Answer 34

Splits into Nearer/Further Spain
Conflict: Lusitanians, led by Viriathus.
Romans organize assassination of Viriathus
Roman Galba makes agreement with Lusitanians, but then kills them - punished.

Question 35

Conflict in Spain after 2nd Punic War: Celtiberians

Answer 35

north Central Spain (Iberian Peninsula)
Centered on Numantia - Rome defeated. Mancinus (commander) makes peace deal with them. He is made a scape goat - humiliated.

Numantia is later captured by Scipio Aemilianus