Punic Wars Flashcards
What kinds of people were Carthage?
Phoenician; from far east of Mediterranean (modern Lebanon/Syria); seafarers; settled in Carthage in 800 BC
Punic?
Phoenician
Cause of the 1st Punic War
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
Main historian?
Polybius; Greek intellect/outsider of Rome
Livy
Both pro-Roman
Corvus
“crow,” “raven” drawbridge
2 main events in 1st Punic War
- ) Romans march towards Carthage to besiege the city. Carthaginians repel/defeat them
- ) 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
How did Rome get Sardinia and Corsica?
After the war, mercenaries revolted in Carthage. They were joined by Numidia and Libya, so Rome takes possession
What did Rome request for the Carthaginians not to do in Spain?
Not go north of River Ebro
What was Rome’s first threat to Hannibal?
Not to lay siege to Saguntum since Rome has a special relationship with it. Hannibal takes it.
Who was Hannibal’s father? What was his influence on Hannibal?
Hamilcar; deeply hostile towards Rome
How does Hannibal get to Rome?
along coast of Spain, across Rhone river, Alps, unto Po Valley
What was the consequence of traveling far (for Hannibal from Spain to Rome)
50,000 infantry to 20000, 9,000 calvary to 6000, 37 elephants to 1
What was the first struggle/fight in 2nd war?
Trebia in 218 - Army in Sicily rushes up; Hannibal is decisive winner
What happens at Lake Trasimene?
June 217; Hannibal ambushes a big Roman army and wipes it
What was Rome’s response to their defeat in Trasimene?
Appoint dictator Fabius Maximus
What does Fabius Maximus promise?
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
Who allied with Hannibal?
Capua - main city in Campania
King Philip of Macedon
What made allies go over to Hannibal’s side?
captures Tarentum (port which had brought in Pyrrhus)
What do the Romans do after their loss at Cannae?
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.
Hannibal’s brother
Hasdrubal; defeated at River Metaurus; turning point for Romans
What ended the 2nd war?
Publics Cornelius Scipio (commander in Spain) invades North Africa. Meet at Zama. Rome wins.
What was Rome’s main goal after the 2nd Punic War?
Discipline disloyal allies
Kick out Gauls from Po Valley
Treaty with Carthage
What do Romans do about Spain?
stay there since that is where Carthage has resources
How do they deal with King Philip of Macedon?
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.
Why does Pergamum help Rome against Macedon?
Pergamum - King Attalus; Attalid dynasty
Pergamum and Macedon don’t get along, so Pergamum helps Rome
Romans win
Why are the Romans attracted to Greece for the second time?
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
How is a war provoked with Macedon?
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
King Antiochus
told to keep out of Asia Minor; stopped by Romans in invading Egypt (kingdom of Ptolemy) - one ambassador stops all of them.
What do Romans do so that Greeks don’t trouble them?
Wipe out Corinth
Treaty with Carthage
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
What does Carthage do to make Rome nervous?
Asks if they can repay in one sitting
What does Masinissa do?
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
Who were the two who disagreed on Carthage?
Senior senators:
Cato - attack Carthage preemptively
Scipio Nasica - Carthage hasn’t done anything wrong.
Conflict in Spain after 2nd Punic War: Lusitanians
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.
Conflict in Spain after 2nd Punic War: Celtiberians
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
