In the Mediterranean region, the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire were both ancient “superpowers” in the second and third centuries. Their rivalry led to two wars known as the First Punic War and Second Punic War. The Romans defeated the Carthaginians in this struggle for power over the Mediterranean, leaving Carthage greatly diminished as a military power. What series of events led to this?
Established in 814 BC, Carthage was originally a Phoenician colony on the northern coast of Africa, where modern-day Tunisia is located.1 Hence, the word punic, a Roman adjectival form of Phoenician, was used to describe the bloody conflicts.2 In approximately 332 BC, when Alexander the Great took over Tyre, a Phoenician city, able Tyrians escaped and fled to …show more content…
Roman monarchy only lasted until approximately 509 BC when the tyrannical King Lucius Tarquinius Superbus was overthrown due to an uprising.5 Consequently, a new system of government in which chosen representatives governed on the behalf of their electors (citizens). The Roman Republic, as it came to be known, had a very unique governmental structure. Unfortunately, the aristocracy, or patricians, held all the powerful positions in government. The Senate, which also consisted of only wealthy citizens, acted as an advisory group to their two elected leaders, titled consuls. Initially, plebeians, the lower-class citizens, did not have any significant rights. Only male citizens could participate in the government.6 Similar to other civilizations during the second and third centuries, the Roman Republic was primarily an agrarian state supplemented by commercial activities. The mighty Roman Republic expanded to include lands of the Etruscans, Latins and Samnites. Having gained control of the entire Italian Peninsula, the next step was to expand her thriving state to the south. Carthage, however, was a hindrance to her
Established in 814 BC, Carthage was originally a Phoenician colony on the northern coast of Africa, where modern-day Tunisia is located.1 Hence, the word punic, a Roman adjectival form of Phoenician, was used to describe the bloody conflicts.2 In approximately 332 BC, when Alexander the Great took over Tyre, a Phoenician city, able Tyrians escaped and fled to …show more content…
Roman monarchy only lasted until approximately 509 BC when the tyrannical King Lucius Tarquinius Superbus was overthrown due to an uprising.5 Consequently, a new system of government in which chosen representatives governed on the behalf of their electors (citizens). The Roman Republic, as it came to be known, had a very unique governmental structure. Unfortunately, the aristocracy, or patricians, held all the powerful positions in government. The Senate, which also consisted of only wealthy citizens, acted as an advisory group to their two elected leaders, titled consuls. Initially, plebeians, the lower-class citizens, did not have any significant rights. Only male citizens could participate in the government.6 Similar to other civilizations during the second and third centuries, the Roman Republic was primarily an agrarian state supplemented by commercial activities. The mighty Roman Republic expanded to include lands of the Etruscans, Latins and Samnites. Having gained control of the entire Italian Peninsula, the next step was to expand her thriving state to the south. Carthage, however, was a hindrance to her