The First, Second, and Third Punic Wars

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The First , Second , and Third Punic Wars

I . Introduction and Overview

An ancient Roman legend tells how the twin babies Romulus and Remus were abandoned by their mother and raised a female wolf . When they grew up , they set off to found Rome , and Romulus became the city 's first king . The traditional date for the founding is known of the origins and early history of Rome

It is probable that sometime during the eight century B .C . Latin settlements on seven of Rome

's hills united to form the city . In the next century , Etruscan kings , the Romans drained the marshes , developed agriculture , stimulated trade , extended the city , and subjected other Latin settlements to their rule . According to tradition , the patrician landowners led a revolt while the king was out of the city in 509 B .C and deposed him . This marked the beginning of the republic

After Rome had deposed its last king , the surrounding cities proclaimed their freedom . For the next two centuries Rome was almost continuously at war , first to protect itself from neighboring city-states , mainly Etruscan and Latin , and then to conquer central Italy

Thesis Statement : This essay intends to find answers in the following questions

Why the Punic Wars are considered a turning point in Western Civilization , not just Roman History

What happened in the Punic Wars

What were the Causes of the war

Who won and lost the wars

What did the winners gain from winning

What do I think was the cause of the war

What else did Rome gain /lose from its victory over Carthage

Hannibal was even respected by the Romans , how would YOU describe him

What did Rome 's destruction of Carthage reveal about the nature of Roman imperialism

II . Discussion

A . The Three Punic Wars

The Punic Wars were the turning point in Western Civilization because these were the time that Rome was able to have a new beginning after the difficulties it had been through and these led to great changes . The conquest of Italy left Rome with one major rival in the western Mediterranean , Carthage , in North Africa . The two powers clashed in a series of three wars , called the Punic Wars , which ended with the destruction of Carthage . The First Punic War (264-241 B .C ) began when Carthage and Rome vied for control of the city of Messana (Messina Sicily . Carthage occupied the city first and the roman Senate , fearing a further Carthaginian advance into Italy , sent an army of Messana and ed a fleet built

Roman legions defeated the Carthaginians in Sicily , and in a great sea battle off Cape Ecnomus in 256 B .C , the Romans defeated the Carthaginian fleet . However , the war dragged on , with enormous losses on both sides , until Carthage sued for peace in 241 B .C . Rome won Sicily and a large indemnity . In 238 B .C , Rome seized Sardinia and Corsica from Carthage

Hamilcar Barca , a Carthaginian general , planned revenge , and in 237 B...