History Fact Finder | War and Conflict: Pre-Twentieth Century - What Were The Punic Wars?

What were the Punic Wars?

The Punic Wars were three conflicts between Rome and Carthage (a North African city) that took place from 264 B.C. to 146 B.C. Rome waged these wars to expand its empire. The first of the Punic Wars occurred in 264 B.C. when Rome attacked and conquered Messina (part of the island of Sicily) in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, which were part of the Carthaginians territory.

During the Second Punic War (218–201 B.C.), the Carthaginians and Romans fought to control mineral-rich Spain. After the Carthaginian general Hannibal (247?–183?) and his army captured the Roman-allied city of Sagunto, Spain, they traveled north and east. They crossed the Alps (a European mountain range) and invaded Italy, but suffered defeat when they met the Roman army. In 202 B.C., the pivotal battle of the Second Punic war took place in the North African town of Zama (southwest of...

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