---
title: Punic Wars
author: Joshua J. Mark
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Punic_Wars/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-06-11
---

# Punic Wars

_Authored by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/)_

The [Punic](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) Wars were a series of conflicts fought between [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) and [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) between 264 BCE and 146 BCE. The name *Punic* comes from the word Phoenician (*Phoinix* in the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/), *Poenus* from *Punicus* in Latin) as applied to the citizens of Carthage, who were of Phoenician ethnicity.

As the history of the conflict was written by [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) authors, they labeled them collectively as 'The Punic Wars' which refers to:

- [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/) (264-241 BCE)
- [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/) (218-201 BCE)
- [Third Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Third_Punic_War/) (149-146 BCE)

Rome won all three of these wars, allowing the Romans to dominate the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) region which had previously been controlled by Carthage. Prior to the conflict, Carthage had grown from a small port-of-call to the richest and most powerful [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) in the Mediterranean region before 260 BCE. She had a powerful navy, a mercenary army, and, through tribute, tariffs, and [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/), enough wealth to do as she pleased.

Through a treaty with the small city of Rome, she barred Roman trade in the Western Mediterranean and, as Rome had no navy, was able to easily enforce the treaty. Roman traders caught in Carthaginian waters were drowned and their ships taken. These roles would be reversed after the First Punic [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) and the Carthaginians progressively lost more power, wealth, and prestige in the later conflicts. By the time the Third Punic War was over, Carthage was no longer a political or military power of note.

### First Punic War

As long as Rome remained the little city of trade by the Tiber River, Carthage reigned supreme; but the island of [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) would be the flashpoint for growing Roman resentment of the Carthaginians. Sicily lay partly under Carthaginian and partly under Roman control. When Hiero II (r. 270-215 BCE) of neighboring [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/) fought against the Mamertines of Messina, the Mamertines asked first Carthage and then Rome for help. The Carthaginians had already agreed to help and felt betrayed by the Mamertines' appeal to Rome. They changed sides, sending forces to Hiero II. The Romans fought for the Mamertines of Messina and, in 264 BCE, Rome and Carthage declared war on each other for the control of Sicily.

Although Rome had no navy and knew nothing of sea battles, they swiftly built and equipped 330 ships. As they were far more used to fighting land battles, they devised the clever device of the *corvus*, a moveable gangplank, which could be attached to an enemy's ship and held in place with hooks. By immobilizing the other ship, and attaching it to their own, the Romans could manipulate a sea engagement through the strategies of a land [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/).

Even so, they lacked the expertise at sea of the Carthaginians and, more importantly, were lacking a general with the skill of the Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca (l. 275-228 BCE). Hamilcar was surnamed *Barca* (meaning `lightning') because of his speed in attacking anywhere and the suddenness of the action. He struck without warning up and down the coast of Italy destroying Roman outposts and cutting supply lines.

Had the [Carthaginian government](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Government/) better supplied and reinforced Hamilcar, they most probably would have won the war but, instead, they contented themselves with hoarding their wealth and trusted to Hamilcar and his mercenaries to take care of their enemies without the necessary support. He defeated the Romans at Drepana in 249 BCE but then was forced to withdraw due to a lack of manpower and supplies. According to the historian Will Durant:

> Worn out almost equally, the two nations rested for nine years. But while in those years Carthage did nothing…a number of Roman citizens voluntarily presented to the state a fleet of 200 men-of-war, carrying 60,000 troops.

The Romans, more experienced at sea battles now and better equipped and led, won a series of decisive victories over Carthage and in 241 BCE the Carthaginians sued for peace.

[ ![Carthage and its Harbour](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/1213.jpg?v=1765397829) Carthage and its Harbour The Creative Assembly (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1213/carthage-and-its-harbour/ "Carthage and its Harbour")This war was costly to both sides but Carthage suffered more seriously owing to:

- The corruption and incompetence of her government, which embezzled funds which should have gone to the military and consistently refused to send much needed supplies and reinforcements to generals in the field
- The mostly mercenary army who often simply refused to fight
- An over-reliance on the brilliance of Hamilcar Barca

Further, however, they seriously underestimated their enemy. While Carthage would largely ignore the war, leaving the fighting to Hamilcar and his mercenaries, Rome would be building and equipping more ships and training more men. Even though Rome had never had a navy before the First Punic War, they emerged in 241 BCE as masters of the sea and Carthage was a defeated city.

During the war, the Carthaginian government had repeatedly failed to pay its mercenary army and so, in 241 BCE, these mercenaries laid siege to the city. Hamilcar Barca was called upon to raise the siege and did so, even though Carthage had refused him the much-needed supplies and reinforcements on his campaigns on her behalf and he had led most of these mercenaries in battle himself.

The [Mercenary War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mercenary_War/) lasted from 241-237 BCE and, while Carthage was engaged in this conflict, Rome occupied the Carthaginian colonies of Sardinia and Corsica. While Carthage was unhappy with this development, there was little they could do about it. They concentrated their efforts on the conquest of Spain rather than trying to drive the Romans out of their former colonies.

In 226 BCE the Ebro Treaty was signed between Carthage and Rome agreeing that the Romans would hold Spanish territory north of the Ebro River, Carthage would hold the area they had already conquered south of the river, and neither nation would cross the boundary.

### [ ![Carthaginian War Elephant](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/4651.jpg?v=1778662359) Carthaginian War Elephant The Creative Assembly (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4651/carthaginian-war-elephant/ "Carthaginian War Elephant")

### Second Punic War

In 228 BCE, Hamilcar was killed in battle and command of the [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) went to his son-in-[law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/) Hasdrubal the Fair (l. c. 270-221 BCE). Hasdrubal chose diplomatic, rather than military, solutions to conflict with Rome but was assassinated by a servant in 221 BCE and command then went to [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) Barca (l. 247-183 BCE, Hamilcar's oldest son). To the south of the border of the Ebro lay the city of [Saguntum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saguntum/), a Roman ally, and, in 218 BCE, Hannibal lay siege to the city and took it. The Romans objected to this attack and demanded that Carthage deliver Hannibal to Rome. The Carthaginian senate refused to comply and so began the Second Punic War.

Hannibal, a sworn enemy of Rome, received intelligence that Roman armies were moving against him and, in a bold gamble, marched his forces over the Alps and into northern Italy. Hannibal then proceeded to win every single engagement against the Romans, conquering northern Italy and gathering former allies of Rome to his side.

Having lost many of his elephants on his march over the mountains, and lacking necessary siege engines and troops, Hannibal was caught in southern Italy in a cat and mouse game with the Roman army under Quintus Fabius Maximus. Fabius refused to engage Hannibal directly relying, instead, on cutting off his supplies and starving his army.

Fabius' strategy might have worked had not the Romans become impatient with their legions' inactivity. Further, Hannibal used counter-intelligence to reinforce and spread the rumor that Fabius refused to fight because he was in the pay of the Carthaginians. Fabius was replaced by Caius Terentius Varro and Lucius Aemilius [Paulus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paul_the_Apostle/) who threw off caution and led their troops against Hannibal in the region of Apulia.

At the [Battle of Cannae](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Cannae/) in 216 BCE, Hannibal placed his Gauls in the center of his lines, expecting they would give way before the Roman forces. When they did exactly that, and the Romans pressed what they saw as an advantage and followed them, Hannibal closed from behind and the sides, enveloping the Roman forces and crushing them. 44,000 Roman soldiers died at Cannae compared with 6000 of Hannibal's forces. Hannibal won his greatest victory but could not build upon it as Carthage refused to send him the reinforcements and supplies he needed.

[ ![The Second Punic War (218 - 201 BCE)](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/15973.png?v=1770693005) The Second Punic War (218 - 201 BCE) Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15973/the-second-punic-war-218---201-bce/ "The Second Punic War (218 - 201 BCE)")Shortly after this, the Roman general, Publius Cornelius [Scipio](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio/) (l. 236-183 BCE, later known as [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/)) was defeating the Carthaginian forces in Spain under Hannibal's brother, [Hasdrubal Barca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hasdrubal_Barca/) (l. c. 244-207 BCE). Hasdrubal had ably defended Spain from the Romans until the arrival of Scipio who defeated him completely in 208 BCE. Hasdrubal fled Spain, following his brother over the Alps into Italy to join forces. He was stopped and defeated at the [Battle of the Metaurus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_the_Metaurus/) in 207 BCE, dying on the field. Hannibal knew nothing of his brother's whereabouts until Hasdrubal's severed head was thrown into his camp.

Recognizing that Hannibal's army would be recalled if Carthage were attacked, and with Spain now under Roman control, Scipio manned a fleet and sailed to North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/) where he took the Carthaginian city of [Utica](https://www.worldhistory.org/Utica/). Carthage recalled Hannibal from Italy to save their city but Scipio was a great admirer of Hannibal and had studied his tactics carefully.

At the Battle of Zama in 202, Hannibal sent an elephant charge against the Romans which Scipio, mindful of Hannibal's strategies, deflected easily. The Romans killed the Carthaginians on the elephants and sent the animals back into the Carthaginian ranks, then followed with a combined cavalry charge and infantry advance which caught the enemy between and crushed them. Hannibal returned to the city and told the Senate that Carthage should immediately surrender.

[ ![Scipio Africanus the Elder](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/4486.jpg?v=1765780935) Scipio Africanus the Elder Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4486/scipio-africanus-the-elder/ "Scipio Africanus the Elder")Scipio allowed Carthage to retain her colonies in Africa but she had to surrender her navy and was not allowed to make war under any circumstances without Rome's approval. Carthage was also to pay Rome a war debt of 200 talents every year for fifty years. Carthage was, again, a defeated city but, retaining its trading ships and ten warships to protect them, was able to struggle on and begin to prosper.

The Carthaginian government, however, still as corrupt and selfish as it had always been, taxed the people heavily to help pay the war debt while they, themselves, contributed nothing. Hannibal came out of retirement to try to rectify the situation, was betrayed by the rich Carthaginians to the Romans, and fled. He died by his own hand, drinking poison, in 184 BCE, aged sixty-seven.

### Third Punic War: Carthage Destroyed

Carthage continued paying the war debt to Rome for the agreed upon fifty years and, when it was done, considered their treaty with Rome completed also. They went to war against Numidia, were defeated, and had to then pay that nation another war debt. As they had gone to war without Rome's approval, the [Roman senate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Senate/) considered Carthage a threat to the peace again.

[ ![Carthage Under Siege](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/5180.jpg?v=1727113624) Carthage Under Siege The Creative Assembly (Copyright) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5180/carthage-under-siege/ "Carthage Under Siege")The Roman senator [Cato the Elder](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cato_the_Elder/) took the threat so seriously that he would end all of his speeches, no matter the subject, with the phrase, “And, further, I think that Carthage should be destroyed.” In 149 BCE Rome sent an embassy to Carthage suggesting exactly that course: that the city should be dismantled and moved inland away from the coast. The Carthaginians refused to comply with this and so began the Third Punic War.

The Roman general Scipio Aemilianus (l. 185-129 BCE) besieged the city for three years and, when it fell, sacked it and burned it to the ground. Rome emerged as the pre-eminent power in the Mediterranean and Carthage lay in ruin for over one [hundred years](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Hundred_Years/) until it was finally re-built following the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/). The Punic Wars provided Rome with the training, the navy, and the wealth to expand from a small city to an [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) which would rule the known world.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Appian's History of Rome: The Punic Wars](http://www.livius.org/ap-ark/appian/appian_punic_00.html "Appian's History of Rome: The Punic Wars"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
- [Durant, W. *Ceasar and Christ.* Simon & Schuster, 1944.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B0020CZRZY/)
- [Mellor, R. *The Historians of Ancient Rome.* Routledge, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0415527163/)
- [Miles, R. *Carthage Must Be Destroyed.* Penguin Books, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0143121294/)
- [Polybius. *Polybius' Histories.* Loeb Classical Library, 1922.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0674991427/)
- [Sheldon, R. M. *Intelligence Activities in Ancient Rome.* Routledge, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0415452716/)
- [Titus Livy. *Livy's Histories.* Penguin Classics, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140448098/)
- [Warmington, B. H. *Carthage: A History.* Barnes & Noble Books, 1995.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1557864683/)

## About the Author

Joshua J. Mark is World History Encyclopedia's co-founder and Content Director. He was previously a professor at Marist College (NY) where he taught history, philosophy, literature, and writing. He has traveled extensively and lived in Greece and Germany.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/joshua-j-mark/38/614/339)

## Timeline

- **264 BCE**: The Mamertines at Messana on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) call for Carthaginian and then [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) help in defence against [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/), sparking the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **264 BCE - 241 BCE**: [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/). [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) cedes [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) to [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/).
- **c. 263 BCE**: Antaros and 3000 [Celts](https://www.worldhistory.org/celt/) fight with [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) in the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **263 BCE**: [Segesta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Segesta/) joins the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) cause in the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **262 BCE**: [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) besieges and sacks [Agrigento](https://www.worldhistory.org/agrigento/) on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) in one of the first actions of the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **260 BCE**: First [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) naval victory against [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) off Mylae in the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **260 BCE**: [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) builds a fleet of 120 ships in just 60 days to fight the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **258 BCE**: [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) wins a naval [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) against [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) at Sulcis during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **256 BCE**: [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) naval victory against [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) off Ecnomus during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **256 BCE**: [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) lands an army of four legions on African soil at Clupea during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **255 BCE**: [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) sues for peace during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/) but the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) [consul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Consul/) Regulus' excessive demands are rejected.
- **255 BCE**: A Carthaginain army led by the mercenary Spartan commander Xanthippus defeats two [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) legions near Tunis during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **255 BCE - 253 BCE**: [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) fleets are wrecked by storms off Pachynus and Palinurus during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **254 BCE**: Romans capture Palermo during the First [Punic](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/).
- **Jun 250 BCE**: A [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) led by Hasdrubal is defeated by [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) [consul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Consul/) Metellus near Palermo in the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **249 BCE**: [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) defeats [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) in a naval [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) at Drepanum during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **249 BCE**: Antaros withdraws his support from [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/).
- **247 BCE**: [Hamilcar Barca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hamilcar_Barca/) raids southern [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) and then lands on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **244 BCE**: [Hamilcar Barca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hamilcar_Barca/) captures Eryx on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **242 BCE**: A [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) fleet besieges the Carthaginian stronghold of Drepana on [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) during the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **241 BCE**: [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) naval victory off the Aegates Islands leads to victory over [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/), ending the [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/).
- **237 BCE**: [Hamilcar Barca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hamilcar_Barca/) arrives in southern Spain to expand [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/)'s interests there. He makes his base at [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/) and founds Acra Leuce.
- **229 BCE**: Hasdrubal takes command of [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/)'s armies in Spain.
- **226 BCE**: Hasdrubal signs an agreement with [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) not to cross the Ebro river in Spain.
- **221 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) takes command of [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/)'s armies in Spain.
- **219 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) crosses the Ebro river in Spain and sacks the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Saguntum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saguntum/), [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/)'s ally, sparking off the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/).
- **218 BCE - 201 BCE**: [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/).
- **Mar 218 BCE**: [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) declares [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) on [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) after [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) sacks [Saguntum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Saguntum/) in Spain. The [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/) begins.
- **Apr 218 BCE - May 218 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) leaves Spain to cross the Pyrenees and Alps into [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/).
- **Nov 218 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) wins the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Ticinus.
- **Dec 218 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) wins the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Trebia.
- **Jun 217 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) wins the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Lake Trasimene.
- **216 BCE**: [Marcus Claudius Marcellus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Claudius_Marcellus/) successfully defends Nola against attack from [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) during the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/).
- **216 BCE**: "[Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) ante portas." Hannibal directly threatens the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/), but cannot advance due to lack of supplies and reinforcements.
- **Aug 216 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) wins the [battle of Cannae](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Cannae/), the worst defeat in [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) history.
- **215 BCE**: A [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) led by Hasdrubal is defeated at the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Ibera in Spain.
- **214 BCE**: [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/) joins the side of [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) in the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/).
- **213 BCE - 212 BCE**: [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) commander [Marcus Claudius Marcellus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Claudius_Marcellus/) lays seige to and ultimately sacks [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/).
- **212 BCE**: A [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) is defeated in [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) by a [Roman army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Army/) led by Marcellus. [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/) falls to [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) who now control the island.
- **211 BCE**: [Marcus Claudius Marcellus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Claudius_Marcellus/) is given a [triumph](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Triumph/) for his capture of [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/) and victories in [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/).
- **211 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) lands an army for the second time at [Empuries](https://www.worldhistory.org/Empuries/) in northeastern Spain during the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/).
- **211 BCE**: A [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) defeats two [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) consuls and their armies in the Tader valley, Spain.
- **210 BCE - 207 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) conquers Spain for [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/).
- **209 BCE**: [Tarentum](https://www.worldhistory.org/tarentum/) comes under [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) control during the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/).
- **209 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) captures the Carthaginian base and treasury [Carthago Nova](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthago_Nova/) in southern Spain.
- **208 BCE**: [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) commander [Marcus Claudius Marcellus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Claudius_Marcellus/) is killed in an ambush in Venusia, southern [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/).
- **208 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) defeats a [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) led by Hasdrubal at Baecula in Spain.
- **207 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/), harassed by [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) forces, is reduced to controlling only Bruttium in southern [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/).
- **c. 22 Jun 207 BCE**: [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) defeats a [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) at the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Metaurus.
- **206 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) wins the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Ilipa in Spain.
- **206 BCE - 205 BCE**: The Romans [conquer](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) [Gades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gades/). End of the Carthaginian presence on the Iberian Peninsula.
- **204 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) sails to North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/) in the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/).
- **204 BCE - 203 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) wins two battles and besieges [Utica](https://www.worldhistory.org/Utica/) in North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/).
- **203 BCE**: Carthaginian commander Mago is unable to join forces with [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) and his army is defeated in Cisalpine [Gaul](https://www.worldhistory.org/gaul/).
- **203 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) attacks the two camps of Syphax and Gisgo in North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/) and destroys their armies.
- **203 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) defeats a [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) led by Hasdrubal in North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/).
- **203 BCE**: [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) is recalled from [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) to defend [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) against [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/).
- **19 Oct 202 BCE**: [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Zama: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) defeats [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/), ending the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/).
- **150 BCE**: A [Carthaginian army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Carthaginian_Army/) attacks Numidia, breaking the peace treaty agreed with [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) and sparking the [Third Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Third_Punic_War/).
- **149 BCE**: [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) sends an army of 80,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry to attack [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/).
- **149 BCE - 146 BCE**: [Third Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Third_Punic_War/).
- **148 BCE**: The [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) siege of [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/), in its second year, remains unsuccessful.
- **147 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) the Younger takes over command of the siege of [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) and builds a mole to block its harbour.
- **146 BCE**: [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) the Younger sacks [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) and enslaves its population.

## Questions & Answers

### What were the Punic Wars?
The Punic Wars were a series of conflicts between Carthage and Rome between 264-146 BCE. Rome won all three wars. 

### What does "Punic" mean in The Punic Wars?
"Punic" comes from the Latin "Punicus" which was the Roman word for Phoenicians and the Carthaginians were considered Phoenicians. Since Roman authors wrote the history of the wars, they were called Punic Wars because they felt Carthage started them. 

### Who won the Punic Wars?
Rome won all three Punic Wars and, after the third, Carthage was destroyed. 

### What are the dates of the Punic Wars?
The First Punic War: 264-241 BCE; The Second Punic War: 218-201 BCE; The Third Punic War: 149-146 BCE.

### What was the cause of the Punic Wars?
The Punic Wars were caused by the competing interests of Carthage and Rome. Carthage controlled the Mediterranean and Rome was expanding, bringing the two into conflict. 


## External Links

- [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViabwPbCTJ0)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Mark, J. J. (2018, April 18). Punic Wars. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Punic\_Wars/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Punic_Wars/)
### Chicago
Mark, Joshua J.. "Punic Wars." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 18, 2018. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Punic\_Wars/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Punic_Wars/).
### MLA
Mark, Joshua J.. "Punic Wars." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Apr 2018, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Punic\_Wars/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Punic_Wars/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Joshua J. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/JPryst/ "User Page: Joshua J. Mark"), published on 18 April 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.