Causes of the Wars
What island did Rome and Carthage fight over in the 1st Punic War?
Sicily
What war involved a long naval struggle between Rome and Carthage?
The 1st Punic War
Who was the Roman general that defeated Hannibal?
Scipio Africanus
What empire became the strongest power in the Mediterranean after the Punic Wars?
Rome
What type of animal did Hannibal famously use in battle?
Elephants
Why did Rome fear Carthage before the wars?
Carthage had a powerful navy and controlled trade in the western Mediterranean.
What famous battle did Hannibal win by surrounding the Romans?
The Battle of Cannae
What Carthaginian general led an attack on Italy in the 2nd Punic War?
Hannibal
What happened to Carthage’s land after the 3rd Punic War?
Rome took over Carthage’s territory and made it a province.
What does the word “Punic” mean?
It comes from the Latin word for Phoenician, the people of Carthage.
What event caused Rome to declare war in the 2nd Punic War?
Carthage attacked a Roman ally in Spain.
What battle ended the 2nd Punic War?
The Battle of Zama
What Roman leader convinced the Senate to destroy Carthage?
Cato the Elder
What happened to the Carthaginian people after the 3rd Punic War?
Many were killed or enslaved.
What was Carthage known for before the wars?
It was a rich trading empire with a powerful navy.
Why did Rome attack Carthage in the 3rd Punic War?
Rome wanted to destroy Carthage completely and saw it as a threat.
How did Rome finally win the 1st Punic War?
Rome built a strong navy and defeated Carthage at sea.
What famous tactic did Hannibal use to cross into Italy?
He crossed the Alps with elephants.
What territory did Rome take from Carthage after the 2nd Punic War?
Spain
How did Rome improve its navy in the 1st Punic War?
They copied Carthaginian ship designs and added a boarding bridge (corvus).
What major power shift led to the Punic Wars?
Rome became the leader of Italy and wanted to stop Carthage from expanding.
What strategy did Rome use to win the 3rd Punic War?
Rome besieged Carthage for three years before destroying the city.
Who led Carthage in the 3rd Punic War before it was destroyed?
Hasdrubal
What major power shift happened after the Punic Wars?
Rome went from being a regional power to an empire.
What legend says Rome salted the earth after destroying Carthage?
It is a myth, but Rome did completely destroy the city.