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Punic Wars

The Punic Wars, were a series of three devastating conflicts fought between  Rome and Carthage in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. These wars were among the  most significant and transformative events in ancient history, shaping the  political, economic, and cultural landscape of the Mediterranean world and  ultimately leading to the downfall of Carthage and the rise of Rome as the  dominant superpower of the ancient world.

The Punic Wars were marked by epic battles,  legendary military commanders, and political intrigues, and their legacy can  still be felt today in the form of Roman culture, law, and language.

In this section, we will explore the  causes, events, and outcomes of the Punic Wars, from the first conflict in 264  BC to the final destruction of Carthage in 146 BC. We will examine the military  strategies and tactics employed by both sides, the role of key figures such as  Hannibal, Scipio Africanus, and Cato the Elder, and the impact of the wars on  the social, economic, and political fabric of the ancient world. Join us as we  delve into the dramatic and complex history of the Punic Wars and discover how  they shaped the course of ancient history.

Battering ram dating to the Battle of the Aegates recovered near Sicily.
27 August, 2024 - 20:33 Gary Manners

Bronze Battering Ram from the Battle of the Aegates Recovered

The azure waters off the coast of Sicily, location of the ancient clash between Rome and Carthage, continue to yield their secrets. In the latest archaeological campaign conducted in August, a team...
War elephants in attack. Source: Gasi/Adobe Stock
8 August, 2024 - 14:57 ancient origins

Romans Were Terrified by War Elephants… at First

Imagine, for a moment, you are a Roman soldier at war. In the midst of battle, you are confronted with an enormous and loudly trumpeting creature you’ve never seen before. It appears to have sharp...
AI image of the Roman Republic
31 May, 2024 - 21:20 Robbie Mitchell

Visualizing Republican Rome's Splendor (Video)

Republican Rome , emerging from the ashes of monarchy, left a tangible legacy in the landscape of ancient Italy. With the expulsion of kings in 509 BC, Rome sought to carve its own identity. Temples...
AI image of the Roman Republic. Source: Alfaza503/Adobe Stock
31 May, 2024 - 00:55 Robbie Mitchell

Visualizing Republican Rome's Splendor (Video)

​ Republican Rome , emerging from the ashes of monarchy, left a tangible legacy in the landscape of ancient Italy. With the expulsion of kings in 509 BC, Rome sought to carve its own identity...
Plague in an Ancient City by Michiel Sweerts. Source: Public Domain
13 December, 2023 - 00:54 Robbie Mitchell

Most Common Causes of Death in Ancient Rome and Greece (Video)

Life in ancient Greece and Rome was far from the glamorous tales we envision. High mortality rates were fueled by childbirth perils, with poor sanitation contributing to infant mortality. Malaria, an...
The journey of Hannibal, a strategic genius whose audacity and brilliance reshaped the course of ancient history during the Second Punic War.
9 December, 2023 - 16:00 Robbie Mitchell

The Story of Hannibal: The Nightmare of the Roman Empire (Video)

In the tapestry of ancient conflicts, the clash between Rome and Carthage etches a defining chapter. Carthage, a maritime power commanding critical Mediterranean trade routes, resisted Rome's...
Modern Carthage sea view with ancient Carthage ruins in foreground. Source: Valery Bareta /Adobe Stock
1 December, 2023 - 01:00 Robbie Mitchell

How Carthage Became One of History’s Greatest Empires (Video)

Carthage's rise, often eclipsed by its tragic fall during the Punic Wars against Rome, unfolds as a tale of strategic brilliance and adaptability. Founded in modern-day Tunisia , the city...
Ancient city of Dougga. Unesco World Heritage Site in Tunisia. Source: Konstantin Aksenov/Adobe Stock
25 May, 2023 - 22:58 Robbie Mitchell

Uncovering the Wonders of Dougga: A City that Embodies the Spirit of the Roman Empire in Africa

The ancient city of Dougga, found in present-day Tunisia, stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Roman Empire in Africa. With its numerous temples, theaters, and triumphal arches...
Roman ship ramming a Carthaginian ship. Naval battles were key in the First Punic War. Source: Massimo Todaro/Adobe Stock
22 May, 2023 - 22:56 Robbie Mitchell

Rome vs. Carthage: The First Punic War and the Birth of a Superpower

The First Punic War was a brutal conflict that pitted two of the greatest powers of the ancient world against each other. With the might of Rome on one side and the naval supremacy of Carthage on the...
Replica of the Sarcophagus of Scipio Barbatus at the Scipios Tomb.
17 April, 2017 - 02:01 Natalia Klimczak

Hannibal’s Conqueror Brings Everlasting Glory to the Scipios Family Tomb

A monument created for one man stands in the heart of Rome, but it became an eternal house for his entire family. The remarkable construction conceals the secrets of generations of people whose fame...
Top of a Roman helmet from the Battle of the Egadi Islands
1 August, 2019 - 22:59 johnblack

Fascinating Artifacts from the Battle of the Egadi Islands are Pulled from the Depths

Underwater archaeologists have recovered a treasure trove of artifacts off the coast of Sicily from the site of the first ancient naval battle ever discovered , including warship rams, helmets, armor...
Slaves working in a mine. Corinthian terracotta plaque painting, 5th century BC.
18 May, 2018 - 22:58 ancient-origins

Ice-Core Study Finds Evidence of Ancient European Plagues, Wars, and Imperial Expansion

To learn about the rise and fall of ancient European civilizations, researchers sometimes find clues in unlikely places: deep inside of the Greenland ice sheet, for example. Thousands of years ago,...
One of the naval Roman battering rams being hoisted from the sea near Ustica Island, Italy. Source: RPM Nautical Foundation
1 September, 2021 - 18:55 ashley cowie

Divers Find Four Naval Roman Battering Rams From the 241 BC Punic War

Four ancient bronze Roman battering rams, the kind used at the front of a battleship, have been discovered by divers near Ustica Island, north of Palermo, Italy. These rare artifacts of ancient naval...
Hannibal: The Carthaginian General Who Took on the Romans
12 June, 2021 - 22:55 dhwty

Hannibal: The Carthaginian General Who Took on the Romans

Hannibal Barca was a Carthaginian general who lived between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC. He is perhaps best remembered for his military campaign against the Romans in the Second Punic War. Thanks to...
The Battle of Zama. Source: Art Institute of Chicago / Public domain
8 February, 2020 - 17:35 dhwty

When Hannibal Met His Nemesis: The Battle of Zama

The Battle of Zama was a decisive battle of the Second Punic War (also known as the Hannibalic War, or the War Against Hannibal), which was fought between Rome and Carthage. The battle was won by the...
2,000-Year-Old Punic-Era Tomb Accidentally Found in Malta
2 June, 2021 - 18:38 Sahir

2,000-Year-Old Punic-Era Tomb Accidentally Found in Malta

The archipelago of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea in southern Europe, is a place of mystique and wonder. With a rich history that commences with human occupation in 5,900 BC, archaeologists have now...
The Great Berber Kingdom of Numidia in the Shadow of Rome
20 January, 2021 - 00:46 Aleksa Vučković

The Great Berber Kingdom of Numidia in the Shadow of Rome

The ancient Romans placed a lot of the world under their heel and into their sphere of influence. Numerous cultures, nations, and civilizations fell in their wake. Centuries of blossoming was...
Carthaginian infanticide
22 January, 2014 - 04:15 aprilholloway

Carthaginian infanticide not just Roman propaganda

Recent research revealed that the Carthaginians really did kill their own infant children , a practice once dismissed as just ancient Greek and Roman propaganda. Ancient Carthage was a Semitic...