Essay On The Carthaginian Empire

Introduction

The Carthaginian Empire had a strong hold in North African and modern Spain from 575 B.C.E. to 146 B.C.E under the control of Carthage city-state, after the fall of Tyre to Babylon. (newworldenclopydia.org n.d). At the height of her influence, the empire included western Mediterranean Sea; they were at constant struggle for supremacy with the Roman Republic which led to series of conflicts known as Punic Wars. Carthaginian warlord Hannibal is regarded as the greatest military warlord in history. The Carthaginian had a long battle for supremacy with the Roman both in sea and on land which ended with the roman becoming hegemonic power at the time. In this essay, I will give a brief analysis of how Carthage almost became equal in power with Rome; highlight their strengths and the conflict that led to Rome becoming a naval power.

Body.

Rome was already world power after defeating the Latins, Samnites and Etruscans; they had acquired a great deal of strength and experience from the long battle with the aforementioned

264) in Sicily for the control and possession of the Sicily island. For what looked like a local quarrel turn to a combat fight between tow heavy powers. Carthage was in control of Sicily in 260s which was of no interest to Rome but a complicated little dispute arose in Messana in 264 and one side appealed to Carthage while the other to Rome but which seemed like a local quarrel turned was the origin of the fist Punic war. Arlima.net (n.d) . Carthage a naval power defeated the Romans on sea battle but the Romans under the leadership of Appius Claudius reinforced and by 241 Carthage were exhausted and subsequently defeated, they sued for peace and were given harsh terms, though unconquered their merchants continue to generate wealth for the state. Arlima.net (n.d ). This outcome of this was the first step of Romans