Rome After Punic Wars

Rome after the Punic Wars Rome after the Punic wars was quite different that Rome before the engagements with Carthage. Polybius once said, “There are only two sources from which any benefit can be derived; our own misfortunes and those that have happened to other men.” Nowhere is this more true that when speaking of Rome after Carthage. Before The Punic Wars Rome was relatively small when compared to the nearby rival of Carthage. Rome started expanding with its eyes first set on Sicily unfortunately it was loyal to Carthage. This first clash seemed an inevitable failure for Rome, however they triumphed. This set the stage for future expansion, Rome’s thirst for trade goods was quite healthy after all they had to maintain their population

War would be Rome’s primary tool for expansion, they learned swiftly to be defiant in the face of danger. Near the end of the trouble with Carthage they refused to surrender and in so doing they chose an uncertain future. History shows Rome triumphed in the end, Rome’s army was able to adapt to virtually every situation. “For while the Carthaginians entrust the preservation of their liberty to the care of venal troops; the Romans place all their confidence in their own bravery, and in the assistance of their allies. From hence it happens, that the Romans, though at first defeated, are always able to renew the war; […].” After Carthage Rome’s hunger for new lands was nearly insatiable, this perhaps was brought about by the very act of the long war with the Carthaginians. Changes were in store for Rome due to their now very war-like attitude. Changes in senate policy along with social order would reorganize Rome for the foreseeable future. Consuls and tribunes held positions in the senate, both of whom were strongly linked to the army therefore the senate would ultimately control the Roman army. “[…] the tribunes alone […] are subject to them, and bound to obey their commands.” Rome’s foreign policy lay with the senate and their military arm. “In all the preparations that are made for war, as well as in the whole administration in the field, they possess an almost absolute

Rome went on to conquer and settle Gaul, the Celts and traveled as far as the British Isles. Polybius states that many had mixed ideas of Rome, “[…] thus securing the supremacy for their own country---were the actions of sensible and far-sighted men. Others contradicted this, and asserted that the Romans had no such policy in view when they obtained their supremacy; and that they had gradually and insensibly become perverted to the same ambition for power, which had once characterized the Athenians and Lacedaemonians; and though they had advanced more slowly than these last, that they would from all appearances yet arrive at the same consummation.” Rome left an indelible mark upon the world that is still felt and heard today. Rome after the Punic Wars was very different than the Rome before the long