Difference between revisions of "First Punic War"
Double Edge (talk | contribs) (New page: The First Punic War was a pair of battle fought by the Romans. Rome conquered Sicily and managed to build a basic navy. They were outmatched by the Carthaginian Navy. However the Romans us...) |
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| − | The First Punic War was | + | {{Military conflict |
| + | | image = | ||
| + | | conflict =First Punic War | ||
| + | | partof = | ||
| + | | date =264–241 BC | ||
| + | | location =North Africa and [[Roman Republic]] | ||
| + | | combatant1 =[[Roman Republic]] | ||
| + | | combatant2 =[[Ancient Carthage]] | ||
| + | | commander1 =Marcus Atilius Regulus<br/>Gaius Lutatius Catulus | ||
| + | | commander2 =Hamilcar Barca | ||
| + | | strength1 = | ||
| + | | strength2 = | ||
| + | | casualties1 =255,000 | ||
| + | | casualties2 =130,000 | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | The '''First Punic War''' (264 B.C. to 241 B.C.) was between the growing power of [[Roman Republic|Rome]] and the established empire of [[Carthage]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Setting the Stage== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Carthage was situated in northern Africa but was renowned for its powerful merchant fleets throughout most of the [[Mediterranean]] for centuries. Rome had secured the Italian peninsula through the might of its armies. The nearby large island of [[Sicily]] was a natural place for Rome to expand. Carthage had been active in Sicily for quite some time and considered the island to be part of its sphere of influence. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The leaders of the Mamertines of Messana, engaged in war with [[Hiero II]] of [[Syracuse]] in Sicily (265 B.C.), sent for assistance for Carthage to aid them in their struggle. Carthage had a long history of conflict with Syracuse over Sicily. Carthage answered the call. At the same time another Mamertine faction had asked Rome to help out against Syracuse. Carthage came and set up shop in Messana, but the Romans arrived and drove then out. Carthage and Hiero II then made an alliance and together besieged the Romans, but were repelled by a Roman army under Appius Caldius Caudex (264 B.C.). Caudex then besieged Syracuse, but was also unsuccessful. Nevertheless, Roman successes under Marcus Valerius Maximus against other areas in eastern Sicily caused Hiero II to make peace and support an alliance with Rome against Carthage, at least in name (263 B.C.). The minor players were out of the way. The stage had now been set for a battle of the titans between Rome and Carthage. The war would continue for over 20 years. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==The War== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Terms== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The disaster forced Carthage to make peace, even under harsh terms, after first crucifying [[Hanno]]. Carthage agreed to evacuate Sicily and to pay Rome 3,200 gold talents (hundreds of millions in today's dollars) over a period of 10 years. Rome permitted [[Syracuse]] to retain control over eastern Sicily, but organized Sicily as its first overseas province. Rome was coming into its own. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Sources== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979 | ||
| + | * An Encyclopedia of World History, Kingston Press, 1946 | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Wars]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:00, December 11, 2013
| First Punic War | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Part of | ||
| Date | 264–241 BC | |
| Location | North Africa and Roman Republic | |
| Combatants | ||
| Roman Republic | Ancient Carthage | |
| Commanders | ||
| Marcus Atilius Regulus Gaius Lutatius Catulus |
Hamilcar Barca | |
| Strength | ||
| Casualties | ||
| 255,000 | 130,000 | |
The First Punic War (264 B.C. to 241 B.C.) was between the growing power of Rome and the established empire of Carthage.
Setting the Stage
Carthage was situated in northern Africa but was renowned for its powerful merchant fleets throughout most of the Mediterranean for centuries. Rome had secured the Italian peninsula through the might of its armies. The nearby large island of Sicily was a natural place for Rome to expand. Carthage had been active in Sicily for quite some time and considered the island to be part of its sphere of influence.
The leaders of the Mamertines of Messana, engaged in war with Hiero II of Syracuse in Sicily (265 B.C.), sent for assistance for Carthage to aid them in their struggle. Carthage had a long history of conflict with Syracuse over Sicily. Carthage answered the call. At the same time another Mamertine faction had asked Rome to help out against Syracuse. Carthage came and set up shop in Messana, but the Romans arrived and drove then out. Carthage and Hiero II then made an alliance and together besieged the Romans, but were repelled by a Roman army under Appius Caldius Caudex (264 B.C.). Caudex then besieged Syracuse, but was also unsuccessful. Nevertheless, Roman successes under Marcus Valerius Maximus against other areas in eastern Sicily caused Hiero II to make peace and support an alliance with Rome against Carthage, at least in name (263 B.C.). The minor players were out of the way. The stage had now been set for a battle of the titans between Rome and Carthage. The war would continue for over 20 years.
The War
Terms
The disaster forced Carthage to make peace, even under harsh terms, after first crucifying Hanno. Carthage agreed to evacuate Sicily and to pay Rome 3,200 gold talents (hundreds of millions in today's dollars) over a period of 10 years. Rome permitted Syracuse to retain control over eastern Sicily, but organized Sicily as its first overseas province. Rome was coming into its own.
Sources
- Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979
- An Encyclopedia of World History, Kingston Press, 1946