Siege of Carthage, 146BC
SIEGE OF CARTHAGE 146BC SUMMARY The siege of Carthage was the final blow of the Punic Wars, with Rome systematically destroying the city after a three-year siege. BACKGROUND Carthage had suffered a series of military and political defeats in the years since the Second Punic War, which left it vulnerable to attack. Sensing weakness, Rome […]
Battle of Cannae, 216BC
BATTLE OF CANNAE SUMMARY The Battle of Cannae is one of the most famous engagements of the ancient world. Hannibal had successfully crossed into Italy and decisively defeated Rome’s armies at Trebia and Lake Trasimene. Rome raised a new army and met the Carthaginian army in pitched battle. The Carthaginian army managed to surround and […]
Battle of Lake Trasimene, 217BC
THE BATTLE OF LAKE TRASIMENE 217BC SUMMARY The Battle of Lake Trasimene was a brutally successful ambush, with Hannibal’s forces all but annihilating 30,000 Romans in a matter of hours. The battle caused the Romans to have a new respect for Hannibal’s strength and military prowess, and caused them to avoid direct engagements in the […]
The Battle of Tunis, 255BC
THE BATTLE OF TUNIS 255BC SUMMARY After a series of victories in Sicily, Rome began a campaign to attack Carthage directly. Carthage raised a large mercenary force in response, and successfully repelled the Romans from Africa. BACKGROUND Rome had invaded Africa the previous year, and Carthage itself was under threat. Carthage quickly raised a powerful […]
The Battle of Agrigentum, 262BC
THE BATTLE OF AGRIGENTUM 262BC SUMMARY The Battle or Agrigentum was the first engagement of the Punic Wars. Vying for control of Sicily, the Romans successfully laid siege to the city of Agrigentum and soundly defeated Carthaginian reinforcements. BACKGROUND Rome and Carthage had slowly been building their forces in Sicily while responding to local disputes. […]