Sage-Tips

Why did Rome and Carthage fight over the Mediterranean sea?

The fighting, which consisted predominantly of naval warfare, largely took place on the waters of the Mediterranean surrounding Sicily. The conflict began because Rome’s imperial ambitions had been interfering with Carthage’s ownership claims of the island of Sicily.

What did the Romans decide was the only way they could drive the Carthaginians out of Sicily?

After four years of fighting, the Romans decided the only way to drive the Carthaginians out of Sicily was to build their own fleet of ships. In 264 B.C.E, the Romans captured a Carthaginian ship in battle. They lost a huge battle in North Africa, and many of their ships were lost in a storm.

Why did Hannibal cross the Alps instead of going by sea to attack Rome?

Their commander Hannibal marched his troops, including cavalry and African war elephants, across a high pass in the Alps to strike at Rome itself from the north of the Italian peninsula. The Romans had presumed that the Alps created a secure natural barrier against invasion of their homeland.

What disadvantage did Rome have when fighting the Carthaginians?

By immobilizing the other ship, and attaching it to their own, the Romans could manipulate a sea engagement through the strategies of a land battle. Even so, they lacked the expertise at sea of the Carthaginians and, more importantly, were lacking a general with the skill of the Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca.

What advantages did Carthage have over Rome?

Although both countries were comparable in military power and economic strength the two nations had different military advantages: Carthage had a strong naval power while Rome had almost no naval power, but had a stronger ground force.

How did the Carthaginians build their empire?

The Carthaginian trading ships sailed daily to ports all around the Mediterranean Sea while their navy, supreme in the region, kept them safe and, also, opened new territories for trade and resources through conquest as the Carthaginians built their empire.

Did Hannibal actually cross the Alps with elephants?

In 218 BC, 28-year old Hannibal, his soldiers, and his 37 African battle elephants marched from southern Spain to the plains of northern Italy – but took an unexpected route. Instead of following the coastline or going by sea, he crossed the Alps, to the surprise of the Roman Empire army.

What advantages and disadvantages did Rome and Carthage possess?

How did the Romans defeat the Carthaginians?

In 147 bce, the Roman senate sent a new commander, Scipio Aemilianus, with orders to take the city by storm. He defeated the Carthaginian field army and built a mole to block the city’s harbor. The end came in the spring of 146 bce after the besiegers made a breach in the city walls.