How Did Carthage Became Almost The Equal Of Rome
Writing Assignment 5
Trace how Carthage became almost the equal of Rome. Be sure to show the strength of both and how this conflict led to Rome becoming a naval power.
Carthage and Rome rose to prominence in the Mediterranean in the third Century BCE, as the Carthaginians broke away from the Phoenicians and developed a formidable sea and trading power in what is now modern day Tunisia. As the two powers grew, it was inevitable that conflict would emerge as they battled for supremacy of the central Mediterranean. The fundamental key to the growth of Carthage lay in its societal structures. These fundamental strengths and differences tended to drive both the nature of the growth of Carthage, as well as the downfall.
Superficially, the two governments …show more content…
The strength of the Carthaginians was in the exceptional leadership provided by this privileged few rather than the Roman approach of more inclusive and less elite citizen governance.
Over time, this resulted in the Roman's having a much deeper talent pool and engaged citizenry when faced with adversity or losses - while in good times, the Carthaginians could rely on their ruling elite to manage exceptionally well - but the lack of depth of talent began to impact the nation when the best soldiers and citizens were not able to govern or when faced with many challenges at once.
Carthage’s legacy having stemmed from Phoenicia led it to be a major naval and trading power. This naval excellence is what eventually drove the conflict with Rome. Between the boot of Ital, which had been subjugated by Rome and Carthage lay the independent island of Sicily. Strategically located in the central Mediterranean, it controlled the sea lanes east to west. Carthage had come to control the western end of the island, while the independent Kingdom of Syracuse was on the East. When war broke out on the island between Syracuse and a group of breakaway soldiers, Rome and Carthage began to take up sides. Rome, fearing additional Carthaginian expansion in their back yard, and Carthage to protect and expand their control on Sicily. It was this conflict that led to the first Punic War
Trace how Carthage became almost the equal of Rome. Be sure to show the strength of both and how this conflict led to Rome becoming a naval power.
Carthage and Rome rose to prominence in the Mediterranean in the third Century BCE, as the Carthaginians broke away from the Phoenicians and developed a formidable sea and trading power in what is now modern day Tunisia. As the two powers grew, it was inevitable that conflict would emerge as they battled for supremacy of the central Mediterranean. The fundamental key to the growth of Carthage lay in its societal structures. These fundamental strengths and differences tended to drive both the nature of the growth of Carthage, as well as the downfall.
Superficially, the two governments …show more content…
The strength of the Carthaginians was in the exceptional leadership provided by this privileged few rather than the Roman approach of more inclusive and less elite citizen governance.
Over time, this resulted in the Roman's having a much deeper talent pool and engaged citizenry when faced with adversity or losses - while in good times, the Carthaginians could rely on their ruling elite to manage exceptionally well - but the lack of depth of talent began to impact the nation when the best soldiers and citizens were not able to govern or when faced with many challenges at once.
Carthage’s legacy having stemmed from Phoenicia led it to be a major naval and trading power. This naval excellence is what eventually drove the conflict with Rome. Between the boot of Ital, which had been subjugated by Rome and Carthage lay the independent island of Sicily. Strategically located in the central Mediterranean, it controlled the sea lanes east to west. Carthage had come to control the western end of the island, while the independent Kingdom of Syracuse was on the East. When war broke out on the island between Syracuse and a group of breakaway soldiers, Rome and Carthage began to take up sides. Rome, fearing additional Carthaginian expansion in their back yard, and Carthage to protect and expand their control on Sicily. It was this conflict that led to the first Punic War