Rome, dominating S. Italy, came into conflict with Carthage, a Semitic people of North Africa, a large trade-based empire, using a multinational force of mercenaries. Controlled Sardinia, had major colonies in Africa. Carthage was trying to dominate Sicily. Syracuse was leading power in Sicily.
 

Messana invited the Carthiginians to protect them against the aggressions of Hiero of Syracuse. Then they asked the Romans for help in 264. The Assembly, although Senate was reluctant, agreed. 2 legions cross straits, occupied Messana. Hiero first allied himself with the Carthiginians against Rome, became a loyal Roman ally, first ‘client’ kingdom.

Because of initial lack of real success, Rome built first fleet (260) Had the corvus, a boarding plank. Huge naval battles at Mylae (260), Cape Encomus (256) . Roman victories allowed them to invade Africa. Regulus lands, and gets near Carthage. He is defeated in a battle in 255, taken prisoner. A Roman fleet sent to rescue him was destroyed in a storm -- 250 ships lost.

Last phase of war. After 13 years, and building one last fleet, the Carthigian holdings on Sicily are taken. Carthage negotiates peace in 241, has to give up possessions in Sicily, pay money. Most of Sicily (Syracuse excepted ) and became Rome’s first overseas province ­ the real beginning of Empire

When Carthage was putting down a revolt of its mercenaries, Rome took advantage by supporting the rebels and stealing Sardinia and Corsica from Carthage -- a violation of faith. They became a new province, governed by a praetor. A provincia was originally a sphere of military command, and that is origin of Roman system of control of provinces.

Second Punic War

One of the great Carthigian generals was Hamilcar Barca (the Thunderbolt), who supposedly made his sons Hannibal and Hasubal swear to avenge their defeat. He substantially increased their holdings in Spain as did Hannibal. Hannibal apparently agreed in 226 not to cross Ebro river in Spain (and potentially threaten the Greek city of Massillia. But in 220 Hannibal moved south and threatened Sagentum, who appealed to Rome. In 219 Hannibal captured Saguntum. Rome responded, and war began in 218 - Rome’s most desperate struggle yet.

Hannibal surprised the Romans by crossing the Alps with troops and even elephants (218). He hoped that Northern cities of Italy, who got a raw deal from Rome, would revolt and join him. But they largely did not. After he crossed over with 26,000 men, he defeated Roman armies in 2 major battles (River Ticinus and Trebbia), which there were vast Roman losses.

Hannibal, in control of N. Italy, doubled size of army to 50,000. A ‘new man’ Flaminius is elected, but suffered a horrible defeat at Lake Trasimene, lost two Roman legions (217). Even though the way was open to Rome, Hannibal didn’t try to take Rome.

Fabius (the delayer) is appointed Dictator, and he fights small battles to ‘delay’ Hannibal and to give Rome time. The next year(216) two inexperience consuls suffer an even worse defeat at Cannae (over 20,000 killed). Delaying tactics taken up again.

Meanwhile the Scipios were active in Africa and kept the Carthaginians from aiding Hannibal. In 209 Publius Corneilius Scipio defeats Hasrubal (Hannibal’s brother) and drives him from Spain to Italy, but suffers a total defeat at Metaurus (209). Although the Italian cities, nearly broke, were beginning to defect, Hannibal retreats to Southern Italy and  marches around there for 4 years - some of the Greek cities support him.

Then Scipio, back from victory in Spain, persuades the Senate to let him take offensive in North Africa. This forces Hannibal to return to Carthage (204), and, in 202, Scipio defeats Hannibal at Zama. Carthage sues for peace, and must give up all its empire; Rome gets Spain. Numidia becomes a client Kingdom.

Gaining a further Overseas empire and the Conquest of Greece.

Did the Romans have a ‘grand strategy?" Soon the Romans were drawn in to fighting the Greeks. Philip V of Macedon had supported Hannibal (215), but he made peace with Romans in 205. But when the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom allied with Philip to conquer the Egyptian Ptolemies, other Greek cities appealed to Rome. War broke out in 200, Philip defeated at Cynoscephalae by Flamininus. Philip had to accept a more limited role in Greece, who were now ‘freed’ - to be ‘protected’ by Rome.

Hannibal had fled to the Seleucids, who stepped into Power vacuum. He moved into Greece, was defeated by Rome at Themopylae in 191, an in Asia Minor in 190.

In 170 Philip was succeed by son Perseus, and, although he wanted to be a friend to Rome, his attempt to increase Macedonian power led to another war, which Rome won. Macedon divided into 4 provinces.

In 150 a certain Andriscus announced he was the son of Perseus, launched a revolt again Rome, which led their total defeat in 148. Macedon made a Roman province.

Due to Rome’s rather high-handed intervention in Achaean League, a war breaks out and Corinth is destroyed by Memmius in 146.

That same year Carthage is destroyed in 3^rd Punic war which Cato the Censor had insisted upon, saying in every speech 'Carthage must be destroyed.'

Scipio Africanus supposedly weeps at ruin of Cathage -- no more enemies to keep Rome strong.