264 B.C.E. to 146 B.C.E.
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What happens after the Punic Wars?
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Throughout the time of Rome's second expansion, they will endure three ferocious Punic Wars against a powerful city-state name Carthage. Carthage controlled most of Spain, North Africa and Sicily. At the beginning of the war the Carthage held most of North Africa, Spain and trade in the Mediterranean Sea. When Rome was conquering these cities it was Destine for them to fight the Carthage. The first Punic War was fought primarily at sea, the Carthage had a powerful navy but the Romans beat them by copying the Carthage ship designs and improving them. The second war occurs 23 years later. The Carthage tried a hard assault on the city by moving their army from Spain over the alps and attacking Rome. Hannibal and his men fought for 15 years in Italy. in 202 B.C.E., the Carthage had to return home due to an attack by the Romana. Carthage will end up getting defeated and ending the second Punic War. For fifty years there was peace between the Romans and Carthage but a Roman senator demanded that Carthage be burned down. Rome attacked Carthage killing many people and selling others to become slaves.
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The Punic Wars greatly expanded Roman power, territory and influence. However, not everyone was happy. Many young men on each side had died in battle. Hannibal and his men had destroyed countless amounts of farms while other farms would be neglected when their owners went off to fight. By the time they came back, Rome was now importing grain from Sicily and other places. Large estates began to replace small farms and raise livestock. Many of the poor had to sell their land because they could not compete with the rich. Many new ideas and customs came from Greece. Many wealthy Romans built Greek style houses and nice temples.
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*All units are in B.C.E., Not up to scale*