I entreat my readers to take the trouble to read my posts concerning the two preceding wars (Punic Wars, I &2) between the arch-enemies, Carthage and Rome, which finally culminated in the 'Third Punic War' (149 BC to 146 BC). To be honest, information about these wars is scattered across several posts, and, from memory, none of them is titled 'First & Second Punic War'. However, if you search with these terms, you will find relevant posts. Also, searching using 'Hannibal', 'Hamilcar', 'Scipio Africanus' and 'Zama' should reveal kindred posts buried deep within the arcane archives of this decidedly odd blog. Some knowledge of these great conflicts will benefit the reader and help in the understanding of why these vastly different nations became embroiled in a 'life and death' struggle to the bitter end.
The three wars fought between these two dominant ancient Mediterranean civilisations were, in hindsight, inevitable, and, believe it or not, we are still dealing with the aftereffects 2,000 years later. The outcome of this struggle, spanning over 100 years, has had overriding consequences for the development of Western Civilisation, yet it is rarely part of the high school curriculum. This is a wicked shame, as there is much to learn and assimilate from this critical 118-year period in history.
The Carthaginians have largely been erased from history. For this, we can blame the Romans. The Romans had many enemies during their rise as a Mediterranean power and the subsequent establishment of their mighty Empire. Of all the foes, there was one that during Rome's march to greatness came close to ending their ascent. At the hands of this enemy, Rome suffered catastrophes that would have destroyed any other nation. However, Rome weathered this series of calamitous defeats, survived, thrived, and would eventually exact a cruel revenge, culminating in the eradication of her once most formidable adversary, the Carthaginians. However, today, if you ask the 'man' in the street if they can name a single Carthaginian, they would fail. If prompted (or poked with a pointed stick) with the clue 'Ancient General and Elephants', there might be a 'light bulb' moment, hence the exclamation 'Hannibal'. This is a shame on several levels. Firstly, it reveals the woeful lack of education in the average 'man on the street'. But it also unveils that the Carthaginians were not particularly imaginative in their naming protocol. The majority of Carthaginians mentioned in the ancient literature were named accordingly: Hamilcar, Hannibal, Hadsdrubal, Mago, Himlico, Carthalo, Gisgo, Hanno, and Malchus. These are men's names, and I bet over 95% of Carthaginian men mentioned in ancient accounts had one of these very uninspired and limited list of monikers. Not a Gary or Kevin amongst the lot.
Back to Being Sensible
Tyre, in what is now Lebanon, has been continuously inhabited for over 4,000 years. The city thrived in the Bronze Age and became a dominant seafaring power of the region. During the early 9th century BC, Tyre founded Carthage (Qart Hadash- 'New City') on the coast of North Africa. Other colonies would follow and dot the north African coastline. The cities were never politically unified, but shared a language and culture, and would come to each other's aid in times of need, except when they didn't.
By the 5th century BC, Carthage and Greece were the dominant powers of the Mediterranean region. Predictably, the Carthaginians and the Greeks clashed, and battles were fought for the control of the island of Sicily. By the time of the 1st Punic War (264 BC-241 BC), the Carthaginians held the western end of the island, while the Greeks controlled the eastern end.
With the expansion of Roman power into the Greek-controlled regions of southern Italy (Magna Graecia), a clash between the Romans and the Greek city of Tarantum was assured. A sometime Macedonian king, sometime freebooter, Pyrrhus of Epirus and his army were invited by the beleaguered city (Pyrrhic War, 280 BC-275 BC) to come to their aid against the encroaching and pesky Romans. Phyrrus envisioned an easy victory ahead with booty akimbo. And thus he interfered and, at first, won a series of battles against the Romans, but at great cost. He was reported to have said: "Another victory like this, and I will be going home alone". Eventually, Pyrrhus was defeated, and he returned to Greece with his much-depleted army to cause mischief as he saw fit, and subsequently met his end after being hit on the noggin by a roof tile in the Greek city of Argos.
In 264 BC, the Romans were invited to meddle in Sicilian affairs. Once there, the Romans came into conflict with Carthage. The war between the nations dragged on for 23 years, resulting in the defeat of Carthage. Sicily was annexed and became a Roman province. Smarting from defeat, the Carthaginians vowed revenge. But before this aggression could be carried out, they faced the problem of paying the war indemnity imposed by the victors. This would be achieved by expanding their presence in Spain. Spain was not only a lucrative source of silver but also supplied the Carthaginian armies with tough Spanish tribesmen.
After a peace lasting 23 years, the Carthaginians felt strong enough to challenge Rome for a second bout. The treaty imposed by Rome after the First War had deprived the Carthaginians of most of their navy, making an attack by sea difficult. By 218 BC, the Carthaginians had established a strong position in Spain and, more importantly, had assembled a formidable army under a relatively new and untried commander named Hannibal Barca. Hannibal did the unthinkable and invaded Italy by land after marching his army across the Alps. What Hannibal did in that fateful year would initiate the Second Punic War (218 BC to 202 BC), alter the course of history, and establish a legend. His tale is told in this blog. Those who seek will find.
After 16 years of causing havoc, Hannibal and his diminishing army had been corralled into southern Italy. After a Roman army landed in North Africa, the Carthaginians recalled Hannibal. Sadly for Hannibal, most of his horses, and therefore the power of his cavalry arm, could not be taken. To deny this valuable asset to the Romans, they were slaughtered. It is hard to imagine the horror experienced by the troops, as these beautiful, trusting, and beloved beyond measure animals were sacrificed on the altar of expediency.
The battle of Zama (202 BC) sealed Carthage's fate. Carthage had become a vassal state to Roman power. The indemnity was oppressive, payable in grain and silver over 30 years. In addition, Spain became a Roman province. The Carthaginians could no longer exercise their power to go to war unless sanctioned by Rome. But regardless of provocation, Rome was in no mood to be kind to their defeated enemy. And provocations were plenty as Massinisa, the Numidian king, chipped away at Carthaginian lands to provide fertile land for his people. The only resort for the vanquished was to appeal to Rome. Roman Commisions came aplenty over the years to assess and adjudicate. But predictably, the Romans almost always sided with their longtime ally, the Numidians.
By 197 BC, Carthage had had enough, and its army engaged the Numidians in battle. The Carthaginians were worsted. But in the Roman eyes, they broke the treaty, and they were itching for a pretext to finally destroy their once formidable enemy. Instead of a commission, an army was sent to the North African shore. Delegations from Carthage nervously approached the Roman host and petitioned for clemency. The Romans were implacable and demanded that all arms of war be handed over and that they await further instructions. The desperate and wretched Carthaginians complied and awaited their fate in abject helplessness. Finally, Rome announced: "The citizens of Carthage were to leave their city and settle in the hinterland. They were not allowed to settle on the coast". Rome had struck the death knell for the Punic people. Finally, Hannibal's depredations were to be atoned for. The city, which had flourished for 700 years, was to be pillaged and destroyed. These conditions were too harsh, and predictably, the Carthaginians chose to fight to the death. They were under no illusions concerning the outcome. Better to die fighting for the city they loved than suffer an ignoble death at the hands of the environment and the barbaric Numidians. Rome was always quick to accuse the Carthaginians of 'Punic Faith' (Punica Fides), but on this occasion, it seems the Romans were quick to illustrate a degree of perfidy unbefitting their supposed rigid adherence to treaty protocol and fairness.
And thus we see the beginning of the Third Punic War. The last conflict between these two disparate nations. The final clash of arms, resulting in the eradication of Carthaginian power, was about to be fought: The death ride of the Punic Nation.
The next post in this compelling, nay, gripping saga, will continue sometime soon. It will detail the war as it unfolded. It is a story of stark necessity, of heroism borne of fortitude, cruelty borne of desperation, and finally a very human response to finality. We should all read and weep, because someday we may become Carthage.
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