279 B.C., Phyrrus and Carthage:
Phyrrus, allies with Rome in 279 B.C.
The Greek cities in Italy also had been constantly under attack but by the Lucanians and Bruttians. One city though named Tarentum, an old ally of Rome, was being attacked by them since Rome already had made themselves a major power. So Tarentum decided to seek help from Epirus. The help the Tarentines received was from Pyrrhus who saw the opportunity to make an empire for himself. So him transferred his army there to fight off the invading Romans.
Pyrrhus won the war but at a cost of losing several of his good men. He had these big plans for having an empire that were soon crushed and realizing that he had dug himself a hole and couldn't get out, he fled to the island of Sicily after Carthage, the other major power in the Mediterranean, made an alliance with Rome. But soon, he had to leave Sicily and as he did, he foresaw the Punic Wars and told his men, "We leave a wrestling ground for Rome and Carthage."
Pyrrhus won the war but at a cost of losing several of his good men. He had these big plans for having an empire that were soon crushed and realizing that he had dug himself a hole and couldn't get out, he fled to the island of Sicily after Carthage, the other major power in the Mediterranean, made an alliance with Rome. But soon, he had to leave Sicily and as he did, he foresaw the Punic Wars and told his men, "We leave a wrestling ground for Rome and Carthage."
264 B.C., The First Punic War;
First Punic War in 264 B.C.
Tensions were growing between Carthage and Rome slowly as other areas around them asked for help from attacks. Pyhrrus returned to Italy again, determined to crush the Romans, only to be met in battle with a superior army.
Finally, the tension between Carthage and Rome exploded and the First Punic War came to be in 264 B.C. Some of the areas previously attacked by pirates aided Rome who won most of the battles. Then, in 241 B.C. Carthage fell, underwent a severe treaty that they soon breached, bringing forth the Second Punic War; even though both didn't want another blood war.
Finally, the tension between Carthage and Rome exploded and the First Punic War came to be in 264 B.C. Some of the areas previously attacked by pirates aided Rome who won most of the battles. Then, in 241 B.C. Carthage fell, underwent a severe treaty that they soon breached, bringing forth the Second Punic War; even though both didn't want another blood war.
218 B.C., The Second Punic War
The Second Punic War in 218 B.C.
Evidently, Rome grew territorial wise. In the twenty-three years since the First Punic War, Rome had conquered the whole peninsula of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and the southern part of modern-day Spain and France.
But Carthage is still a massive empire, controlling most of Nort Africa. After breaching the previous treaty from the First Punic War, they brought forth the next war and fought again in 218 B.C. And the leader of Carthage's army? Hannibal Barca. But Rome crushed his army in Spain, gaining that southern part and in 203 B.C. Scipio, Rome's leader, went straight into Carthage territory to take control. Hannibal realized his empire was slowly disappearing even though he had won most of the battles. So finally, in 202 B.C. he surrended immediately.
But Carthage is still a massive empire, controlling most of Nort Africa. After breaching the previous treaty from the First Punic War, they brought forth the next war and fought again in 218 B.C. And the leader of Carthage's army? Hannibal Barca. But Rome crushed his army in Spain, gaining that southern part and in 203 B.C. Scipio, Rome's leader, went straight into Carthage territory to take control. Hannibal realized his empire was slowly disappearing even though he had won most of the battles. So finally, in 202 B.C. he surrended immediately.
9 A.D., Period of Augustus
Rome's empire in 9 A.D. during Augustus period
Rome's territory increased drastically by 9 A.D. as the Roman empire neared it's height. Carthage had been defeated several hundred years before and Rome controlled all of modern-day Spain, France and Germany, down along the coast and to Greece and over to the parts of the Black Sea. Making up the southern border, the northern parts of modern-day Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Rome controls the Mediterranean and will expand even more. By 116 A.D., it will beat the height of it's power.
116 A.D. At the Height of Power
Rome at it's height of power in 116 A.D.
Rome has grown ten times it's size from when it started. In a 107 years after Augustus, Rome has added the lower half of Britain, it's northern border the Hadrian Wall. Still occupying modern-day Spain, France and Germany, it controls most of the Black Sea now and has reached as far as the Caspain Sea in the east. Also reaching as far as the Red Sea, it now controls present-day Syria and Jerusalem. And adding to the southern border of the Roman empire, the rest of northern Africa bordering the Mediterranean.
Rome is now officially the strongest and richest empire.
Rome is now officially the strongest and richest empire.