Delve into the intense clash between Rome and Carthage over Sicily, leading to full-scale war. Explore the desperate stand of Carthage in Sicily as they face financial ruin and strategic challenges. Witness the brutal Battle of the Saw and the harrowing fate of Mato in Carthage. Uncover Carthage's strategic shift to Spain under Hamilkar Barker.
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Quick takeaways
Rome's land army outmatched Carthage's maritime power in the First Punic War.
Mercenary war in Carthage showcased extreme brutalities by resentful forces.
Hamilcar strategically moved to Spain, laying the foundation for Hannibal's defiance against Rome.
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The First Punic War: Rome vs. Carthage for Sicily
The Greek writer Polybius recounts the intensity of the first war between Rome and Carthage, fought over control of Sicily. The conflict spans a lengthy duration, marked by fierce battles and shifting fortunes for both cities. Rome, emerging as an upstart power, challenges the established Carthaginians, leading to a volatile geopolitical landscape in the ancient Mediterranean.
Mercenary War and Atrocities in Carthage
A mercenary war unfolds in Carthage, characterized by extreme brutality and cruelties practiced by both sides. The mercenaries, resentful of Carthage's financial struggles and Roman interference, resort to heinous acts, including mutilations and sacrifices. The conflict culminates in a hideous climax as Hannibal, son of Hamilcar, becomes pivotal in the unfolding events.
Hamilcar's Strategic Move to Spain
Facing financial constraints and Roman pressures, Hamilcar devises a strategic move to Spain, a land rich in resources and potential for wealth. Prior to his departure, Hamilcar involves his son Hannibal in an oath of enmity toward the Romans, setting the stage for Hannibal's future exploits and the legacy of Carthaginian resistance against Rome.
Legacy of Hannibal and Rome's Greatest Enemy
Hannibal, the son of Hamilcar, continues his father's legacy by leading Carthage to a grand empire in Spain and eventually launching a military campaign against Rome itself. Hannibal's unforgettable invasion of Italy, including the famed crossing of the Alps with war elephants, brings Rome to the brink of disaster and establishes him as Rome's greatest adversary.
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In the third century BC, a clash which had been brewing for centuries finally erupted: Rome, the ruthless imperialist upstart dominating Italy, against Carthage, the ancient but sinister apex predator of the Mediterranean. The conflict sparked in Messina in 263 BC, and went on for over two decades, as the fortunes of both powers rose and fell. Rome’s superior, land-based army proved the perfect match to the Carthaginians’ maritime might, though both forces rapidly adapted to the expertise of their foe. By 250 BC, Carthage was embattled and flailing, and in need of a hero, to restore the fate of Carthage, and ensure her survival…
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the outbreak of the First Punic War, in which history’s greatest rivalry, Rome vs Carthage, finally came to blows. As the established power of Carthage was challenged by the rise of a new contender in Rome, but could either live in a world where the other survived?
*The Rest Is History LIVE in 2024*
Tom and Dominic are back onstage this summer, at Hampton Court Palace in London!