page_title: History of Tunisia
section_title: Punic Wars with Rome
hierarchical_section_title: History of Tunisia / Carthage / Punic Wars with Rome
context_page_description: The present day Republic of Tunisia, al-Jumhuriyyah at-Tunisiyyah, is situated in Northern Africa. Geographically situated between Libya to the east, Algeria to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Tunis is the capital and the largest city; it is near the ancient site of the city of Carthage.
  Throughout its recorded history, the physical features and environment of the land of Tunisia have remained fairly constant, although during ancient times more abundant forests grew in the north, and earlier in prehistory the Sahara to the south was not an arid desert.
  The weather is temperate in the north, which enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild rainy winters and hot dry summers, the terrain being wooded and fertile. The Medjerda river valley is currently valuable farmland. Along the eastern coast the central plains enjoy a moderate climate with less rainfall but significant precipitation in the form of heavy dews; these coastlands are currently used for orchards and grazing. Near the mountainous Algerian border rises Jebel ech Chambi, the highest point in the country at 1544 meters. In the near south, a belt of salt lakes running east–west cuts across the country.
context_section_description: The emergence of the Roman Republic and its developing foreign interests led to sustained rivalry with Carthage for dominion of the western Mediterranean.  As early as 509 B.C. Carthage and Rome had entered into treaty status, but eventually their opposing positions led to disagreement, alienation, and conflict.
  The First Punic War (264–241) started in Sicily.  It developed into a naval war in which the Romans learned how to fight at sea and prevailed.  Carthage lost Sardinia and its western portion of Sicily. Following their defeat, the Mercenary revolt threatened the social order of Carthage, which they survived under their opposing leaders Hanno II the Great, and Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal.
  The Second Punic War (218–201) started over a dispute concerning Saguntum (near modern Valencia) in Hispania, from whence Hannibal Barca set out, leading his armies over the Alps into Italy.  At first Hannibal ("grace of Baal") won great military victories against Rome, at Trasimeno (217) and at Cannae (216), which came close to destroying Rome's ability to wage war.  Yet the majority of Rome's Italian allies remained loyal; Rome drew on all her resources and managed to rebuild her military strength. For many years Hannibal remained on campaign in southern Italy. An attempt in 207 by his brother Hasdrubal to reinforce him failed. Meanwhile, Roman armies were contesting Carthage for the control of Hispania, in 211 the domain of armies under Hannibal's three brothers (Hasdrubal and Mago), and Hasdrubal Gisco; by 206 the Roman general Cornelius Scipio (later Africanus) had defeated Punic power there. In 204 Rome landed armies at Utica near Carthage, which forced Hannibal's return. One Numidian king, Syphax, supported Carthage. Another, Masinissa, Rome. At the Battle of Zama in 202 the same Roman general Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal Barca, ending the long war.  Carthage lost its trading cities in Hispania and elsewhere in the Western Mediterranean, and much of its influence over the Numidian Kingdoms in Northwest Africa. Carthage became reduced to its immediate surroundings. Also it was required to pay a large indemnity to Rome. Carthage revived, causing great alarm in Rome.
  The Third Punic War (149–146) began following the refusal by Carthage to alter the terms of its agreement with Rome. Roman armies again came to Africa and lay siege to the ancient and magnificent city of Carthage, which rejected negotiations.  Eventually, the end came; Carthage was destroyed and its citizens enslaved.
  Afterward The region (modern Tunisia) was annexed by the Roman Republic as the Province of Africa.  Carthage itself was eventually rebuilt by the Romans.  Long after the fall of Rome, the city of Carthage would be again destroyed.
caption: Modern engraving of Hannibal Barca, based on marble bust found at Capua, said to have been made during his lifetime. Museo Nazionale, Naples.
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