The Punic Wars were three wars that were fought between Rome and Carthage. They lasted from 264 BC to 146 BC. In the days when Rome was still a Republic, a big fight broke out between Rome and Carthage. Carthage was an ancient city-state in North Africa, about 300 miles from Rome. Both cities had built empires of their own, and Carthage controlled three islands off the coast of Italy.
The first Punic War was fought because, both Rome and Carthage wanted control of the island of Sicily. Carthage and Rome fought for 20 years. However, Rome eventually won.
The Second Punic War started because Carthage attacked a Roman ally in Iberia, which we now know as Spain. Hannibal, the great military genius from Carthage, defeated Rome in several major battles. However, he was not able to capture the actual city. Rome won the war, and attacked the Carthaginian homeland. Once again, Carthage lost all of its Iberian holdings, and Rome was victorious. This marked the end of the Carthaginian supremacy, and the rise of Rome. The Third War was fought when Carthage was recovering economically and Rome felt threatened. Rome possessed far more power than Carthage. It crushed Carthage, and forced all the people to move away.
The Punic wars are important because, by the end of this, Rome was the dominant power in the Mediterranean Sea.
