Punic Wars: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	Carthaginian Wars
Date	149 BCE - 146 • 264 BCE - 241 • 218 BCE - 201
Location	Africa • Carthage • Italy • Mediterranean Sea • Tunisia
Participants	Carthage • ancient Rome

Photos and Videos

Historical map of the western Mediterranean region during the Punic Wars, showing Carthaginian territory in orange and Roman territory in green around 270 BCE. Hannibal's route from Spain, across the Alps, and into Italy between 219 and 202 BCE is marked with a red line. Key battle sites with years are labeled throughout Spain, Italy, Sicily, and North Africa.

Map of the Italian peninsula showing Roman expansion from 298 to 201 BC, with color-coded regions indicating Roman and Latin territories, allies, and acquisitions during different periods, as well as the Kingdom of Syracuse and its allies. Key cities and regions such as Rome, Capua, and Sicily are labeled, and territorial changes from the Samnite and Punic Wars are highlighted.

Roman war galley

Map of the Carthaginian Empire in the western Mediterranean region, showing Carthaginian territory in 265 BC in green, territorial losses by 238 BC in pink, and territorial gains by 219 BC in orange. The map highlights locations across North Africa, southern Spain, and several Mediterranean islands, with major cities such as Carthage, Gades, and Carthago Nova marked.

Illustration of Hannibal the Carthaginian general wearing a metal helmet and armor, holding a shield decorated with a horse.

Hannibal and the Punic Wars

Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, Quintus

Three-panel map showing troop movements and positions during the Battle of Cannae on August 2, 216 BCE in the Second Punic War. Roman forces are marked in blue and Carthaginian forces in red, with infantry, cavalry, and skirmishers distinguished by different symbols. The panels illustrate the Roman advance, the Carthaginian encirclement strategy led by Hannibal, and the eventual encirclement and defeat of the Roman army near the river Aufidus. Key locations such as Cannae, Hannibal's camp, and c

The rise and fall of the Carthaginian empire

Hannibal's daring strategy against Rome explained

How Hannibal's conquests led to the fall of Carthage

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Timeline

Battle of the Trebbia River

December 218 BCE

Battle of Trasimene

June 217 BCE

Three-panel map showing troop movements and positions during the Battle of Cannae on August 2, 216 BCE in the Second Punic War. Roman forces are marked in blue and Carthaginian forces in red, with infantry, cavalry, and skirmishers distinguished by different symbols. The panels illustrate the Roman advance, the Carthaginian encirclement strategy led by Hannibal, and the eventual encirclement and defeat of the Roman army near the river Aufidus. Key locations such as Cannae, Hannibal's camp, and c

Battle of Cannae

216 BCE

The western Mediterranean during the Punic Wars

Siege of Syracuse

214 BCE - 212

Battle of Ilipa

206 BCE

Battle of Zama

202 BCE

The keys of Carthage

Battle of Carthage

146 BCE

Key People

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Gaius Flaminius

Roman politician

Illustration of Hannibal the Carthaginian general wearing a metal helmet and armor, holding a shield decorated with a horse.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general [247-c.181 BCE]

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Scipio Africanus the Younger

Roman general

Silver coin from Carthago Nova, believed to be a portrait of Scipio Africanus the Elder; in the Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, National Museum, Copenhagen.

Scipio Africanus

Roman general

Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, Quintus

Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus

Roman statesman and commander

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Hamilcar Barca

Carthaginian general

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Gaius Claudius Nero

Roman military commander

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Masinissa

king of Numidia

Scipio, Publius Cornelius

Publius Cornelius Scipio

Roman general [died 211 bce]

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Maharbal

Carthaginian military commander

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Hieron II

tyrant and king of Syracuse

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Marcus Atilius Regulus

Roman general

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Hasdrubal

Carthaginian general [died 207 BCE]

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Gaius Duilius

Roman admiral

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Marcus Claudius Marcellus

Roman general [died 208 BCE]

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Mago

Carthaginian general

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Syphax

king of the Masaesyli

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Gaius Laelius

Roman general

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Publius Claudius Pulcher

Roman commander

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Gaius Lutatius Catulus

Roman commander

D-Day. American soldiers fire rifles, throw grenades and wade ashore on Omaha Beach next to a German bunker during D Day landing. 1 of 5 Allied beachheads est. in Normandy, France. The Normandy Invasion of World War II launched June 6, 1944.

A History of War

Overlooking the Roman Forum with Temple of Saturn in Rome, Italy

The Roman Empire

Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)

World Wars

Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history)

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