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Written Assignment Unit 5:

University of the People

HIST 1421: GREEK AND ROMAN CIVILIZATION

Trico Lutkins, Instructor

July 22, 2020

 Introduction

In 264 BC two cities emerged as the dominant power in the Mediterranean region, Rome and

Carthage. In this essay, we will expose how Carthage became almost the equal of Rome and its

most serious rival in the region, the strength of two civilizations, and how the first conflict

between the two cities lead Rome to become a naval power.

How Carthage Became Equal to Rome

Carthage shares with Rome a similar beginning, both cities were founded by immigrants from

the near-east. However, Carthage used different means to assert herself as a dominant power in

the Mediterranean. "Carthage brought into the western Mediterranean the ideas and civilization

which the Phoenicians had developed in the East. Her power was based upon trade and

commercial supremacy. She had brought under her control the trading colonies of northern

Africa and many of the Greek cities of Sicily. She was, in fact, the great merchant of the

Mediterranean. She had grown wealthy and strong by buying and selling the products of the East

and the West—the purple of Tyre, the frankincense of Arabia, the linen of Egypt, the gold of

Spain, the silver of the Balearic Isles, the tin of Britain, and the iron of Elba. She had formed

commercial treaties with the chief countries of the world. She coveted not only the Greek cities

of Sicily, but the Greek cities of Italy as well." (Morey, W. C. 1901.)

Strengths and Weaknesses Of Each City

Comparing these two civilizations we can first observe that they shared many commonalities.

They had a similar government structure with two chiefs magistrats , a "senate", and an
assembly. There was also no real difference between then in terms of strengths and resources.

However, these similarities were very different in their nature and spirit and because of that we

could observe a clear contrast between the two societies.

"Carthage had greater wealth, but Rome had a better organization. Carthage had a more powerful

navy, but Rome had a more efficient army. Carthage had more brilliant leaders, while Rome had

a more steadfast body of citizens. The main strength of Carthage rested in her wealth and

commercial resources, while that of Rome depended upon the character of her people and her

well-organized political system. The greatness of the Carthaginians was shown in their

successes, while the greatness of the Romans was most fully revealed in the dark hours of

disaster and trial." (Morey, W. C. 1901.)

How Rome Became A Naval Power.

The first Punic War will have a significant effect on Rome's military development. "When the

Carthaginian fleet first appeared, it recovered most of the coast cities which had been lost to the

Romans. It ravaged the coasts of Italy, and by its command of the sea made it difficult for Rome

to send fresh troops to Sicily. The Romans had, it is true, a few ships; but these were triremes, or

ships with only three banks of oars, and were unable to cope with the great Carthaginian vessels,

which were quinquiremes, or ships with five banks of oars. The Romans saw that they must

either give up the war, or else build a fleet equal to that of the Carthaginians." (Morey, W. C.

1901.)

To become a naval power Rome will combine the best of the two worlds namely Carthaginian

ships and the power of its soldiers. Using reverse engineering on a Carthaginian Vessel they
could now build similar ships but they will not stop here; "Romans knew that their soldiers were

better than the Carthaginians in a hand-to-hand encounter. To maintain this advantage, they

provided their ships with drawbridges which could be used in boarding the enemy’s vessels."

Rome has now ships that are as good as Carthage ones but who also leverage its soldier's close-

combat ability. Rome who was until now the best land in the force in the world is also becoming

one of its best naval powers.

Conclusion

By 264 BC Carthage and Rome emerged as the most powerful civilization in the Mediterranean.

Although the two were equal in strengths and resources, the nature of their assets, and the

process by which they acquired their position of power was different. Carthage had the best navy

while Rome has the best hand-to-hand army. However, we can observe that during their first

clash for the control of the "know world" Rome has been able to learn from Carthage and as a

result learned to build a similar navy and became its rival naval power in the Mediterranean.
REFERENCES

Morey, W.C. (1901) Outlines of Roman History. Retrieved 23 July 2020, from

http://www.forumromanum.org/history/morey14.html

Ancient Cities. (2014, June 12). Ancient Carthage & Hannibals war with the Romans [Video].

YouTube.

Extra History: Rome - The Punic Wars. (2017). Retrieved 23 July 2020, from

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhyKYa0YJ_5BQmw4cp7mmwtyEc4tBMUhX

Word Count: 753