Rome vs. Carthage
In Rome vs. Carthage, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explains how Rome grew increasingly confident as it expanded and developed. In the Mediterranean, Carthage was a great commercial power. As Rome sought to expand its territory beyond Italy, it came into direct conflict with Carthage and its trade empire. The Punic Wars started with a battle on the island of Sicily. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Lesson Express
Q: Which superpower did Rome wish to conquer?
A: Rome wished to conquer Carthage, the greatest superpower of the age.
Q: What was the economy of Carthage based on?
A: The economy of Carthage was based on maritime trade, with a strong commercial and military fleet protecting their vast trade networks across the Mediterranean.
Q: How were the societies of Carthage and Rome inherently different?
A: They were different in how they approached their purpose and place. Rome sought to be more inclusive while Carthage focused on creating a marketplace.
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