Rome, city, Italy: Conquests Overseas and to the East

Rome, previously a continental power, began to look seaward in the 3d cent. b.c. Sicily, a granary of the ancient world, was an obvious goal, but Rome's rapid conquests could not continue there without meeting the like ambitions of Carthage, which ruled the W Mediterranean. The Punic Wars were thus inevitable, and in this titanic struggle the fate of Carthage and the destiny of Rome were decided. Although Carthage had the great general Hannibal, Rome fought with the resources of Italy behind it and had such leaders as Scipio Africanus Major. Rome gained from the Punic Wars dominion over Spain, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and the northern shores of Africa, indisputable hegemony in the Mediterranean, and an insatiable desire for conquest.

With Carthage humbled, the Roman republic turned its attention eastward. Philip V of Macedon was defeated after two campaigns (215–205 b.c., 200–197 b.c.), and Antiochus III of Syria was conquered at Magnesia (190 b.c.); eventually the defeat of Perseus (171–168 b.c.) made Macedonia a Roman province. Greece did not become a Roman province, but the brief opposition of the Achaean League was disposed of, and the Greeks became subject to Rome. Egypt acknowledged vassalship to the republic in 168 b.c.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Napoleon to the Present
• Rome during the Renaissance
• Renaissance and Modern Rome
• Medieval Rome
• The Empire Declines
• Augustus and the Pax Romana
• Julius Caesar
• Effects of Expansion
• Conquests Overseas and to the East
• The Subduing of Italy
• The Roman Republic
• Rome before Augustus
• Landmarks and Institutions
• Economy
• The Modern City

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