Third Punic War
The final war between Rome and Carthage, fought from 149 to 146 BCE. It ended with Rome destroying Carthage and annexing its territory.
Siege of Carthage: The Roman siege of Carthage from 149 to 146 BCE, culminating in the city's capture and destruction. The war's defining operation lasted nearly three years before Roman forces breached the city's defenses.
Second Punic War: The war between Rome and Carthage from 218 to 201 BCE, renowned for Hannibal's invasion of Italy. Its settlement stripped Carthage of territory and military autonomy, shaping the conditions for renewed conflict.
Roman Africa: The Roman province established in the former territory of Carthage after the Third Punic War. Annexation converted Carthaginian lands into a durable base of Roman rule in North Africa.
First Punic War: The first war between Rome and Carthage, fought from 264 to 241 BCE, chiefly over Sicily. Unlike the final war's destruction of Carthage, this conflict ended with a treaty and Roman acquisition of Sicily.
Scipio Aemilianus: A Roman general who commanded the forces that captured Carthage in 146 BCE. His command turned a prolonged blockade into the final assault on Carthage.
Treaty of Zama: The peace settlement imposed on Carthage by Rome in 201 BCE after the Second Punic War. Its restrictions limited Carthage's ability to wage war without Roman approval.
Destruction of Carthage: The Roman capture and systematic destruction of Carthage at the end of the Third Punic War in 146 BCE. The city's destruction was the war's immediate and most consequential outcome.
Third Macedonian War: A Roman war against the Macedonian king Perseus from 171 to 168 BCE, ending Roman control of Macedonia. Its near-contemporary conquest shows Rome expanding eastward while preparing to eliminate Carthage.
Carthaginian military: The armed forces maintained by Carthage, including citizen troops, cavalry, and forces recruited from its territories. Carthage rebuilt its defenses and resisted Rome despite the treaty restrictions imposed after the Second Punic War.
Masinissa: The king of Numidia who allied with Rome and ruled from 202 to 148 BCE. His territorial expansion against Carthage intensified disputes that Rome used to justify intervention.