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The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between Rome and the Phoenician city of Carthage. They are known as the "Punic" Wars because Rome's name for Carthaginians was Punici (older Poenici, due to their Phoenician ancestry).

• The First Punic War ( 264 BC - 241 BC) was primarily a naval war.
• The Second Punic War ( 218 BC - 202 BC) is famous for Hannibal's crossing of the Alps.
• The Third Punic War ( 149 BCCenturies: 3rd century BC 2nd century BC 1st century BC Decades: 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC 140s BC 130s BC 120s BC 110s BC 100s BC 90s BC Years: 154 BC 153 BC 152 BC 151 BC 150 BC 149 BC 148 BC 147 BC 146 BC 145 BC 144 BC Events Third Punic - 146 BCCenturies: 3rd century BC 2nd century BC 1st century BC Decades: 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC 140s BC 130s BC 120s BC 110s BC 100s BC 90s BC Years: 151 BC 150 BC 149 BC 148 BC 147 BC 146 BC 145 BC 144 BC 143 BC 142 BC 141 BC Events Carthage fal) resulted in the destruction of Carthage.

Also see ancient warfareAncient warfare is war as conducted from the beginnings of history to the end of the ancient period. In Europe, the end of antiquity is often equated with the fall of Rome in AD 476. In China, it can also be seen as ending in the fifth century, with the g.

The primary purpose of the Punic Wars was Roman territorial expansion. The Romans were particularly interested in the Carthaginian ports. As a result of these battles, Rome greatly improved their navy, inventing a new device called the raven that was a plank designed to serve as a bridge that dropped down onto the enemy's vessel. The wars were very costly and also resulted in many deaths on both sides.