A Punic Wars timeline covering Carthage's maritime empire, the First Punic War over Sicily, Hannibal and Cannae, Scipio Africanus, Zama, and the destruction of Carthage in 146 BC.
Three wars across 264-146 BC decided whether Rome or Carthage would rule the western Mediterranean. This timeline follows Carthage's rise, Hannibal's crossing of the Alps, Cannae, Scipio's counterstroke at Zama, and the final destruction of the city.
Classical tradition dates the founding of Carthage by Tyrian settlers to about 814 BC on the North African coast.
By the 5th century BC Carthage commands a maritime empire spanning North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, and southern Spain.
Rome intervenes at Messana in 264 BC, igniting a 23-year war with Carthage for control of Sicily.
Using the corvus boarding bridge, Gaius Duilius defeats the Carthaginian fleet off Mylae in 260 BC.
Rome lands an army in Africa in 256 BC; Regulus is defeated and captured near Tunis in 255 BC.
Rome's decisive naval win in March 241 BC forces Carthage to sue for peace; Sicily becomes the first Roman province.
Unpaid mercenaries revolt against Carthage; Hamilcar Barca eventually crushes the brutal uprising.
Exploiting Carthage's crisis, Rome annexes Sardinia and Corsica around 238-237 BC, deepening the rivalry.
Hamilcar, Hasdrubal, and Hannibal expand Carthaginian power in Iberia, founding New Carthage as its capital.
Hannibal takes the Roman-allied city of Saguntum in 219 BC after an eight-month siege, triggering the Second Punic War.
In late 218 BC Hannibal leads his army and war elephants over the Alps, then beats Rome at the Trebia in December.
In June 217 BC Hannibal ambushes and destroys a Roman army under Flaminius at Lake Trasimene.
On 2 August 216 BC Hannibal encircles and annihilates Rome's largest army - one of history's most studied battles.
Rome refuses to surrender after Cannae; Marcellus captures Syracuse in 212 BC, where Archimedes is killed.
Young Publius Scipio seizes the Carthaginian capital in Spain in 209 BC, turning the Iberian war in Rome's favor.
In June 207 BC Hasdrubal's relief army is destroyed in northern Italy, ending hope of reinforcing Hannibal.
Scipio lands in Africa in 204 BC, forcing Carthage onto the defensive and prompting Hannibal's recall from Italy.
Scipio defeats Hannibal at Zama in October 202 BC; the 201 BC peace strips Carthage of its empire and fleet.
Rome declares war in 149 BC after Carthage defends itself against Numidia, and besieges the city itself.
In 146 BC Rome storms, sacks, and demolishes Carthage; its territory becomes the Roman province of Africa.
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