Carthage Versus Rome Part 7

This piece of writing was based on the Roman Republic which was recommended by a friend for something to draw and write about. This post is an analysis of the Punic War, - Rome vs. Carthage, and how the generals fought the battles. The Second Punic War was a make-or-break moment for the Roman Republic, which was a very difficult time for Rome. The Carthaginian General Hannibal outmaneuvered the Roman Army- even with less men and left the Republic with a major defeat.

The Punic Wars: between Rome and Carthage: were incredibly bloody. The Carthaginians typically had an advantage with popular morale support in the Mediterranean World. North Africa had extremely effective horse troops that were on horses from birth. Rome’s culture was based on the military in the Pagan age until Christianity became the dominant religion. The Carthaginian’s recruited from North Africa where there was cavalry was some of the best in the world. Romes culture was based on military rule and the Carthaginian army relied on Morale and was supported by Mediterranean citizens. Carthaginian armies were very important and were based on morale because they fought so far away from home. Carthaginian armies had some of the best and most effective horse units in the entire Mediterranean

The Carthaginians formed one of their most effective cavalry forces recruiting from the North African Berber kingdoms. They recruited troops from the North Africa Numidian horsemen who were on horseback since babies. They learned from a young age how to ride without saddles or conventional britches. These men had scrawny ponies that seemed bigger, and they were compared to Roman mounts, but they were more effective. The Gaul’s were very effective and had no armor. They had light shields, wore no armor and Hannibal had 2,000 Iberian Cavalry. They were in a Hellenistic pattern and his Gaulish allies had 4,000 combined. They were drawn to Cannae with their heavy spears with the Celtic foot soldiers. The Gaulish foot troops paid particular attention to the displays of martial vigor and other work.

              The Roman’s valued warfare in the Pagan age and went after them for the benrfits of war. The Romans wrote: “The Martial Culture of the Roman State was not a discrete element of the body politic, but rather a fundamental aspect of being a Roman Citizen.” (Cambell 24.) The 4th Century BC: they were fully formed and were at war with Carthage where there was only a single instance prior to 151. They fought against King Phillip 5 of Macedon around this time- the war ended in a stalemate.

Carthaginian Armies were incredibly reliant on Morale were they were heavily reliant on expeditionary forces that had a mix of contingents and different groups of people. They relied on morale because they brought their armies far from home where they could not easily get food or other supplies. The consensus was that Carthage was loved, and Rome was resented, which helped the Carthaginian army because they could add local troops/ mercenaries, and they could be resupplied by the local population more easily.

Carthaginian Armies were highly loved and supported by the local population. They had some of the strongest horse units other than the horse-riding people in central Europe. The Carthaginian horse men came from Northern Africa and were on Horses as babies. Roman Culture was defined by military power and wars which brought power and economic wealth to Rome. When Rome became Christian the military power of Rome declined due to the Christian faith generally being against war in that scenario.

Citations:

Cambell, D. (2018a). Roman Legionary Versus Carthaginian Warrior. Osprey Publishing.