Quote:
Originally Posted by Brokinarrow
Something like that, yes. Also, thanks, you just gave me something to read on Wikipedia for the next couple hours  |
And for those that want the cliffs notes version of the story ...
At the time Rome wasn't terribly powerful. Carthage was a North African city/kingdom which had a very powerful navy. Rome and Carthage were battling over the island of Sicily because whoever controlled it controlled trade in the region. In the first Punic the Romans seized Sicily and stopped the Carthaginians from retaking it. The second was a series of tactical victories in modern day Spain and Italy by the Carthaginians, led by Hannibal (it is also when he led elephants across the alps). He was ultimately defeated once he exhausted his supplies and the Romans rebuilt their army.
In the 3rd and final Punic war, the Romans brought the war to Carthage itself. It is said that they once they captured the capital city (Carthage) they killed everyone, including women and children. After that, they burned it to the ground. But supposedly, they weren't done yet. The story goes that they then went and plowed salt into the surrounding fields, making them infertile for years to come. They completely obliterated the city and any potential to rebuild. The salting of the earth is likely untrue, but it is clear that they were sending a message: Don't p*ss us off , or you will be destroyed thoroughly and completely.