How Rome Beat Carthage | The First Punic War

In the third century BC, a clash which had been brewing for centuries finally erupted: Rome, the ruthless imperialist upstart dominating Italy, against Carthage, the ancient but sinister apex predator of the Mediterranean. The conflict sparked in Messina in 263 BC, and went on for over two decades, as the fortunes of both powers rose and fell. Rome’s superior, land-based army proved the perfect match to the Carthaginians’ maritime might, though both forces rapidly adapted to the expertise of their foe. By 250 BC, Carthage was embattled and flailing, and in need of a hero, to restore the fate of Carthage, and ensure her survival…
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the outbreak of the First Punic War, in which history’s greatest rivalry, Rome vs Carthage, finally came to blows. As the established power of Carthage was challenged by the rise of a new contender in Rome, but could either live in a world where the other survived?

00:00 Why the First Punic War was unmatched
02:04 Sicily becomes the inevitable battleground
04:06 Roman politics, honour, and appetite for conquest
05:57 Carthage’s perspective on the Roman threat
07:03 The Mamertines and the crisis at Messina
08:36 Carthage and Rome both drawn into war
10:04 Was Rome’s expansion centrally planned?
12:00 Siege of Agrigentum and Carthage’s disastrous defence
14:59 Rome’s surprise naval disaster and learning curve
16:44 The Corvus: Rome turns sea battles into land battles
17:54 Victory at Mylae and Carthage’s first major naval loss
19:02 Roman setbacks in Sicily and guerrilla resistance
20:06 Massive Roman invasion of Africa
21:21 Regulus’ campaign, Carthaginian peace rejection
23:11 Xanthippus’ arrival and Rome’s defeat in Africa
24:57 The tale (and myth) of Regulus’ martyrdom
26:01 Repeated Roman naval disasters and Claudius’ chickens
28:02 Rome’s grinding siege success in Sicily
29:48 Enter Hamilcar Barca: Carthage’s last hope
34:42 Final Roman fleet and the surprise at sea
36:26 The end of the First Punic War – Treaty terms
38:43 The mercenary time bomb outside Carthage
40:00 Spendius and Matho seize control and revolt
47:03 Mass slaughter at the Defile of the Axe
48:08 Final vengeance: Hannibal crucified, Spendius avenged
50:04 Hamilcar wins the war and Matho’s hideous fate
53:04 The boy Hannibal and his oath of eternal hatred


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Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett

Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor