Written Assignment Week Five
University of the People
HIST 1421- Greek and Roman Civilization
Instructor: David Laird Iii
May 2022
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Introduction
In this paper, we will discuss the two equal power in the West: Rome, and Carthage
These two powers were competing for control of the West and some areas of the
Mediterranean to be the center of the command and the sole ruler who represents the West.
They had several similarities in their structure and aspects of power which will be discussed
later in this assignment, but one of the main differences between Rome and Carthage is the
leadership of the army. The Carthaginian administration placed the army's leadership in the
hands of a commander rather than its constantly changing civil adjudicators. The
circumstances that led Rome to establish their power navy will be one of the topics in this
paper.
Tracking how Carthage became almost equal power to Rome
Carthage was able to rack up a wealth of power and military structures due to its culture
of trade and peace, while the Roman empire was exhausted from the invasions of other lands.
Unlike the Romans, Carthaginian wealth was built and flourished over many years through
trade rather than conquest. When the rival foe arrived in front of Carthage's face, Carthage
was prepared to fight it. According to (Morey, 1901) Carthage introduced ideas and
civilization to the western Mediterranean. The power of Carthage was based on commercial
and trade dominance. And thanks to the trade, Carthage became the greatest Mediterranean
merchant, moreover, the equal power to Rome in the West. "We can thus see how Rome and
Carthage became rivals for the possession of the countries bordering upon the western
Mediterranean Sea.". (Morey, 1901, para.4).
The strength of Rome and Carthage
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According to (Morey, 1901) Although Carthage had more resources, Rome was more
organized. The navy of Carthage was preferable, but Rome's army was more impactful.
Carthage's rulers were more capable, while Rome's citizens were more steadfast. Carthage's
main strength was its wealth and commercial resources, whereas Rome's was founded on the
character of its people and a well-organized political system. The Carthaginians' greatness
was revealed in victories, whereas the Romans' greatness was revealed amid disaster.
How this conflict led to Rome becoming a naval power.
The Romans realized that to defeat Carthage, they needed to confront it both on land and at
sea during the First Punic War. The Romans at that point had two options: abandon the war or
build a fleet to rival the Carthaginians'. They built a hundred vessels like it in sixty days.
using as a model a Carthaginian vessel that had been wrecked on the Italian shore. They
installed their ships with drawbridges in the order they could board enemy ships. With a fleet
at its disposal, Rome set sail as a competitor to the world's first maritime force. The
Carthaginians were defeated as a result, with fifty of their ships misplaced or seized (Morey,
1901).
Conclusion
One of the most