Final answer:
Rome and Carthage were continually at war from 264 to 146 BCE due to conflicting expansionist motives and intense rivalry for Mediterranean dominance. The final Third Punic War ended with Rome's absolute victory, leading to Carthage's complete destruction in 146 BCE.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons Behind the Punic Wars
The Rome and Carthage rivalries, known as the Punic Wars, were rooted in competing interests and expansionist agendas between the two powerful states from 264 to 146 BCE. Initially, Rome's expansion in Italy brought it into conflict with Carthage's dominion in North Africa. The first war began in 264 BCE when Rome intervened in a conflict in Sicily between Syracuse and Messina, which led to a war with Carthage that lasted until 241 BCE. This war concluded with Rome seizing Sicilian territory and later betraying Carthage by capturing Corsica and Sardinia as well.
The Carthaginians, led by the notable general Hannibal, sought revenge, culminating in the Second Punic War from 218 to 202 BCE. Despite initial Carthaginian successes, including Hannibal's famous campaign in Italy, Rome emerged victorious, further limiting Carthaginian power. Rome's continued encroachments led to enduring hostility and culminated in the Third Punic War, when senator Cato the Elder's hawkish stance towards Carthage resonated with Rome's intent to eliminate its rival. This final conflict ended in 146 BCE with the destruction and subjugation of Carthage.
Throughout these wars, Rome's military resilience, strategic expansions, the invention of the corvus for naval battles, and internal political unity played a crucial role in its eventual triumph over Carthage. Carthage's limitations, such as failing to capitalize on early victories and a lack of support from allies, contributed to its downfall. The aftermath of the Punic Wars eroded Rome's traditional political harmony and saw the beginning of more internal strife.