Over a 100-year span, the Roman Republic was involved in three major wars with Carthage. These three wars were known as the Punic Wars and were fought between 264 and 146 BC. These wars made a significant impact on the Roman Empire, helped Rome gain the majority of its wide range of power, and created a foundation for the Roman Empire.
During the first Punic War, Roman general, Regulus, and Carthaginian general, Hamilcar Barca, strategically fought a war that centered over obtaining territories. The First Punic War would result in the death of Regulus, who was taken prisoner by the Carthaginian army. They sent him back to Rome to promote a peace treaty, but instead, Regulus urged Rome to continue fighting. Eight years after the death of Regulus, Carthage finally had to sue for peace after Rome’s victory at The Battle of the Aegestas Islands. The terms of the surrender put Hamilcar Barca into a rage and he started plotting his revenge against Rome. Notably, he instilled his son, Hannibal, with a deep hate for the Roman Empire.
The Second Punic War began in 218 BC and would continue until 201 BC. The Carthaginian general, Hannibal Barca, son of Hamilcar Barca, was the main promoter of the Second Punic War. He possessed a hatred for Rome, instilled by his father, and was determined to take the Roman Empire. After gaining a position in Spain with the army of Carthage, Hannibal started plotting to invade Italy. Hannibal wanted to ally his army with the enemies of Rome and take over Italy. The Carthaginian government did not approve of his plan, yet Hannibal still pursued the war by attacking a Roman ally, the Saguntum, in Spain. At this point, Rome declared war on Carthage, and Hannibal was appointed general. Hannibal immediately put together a sizeable army and decided to cross the Alps. Hannibal would forever go down in history as the general who had crossed the Alps with his army and three dozen elephants.
Upon reaching Italy, the first battle was fought with Roman general, Scipio, leading the Roman army. Hannibal was able to easily defeat the Roman army in a few battles. At the time, the Romans used a system of two consuls for their army, Scipio and Sempronious. Unfortunately for Rome, Hannibal was able to lure both sections of the army into lethal traps at The Battle of Trebia, The Battle of Lake Transimene, and The Battle of Cannae. After being badly defeated in several battles, Rome appointed Fabius as dictator and was able to avoid the vicious attacks for a year. Hannibal frequently tried to turn Rome’s allies against them; however, none of the allies would budge.
When Fabius’ term as dictator was over, Rome once again put two consuls in charge of the army. These consuls formed numerous legions that tried to drive Hannibal out of Italy. Instead, the Romans lost around 60,000 soldiers and had 80 senators captured. The Second Punic War was the most devastating battle ever fought by Rome.
Source: (http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?Dir=wars&FileName=wars_punic.php)