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Michael Wilburn Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Professor Linda Hall The Roman - Carthaginian Treaties History 382

In 509 BC, the Roman people overthrew their king, Tarquinius Superbus. Following the

governmental reorganization, Rome sought new relations with their powerful neighbor,

Carthage. Carthage had been founded much earlier than the Roman Empire and had a

considerable amount of territory and power. Rome, on the other hand, had fended off enemies for

centuries and was adept in land warfare. Each slightly fearing the other, the two city-states made

a series of pacts. As the nations changed in power, so too did the treaties.

The first treaty, composed in 509 BC, established a “friendship” between the two. It

forbade the Romans from venturing into Carthaginian water, unless driven there by storm or

enemies. If a Roman found his ship in Carthaginian waters by these means, he was to take only

what he needed to repair his ship and pay the gods and be on his way in less than five days. The

Romans were not to conduct trade in Lybia or Sardinia, except in the presence of a town-clerk or

herald. The state would secure the sales. For Carthage, the restrictions were, they were not to

injure any allies of Rome. If Carthage seizes a city in Latium not under Roman rule, they were

allowed to take the booty and prisoners, but give the city to Rome. They were not to construct

fortresses in Latium, and could not pass a night in the country armed.

Both sides feared the other and this treaty reflects that relationship. Neither side wanted the other

to mess with them. The overall voice of the treaty is, leave me alone and I will leave you alone.

The treaty also defined all the lands that were subject to both parties. In this case Carthage has

control over most of the North African coast, Sardinia and Corsica, and a part of Sicily. Rome,
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however, say they control only the Latium region of the Italian Peninsula. Though Rome was

small in comparison, their land military was obviously powerful enough to intimidate Carthage.

With the expansion of both nations, a new treaty was needed to include new regions.

Carthage added Tyre, Utica, and land in Spain, while the Romans added more cities in the region

of Etruria and the Latin coast. The treaty remained mostly the same. The Romans were again

forbidden from Carthaginian territory. If the Romans captured a person of an allied nation not

subject to Carthaginian rule, he was not to be taken to a Carthaginian harbor. If he was a

Carthaginian may claim the prisoner and he would be set free. If a Roman took any wares from

Carthaginian territory, he was not to harm anyone of Carthage or her allies in doing so. The

treaty repeats its restrictions on Romans stranded in Carthaginian territory. However, Romans in

Sicily now enjoyed the same rights as Carthaginians. The Clause on the taking of provisions and

the capturing of prisoners also applied to Carthage equally. Furthermore, Carthage could keep

prisoners and booty taken from Latin cities not subject to Rome, but deliver the city to Rome.

Syracuse and Pyrrhus began harassing both Rome and Carthage in the 3rd century BC.

Shortly after Pyrrhus’s invasion, Rome and Carthage created a fourth treaty that dealt with the

current situation. If the two nations were to ally against Pyrrhus and one was attacked, the other

would go to his aid. If they found themselves taking military action against Pyrrhus, Carthage

would supply only ships, while both sides would supply and pay the men on board. Also, if

Rome need naval support, Carthage would send aid, but only if the sailors did so out their own

free will.

This third treaty recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of the nations. Carthage, a

nation renowned for its commerce and naval trade, could supply a good navy, whereas Rome
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would supply the troops. Carthage, experiencing difficulties in Sicily, signed the treaty to bring

Rome’s superior land army into play. Rome, fearing a naval invasion, sought to enlist the help of

Carthage’s strong ships. Both sides, though competitors in the Mediterranean world, had a

common enemy and want to take advantage of the other’s strengths to supplement their own

weaknesses.