The last human sacrifices carried out in Rome—beyond considering the ludi gladiatorii as an acceptable adaptation of the concept—took place in 216 BC. It was during a colossal catastrophe that shook ...

The Punic Wars began in 264 BCE. At that time, Rome had yet to send a legion outside the confines of the Italian Peninsula.

The Second Punic War would be devastating for Rome’s armies, but they would eventually beat the Carthaginians into submission ...

Hannibal of Carthage (modern Tunisia), a great military strategist, led elephants through the Alps to defeat Rome.

The defeat at the Battle of Cannae. This battle was part of the Second Punic War, which had begun two years earlier as Rome and Carthage vied for control of the western Mediterranean. Shortly after it ...