The Phoenician-Punic expansion in the Mediterranean was partially due to a sort of new economy based on creativity, trading and communications. In the case of Greece, it treated colonization was peaceful in the beginning. It alleviated the demographic pressure at home, where the soil aridity in various zones of the country, the backwardness of the agriculture techniques and the latifundium did not allow for the production of sufficient means of subsistence for increasingly growing masses. Moreover, the Greek colonization derived from heterogeneous and multiethnic origin, led to reproduce the same contradictions, the same internal struggles, and the same home political and cultural life too. The Alalia victory (535 B.C.), the first real battle in the Mediterranean, signed a breaking point in the trading equilibrium which was reached in previous centuries between Etruscans, Greeks and Carthaginians, the point of descent of the brief Etruscan parabola, and the appearance of the Latin-Cuman alliance.

Hymera defeat, fifty years later, gave Syracuse glory and wealth. Syracuse started expansionist politics to the Athena prejudice that had to surrender arms, later to Sparta and Persia too. The struggle against Carthage continued, with oscillating and devastating issues, until the arrival of the Romans who took advantage of the favorable situation.

Chapter II:
The Roman-Carthaginian first war (the causes; Milazzo battle; Ecnomo battle; the landing at Clupea and the death of Attilius Regulus; Drepana battle; Egadi battle; reasons and consequences of the Roman victory; The Mercenaries Revolt)

The first war lashed by Rome against Carthage aimed at the conquest of Sicily, according to a strategic, military and economic plan. Carthage did not know or foresee the Roman danger, nor face it with all the necessary energy, having also to fight against the cities of Graecia Magna, and affront the rebellions for independence in Africa. That began to look favorably at the rising Roman empire. Thereafter there were two constants in the North African politics: to look at the new colonialism with favor against the ancient one --contro l'antico -- and to face it through the division and the betrayals of leaders under the instigation of the new conquerors. Mathos was against Narrhavas and both were in love with the beautiful Salammbò, daughter of Hamilcar, and eventually committed suicide. Apart from Sicily, Rome took possession of Sardinia and started piracy along the African coast.

Chapter III:
The Roman-Numidian-Carthaginian second war (the causes; Hannibal victorious period; the crisis; reverses of fortune; Carthaginian oligarchy and the Party of peace; the struggle between patricians and the preparations for landing in Africa; Massinissa conquests the thrown of Numidia, Roman protectorate; Zama defeat)

Twenty years later, Rome renews hostility against Carthage for the possession of Spain, where the Barca had started to rebuild a new powerful empire. At the beginning, it had to undergo these especially because of Hannibal genius inflicted heavy loses on Roman armies. Hannibal was unable to terminate his work, for the political opposition at home, more than for the Roman cleverness. Again the Romans knew how to assure the Numide support, which was decisive during the last battle fought on the African soil. Sifax against Massinissa contended the throne of Numidia, while both of them were in love with the beautiful Sophonisbe, daughter of Hasdrubal son of Gisco, and who committed suicide. Massinissa was decisive in the Roman victory at Zama against Hannibal and took the throne of Numidia, under the Roman protectorate.

Chapter IV:
The Roman-Numidian-Carthaginian third war (the Shoah of Carthage, Roman cannibalism)

50 years later, Rome still found the excuse, the medium of Massinissa interpose, to annihilate Carthage which still opposed its expansion in Africa. The city, which Massinissa hoped to have as the capital of his kingdom, was razed. Carthage continued to burn for seventeen consecutive days under orders of Scipio Aemilianus. The Scipio name is still invoked today in the Italian National anthem, which is disquieting, to say the least.