Name Class Date

The Roman Republic History and Geography

The Punic Wars

Rome fought the Punic Wars, a series of wars against Carthage, a city in
northern Africa. The wars began when Carthage sent armies to Sicily.
After 20 years, the Romans forced their enemies out and took control
of Sicily. In 218 BC Carthage tried to attack Rome. General Hannibal
led the army through Spain and across the Alps into Italy. Hannibal was
never able to capture Rome and was told to come home. In the 140s BC
the Romans sent an army to Africa. After a victory, the Romans destroyed
Carthage and took control of northern Africa. During the Punic Wars,
Rome also took control of Sicily, Corsica, and Spain.

MAP ACTIVITY
1. Use a bright color to highlight the route Hannibal took from Carthage to Rome.

2. Use a different bright color to highlight the major battle site of Zama. Write the
date that the Battle of Zama took place.

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16 The Roman Republic
Name Class Date

The Punic Wars, continued History and Geography

3. What is the name of the mountain range that Hannibal and his armies crossed
before entering Rome? Label it on the map.

4. Update the map legend to reflect the colors you added to the map.

ANALYZING MAPS
1. Place Rome lies in what direction from Carthage?

2. Location What is the name of the large island directly off the southern tip of Italy
and north of Africa? Label this island on your map.

3. Region After Hannibal and his army landed in Spain, many miles did they travel
to get from Spain to Rome?

4. Movement Examine the map carefully. If you know that the Romans originally
settled around Rome, in what direction did they move to settle the rest of Italy?
Romans became good sailors, navigators, and traders. Color in areas of the map
where you predict the Romans may have expanded their empire.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

17 The Roman Republic
 Answer Key

Primary Source The Story Economics and History

of Spartacus WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. 900,000; 300,000; 1,500,000
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
2. 4,063,000;1,354,333; 6,771,667
1. Spartacus and his men had won many
3. 6,944,000; 2,314,667; 11,573,333
battles against the Roman soldiers. By
4. The 5:3 slaves to citizens estimate would
this time, Crassus knew that the person
who finally defeated Spartacus would be a most support the notion that the size of
famous hero. the slave population, combined with the
2. They help to make a story more interest- potential for slave revolts, was one of the
ing, exciting, or memorable; they help to factors that led to the fall of Rome.
make the hero seem special and not like
other people. Social Studies Skills
3. Possible answers: “wisely,” “of high
PRACTICE THE SKILL
spirit,” “gentleness,” “valiant.” Plutarch’s
1. the Rhine and Danube rivers
descriptions imply that he may have
2. that it took some time before it was
admired or respected Spartacus.
complete
4. Possible answers: Many people may have
admired Spartacus and what he did. APPLY THE SKILL
They may have liked the story because it 1. none
showed that someone like them had the 2. the Nile River
courage to fight against a mighty empire. 3. coastal areas and (large) cities

History and Geography Chapter Review

MAP ACTIVITY REVIEWING VOCABULARY, TERMS,
1. A bright color should highlight the route AND PEOPLE
from Carthage, through Spain, across the 1. Aeneas
Alps, and down toward Rome. 2. patricians
2. 202 BC 3. magistrates
3. Alps 4. legions
4. Colors will vary. 5. Spartacus
ANALYZING MAPS COMPREHENSION AND CRITICAL
1. Place THINKING
north or northeast 1. rivers
2. Location 2. tripartite
Sicily 3. Twelve
3. Region 4. Romans took over Greece
Approximately 1050–1100 miles (Because
of the curves, twists, and turns that
Hannibal took to get to Rome, an exact
measurement will be difficult.
4. Movement
generally north and south, or northwest
and southeast
Students should shade in areas of North
Africa, Spain, France, Northern Italy, and
Macedonia and Greece.

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33 The Roman Republic