What does the description of Rome's destruction of Carthage reveal about the nature of Roman imperialism?

Question

What does the description of Rome's destruction of Carthage reveal about the nature of Roman imperialism?

Answer 1

most Roman battle stories were written as self gratifying tributes to the empire.

Answer 2

It showed that the Romans weren't playing around when they waltzed into your settlement or town and said "We're taking this joint over, see?"
For the most part the Romans would hang around outside the gates of your community and lay seige to it. You'd be offered the oppurtunity to become a vassal state of Rome. You'd receive all the benefits associated with this including citizenship for the payment of taxes...alittle tribute...and maybe have some of those warriors you have over there become a unit within our powerful and well equipped Roman Army.
If you decide against this generous offer....we'll storm the gates...kill all the men and sell the women and children into slavery. Then burn everything to the ground, salt the earth so nothing will grow and make an example of you to others who'd even think of defying the might of the Roman Empire.

Answer 3

Well it goes without saying that it was completely brutal and vindictive .The real death blow to the city had to be sowing salt into the earth so that the city could never suppport itself by raising crops. In this way the Romans could continue to rule by reputation alone for another city or province would not rise up against Rome for fear of the same punishment.

It was such an impressive 'teaching tool' that later in history, the Nazi's did the same sort of thing by executing a dozen citizens or so for very German trooper killed by the Resistance.

Answer 4

Carthage exchange right into a paying for and merchandising capability, its militia exchange into adequate, yet not this is sturdy component (different than the elephants, needless to say). It did not rather stand a large gamble against the properly prepared, militaristic, and the two wealthy Rome. yet, as on your question, i for my area have not got any thought. i assume it does not be too complicated to have faith Carthage might have prolonged so some distance as Rome (regardless of the shown fact that Carthage did it in a greater non violent way). they had democracy, and that they have been very dedicated to paying for and merchandising, i think of they might have superior added than the Romans earlier the barbarian incursions. hypothesis, needless to say.