Read about Rome's final consolidation of all the towns on the Italian peninsula, from the Rubicon to to the Strait of Sicily. The war against Pyrrhus gives us the ironic statement of a Pyrrhic victory.

The strength of the organization of the Roman army was the key to its success. Read about the composition of the army, Roman military strategy, and weaponry. The road system allowed the army to reach every part of Italy easily.

This chapter from William Morey's 1901 text lays out the entire course of the Second Punic War. The brilliant military strategies of Hannibal and Scipio Africanus are thoroughly explained.

Read about the exciting and futile attempt by Carthage to resist capture and destruction by the Romans in the Third Punic War.