A Carthaginian historical simulation

Por: André Geraque Kiffer

The three wars fought between Rome and Carthage (from the Phoenician Kart hadasht, new city) from the 3rd century BC are called the Punic Wars (from the Latin poeni, Phoenicians). Domination of the Mediterranean was at stake. From the “Hundred Years’ War” fought between Carthage and Rome, we will analyze how the Carthaginians could have better faced the Roman “Total War” policy, guided by the concepts of Karl von Clausewitz in his work “Vom Kriege” (On War). We will also analyze, guided by the concepts of Sun Tzu in his work “The Art of War” and Julian Stafford Corbett in his “Some Principles of Maritime Strategy”, how the Carthaginians could, since 264 BC, have privileged the use of a strategy of indirect approach, making use, mainly, of its initial maritime superiority. Let's consider, to make the next simulation possible, that the political power of Carthage would have understood the risk of living in the shadow of Rome. They would understand that, despite the vocation of their people (of Phoenician origin) being essentially mercantilist, they would not be able to continue to practice it peacefully, in case the Roman Senate decided to expand their territory beyond the Italian peninsula.