Money as a possible cause
“Eradicate money- eliminate war”
Peter I
Let’s start with the differences in their governments of Rome and Cartage
Right now we will see all possible reasons on the material plane. Italy (as I'll call Rome) was a republic. It was governing by Senate, wealthy people. Certainly they were choosing by people (through consuls). We have Rome, which is controlled by Senate and Consuls, who is from people. Carthage was too aristocratic- council of elders and National Assembly, means that whole government in Cartage wasn’t monarchic. Governments of both powers are proximately similar. They will pursuit not selfish aims (because both of them are chosen by people), competition between nation will led them to decision of war. We have understood governments of both states- both look at war some benefits for money, but in different condition.1
Now let’s consider Rome’s economy. Their economy was typical to that period- slavery and agricultural. Rome was an agricultural –farmed based society. If Rome farmed it needs new lands, it also needed slaves to work on them. In war Rome can annex some nations and turn them into slaves. By selling grain Rome received gold, money. The treasury in Rome was based on grain stocks as Rome depended on grain. Also Roman people paid taxes to treasury. It says that Rome didn’t base on money, exporting from colonies. 2Rome needed new lands for turning them into provinces for cultivation of grain, because grain was important for agricultural Rome. It means that Rome’s main aims in economy are new land for farm and slaves for work on it.3 P. Diznera (1887), German scientist made his own conclusion: Rome had economic base, which was more stable than the Carthaginian. Because of it Rome rose in socio-economically, politically and militarily and after war it was no equal to him opponent.
Just now, I will investigate economy of Carthage and found all possible things that can lead to war. Firstly, Carthage had a very diversified and complex economy. Their economy included sea and ground trade, slavery, agricultural and industrial. Agriculture was good developed (, but wasn’t main branch of economy), near Carthage city was many beautiful and rich private gardens and fields. Industry was highly developed, it were many pottery tools, clay stoves and jewelry manufacturers. Secondly, incomes came to Carthage from conquered countries, where taxes and tribute were high. During it most part of expenses were spending for army (because in there were many mercenaries). Thirdly, trade took main part in economy of Carthage, because it was “sovereign of the seas”. Fourthly, Carthage people didn’t pay taxes. Now, let’s make intermediate conclusion for Carthage economy: was trade state, which needed couple of things, such as raw and precious materials from colonies, a lot of money from colonies and strong navy. 4
For first overall conclusion I would say, that Rome and Carthage were both advanced powers. Rome was supporter of dynamic growing agricultural. Farm took main place in Roman economy. Carthage was quite different neighbor of Rome. It was advanced state, but main perspective was trade. Consequently successful trade needs colonies, key points, industry and strong navy. Different economy means different interests. If they had different interests and different sphere of working, what led them into war? What they wanted from each other? It is time to investigate three wars which nowadays named as Punic Wars.
[It is paragraph, which has direct attitude to the main research question. Here I sorted and filtered all mostly common and important, made it clarity and easy understanding. For answering each question we should know some part of information. First step is to find data and then use it for good reply on the inquire]