264-241          First Punic War between Carthage and Rome

241                 Sicily becomes Rome’s first overseas province

238                Rome establishes a combined province on the islands of Sardinia and Corsica

230s              Carthage expands its territory in western Spain

220s              Rome conquers first Illyria then Cisalpine Gaul

218-202         Second Punic War

218                 Hannibal crosses the Alps and defeats Rome at Ticinus and Trebia

217                 Battle of Trasimene – Romans defeated

216                 Battle of Cannae – Romans suffer catastrophic defeat

214-205         First Macedonian War

211                  Hannibal’s march on Rome fails

204                Scipio Africanus invades Carthaginian territory in North Africa

202                Battle of Zama – final defeat of Carthage; Roman provinces of Nearer Spain and Further Spain established

200-197         Second Macedonian War

171-167           Third Macedonian War

149-146          Third Punic War

148                 Roman province of Macedonia established

146                 Sack of Corinth

146                 Sack of Carthage; Roman province of Africa established