Bagnall provides a concise account of the causes and outcome of all three of the Punic wars, which pitted the growing Roman Republic against the Carthaginian mercantile empire. Over the course of 118 years both of these Mediterranean superpowers slugged it out; culminating in the eventual destruction of Carthage and Rome taking the first steps as an imperial power. However, without the restraining influence of Carthage, Romes expansionist policy would know no bounds and would eventually be one of the factors that lead to the fall of the Republic and birth of the Empire as people on longer had loyalty to a city that might be hundreds of miles away but to the military generals or local officials which intern increased the level of corruption. However, this would be another hundred years in the making but proved that the Punic wars was a watershed moment in western history. Even though this book is meant as an introduction to the topic Bagnall provides even minute details such as the humorous account of the Roman navel commander Publius Claudius Pulcher who after receiving bad omens about starting the navel when the sacred chicken on the ship would not eat stated that if they will not eat then let them drink throwing the chickens over the side of the ship. Ironically after doing this and joining battle with the Carthaginian fleet Publius Claudius Pulcher suffered a devastating defeat and the chickens didn't fair any better. As with other books in the Essential History series this book also looks at the worlds around the wars, the major personality, and the views of the citizens of both sides. In all the book is a great starting point for anyone interested in the Punic wars. ( )