The Punic Wars: Rome vs. Carthage for Mediterranean Dominance - Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Take your students on an exciting journey through one of the most pivotal periods in Ancient Roman history with this reading comprehension worksheet focused on The Punic Wars. These three epic conflicts between Rome and Carthage shaped the destiny of the Mediterranean world, culminating in Rome's emergence as the dominant power. Through this engaging resource, students will explore the rise of Roman naval strength, Hannibal's legendary invasion of Italy, and the final destruction of Carthage.

This worksheet provides a detailed look at the First, Second, and Third Punic Wars, giving students a deep understanding of key battles like Cannae and Zama, and the strategic innovations that allowed Rome to prevail. With a mix of primary source analysis, multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions, this resource encourages critical thinking and historical inquiry.

What’s Included:

• Informative Reading Passage detailing the events, strategies, and consequences of the Punic Wars.
• Primary Source Analysis featuring an excerpt from Livy on the Battle of Cannae to help students analyze ancient perspectives.
• Multiple-Choice, Matching, Fill-in-the-Blank, and Short-Answer Questions to assess comprehension and engage students with key details.
• Complete Answer Key for easy grading and feedback.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the causes, key events, and outcomes of the Punic Wars.
• Analyze the military tactics used by Rome and Carthage, including Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps and the use of the corvus.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Punic Wars on Rome’s dominance in the Mediterranean.
• Develop historical analysis skills through primary source engagement.

Perfect for: This worksheet is ideal for World History, Ancient Civilizations, or Social Studies classes for grades 7-12. It can be used for:

• Class discussions on Roman military strategy and empire-building.
• Homework assignments to deepen understanding of ancient warfare.
• Substitute teacher plans or review sessions in preparation for assessments.

Common Core Alignment:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2: Determine the central ideas of a source and provide an accurate summary.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis and reflection.

Great for courses like:

• World History: Ancient Rome
• Military History
• Geopolitical Conflicts in History

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