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Over a period of decades, the Romans expanded from Tunisia and came to dominate the entire coastline of North Africa. They first conquered Numidia (Algeria), under Marius and eventually established a client kingdom in present-day northern Morocco.<ref> Scullard, p. 189</ref> The victory over Carthage allowed Rome to dominate the North African coastline from the Sinai to Morocco.
====Roman Food Supply====The population of Rome was growing grew rapidly in the second century BC and many Roman feared that a lack of food production would be insufficient. This shortage could limit its Rome's growth or lead to social unrest. The vast city was placing an intolerable burden on the agricultural resources of Italy. One of the reasons why Rome initiated the Third Punic War was to seize the rich farmlands of Carthage. The Carthaginians were not just great mariners and traders but also accomplished farmers. The Romans seizure of the lands of their enemies was very important, it allowed them to secure grain for their ever-expanding population. The climate in North Africa in Antiquity was much wetter than today and it was excellent for the growing of grains such as wheat. The Province of Africa was to become became the breadbasket of the Roman Empire for many centuries. Over a this period, the Annonae system was established and this was allowed the free distribution of grain to Roman citizens.<ref>Erdkamp, Paul The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Rome. United Kingdom (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000), p 213</ref>. Most of this grain came from the province of Africa and the former territories of Carthage. The conquest of the former lands of their bitter enemies allowed them to a develop a secure and cheap food source for the city. This allowed the economy to grow in Rome and helped to maintain social stability in the sprawling metropolis for over seven centuries.
==Conclusion==
The rivalry between Rome and Carthage was one of the greatest in Antiquity if not in all of history. The victory of the Romans in the Third Punic War was total and led to the disappearance of the Carthaginian State. This was very important in the rise of Rome and helped it to become the superpower in the Mediterranean. The destruction of Carthage allowed Rome to become the only significant naval power in the sea and this was essential in the growth and maintenance of its Empire. The control of the Mediterranean allowed the Roman Republic to dominate trade and this allowed it to grow rich. The victory of Scipio Aemilianus led to the establishment of the province of Africa and this in turn eventually led to conquest of extensive North African territories. The destruction of the great city of Carthage, in 146 BC marks a new phase in the history of Rome. Without a serious rival the Romans would expand their Empire greatly and dominate much of Europe, the Near East and North Africa for centuries.
