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Over a period of decades, the Romans expanded from Tunisia and dominated 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==How North Africa become the breadbasket of Rome? ==
Rome's population grew rapidly in the second century BC, and many Roman feared that food production would be insufficient. This shortage could limit 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 Rome initiated the Third Punic War was to seize Carthage's rich farmlands. The Carthaginians were not just great mariners and traders but also accomplished farmers. The Romans' seizure of the lands of their enemies was significant. 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 became the breadbasket of the Roman Empire for centuries. Over this period, the Annonae system was established and 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 their bitter enemies' former lands allowed them to develop a secure and cheap food source for the city. This allowed the economy to grow in Rome and maintain social stability in the sprawling metropolis for over seven centuries.
====Conclusion====
