Roman Punic Wars, circumstances and overall effect. Also Gracchan turbulence

The circumstance for the Roman Punic Wars towards Rome was a simple human reaction. If an outsider such as Italy, Carthage, or Greece make threats towards Rome, Rome will simply fight. The Punic Wars lasted in 3 stages, all resulting to the obsessive pride and higher standings of Rome. Rome's initial desire of expansion was only for farming land. Romans believed like anyone else that victory brought them honor as well as a strong, political career. …

…objections or arguments were stabbed or clubbed to death by politicians. The people of Rome were no longer being disciplined as in times of the Punic Wars. The oligarchy was declining, and the people Rome were kept quite by free admittance to Coliseum games, along with food handouts. In modern terms, Rome was simply giving treats to their people just to shut them up. The Gracchan Turbulence led to the declining of the Roman Republic.