Perhaps one of the best ways to understanding how the Roman Republic gains prominence in world affairs is to view it as a consequence of its conflict with Carthage, the other main Mediterranean rival in the third through first centuries B.C. While God's plans extend to greater control over far further flung events this completion of his curse on the Phoenicians is a gripping tale and one most students will enjoy. I recommend the following video as it deals with many of the issues surrounding the second of the two "Punic" Wars (Roman for Phunic-or Phunecean) as a way to pear into the second of the major conflicts between these two powers. All of these dramatic events are, nonetheless still only the backdrop of God's plan in preparation for hte coming of Christ, the "filling of time," if you will.