Chronology of wars/Reasons for warsTrojan War c. 1200 BC lasted approx. 9 years Greeks against the people of Troy The Trojan prince Paris kidnapped Helen, wife of Menelaus of Sparta. The Spartans refused to return Helen to Sparta, so Menelaus persuaded his brother Agamemnon to lead an army against Troy. They fought for nine years but never managed to defeat the main city. The Greeks then built a large wooden horse in which the warriors were hidden. The Greeks seemed to be leaving and the horse was left at the city gates. The Trojans brought the horse inside the gates and the other Greeks returned at night. The people hidden inside the horse opened the gates to these Greeks and destroyed Troy. This war could also have another motive as to who controlled trade through the Dardanelles. Punic Wars 264-146 BC Carthaginians versus Romans The Carthaginians and Romans fought in three different wars over the course of 118 years. The Romans fought the Carthaginians to ruin their hold on a chain of islands that would allow them to control the western Mediterranean. The Romans wanted to be in control. They then fought for land in Italy, particularly in Sicily. During the third conflict, the Carthaginians attempted to save their city and lands from total capture by the Romans. In these wars, they primarily fought over the Mediterranean trade routes. Everyone wanted power and more territorial possession. Crusades (11th century-13th century) in the Holy Land The Byzantine emperor was unhappy with the encroachment of the Turks on his empire. He went to Pope Urban II and complained. He invented atrocities against the Turks. In 1096, Pope Urban II launched the crusade to retake the Holy Land from the barbaric Turks. These crusades lasted until the 13th century. In doing so, the Jews were persecuted and much looting took place. Many countries were interested in the Crusades because they were ready for travel and adventure. They wanted to expand trade with the Middle and Far East and so the Crusades gave them the opportunity to open trade routes with these countries. They used Christianity to justify the Crusades. In reality, they wanted to expand trade and gain more territorial land. Chinese History Often countries or leaders try to impose too many restrictions on their subjects or territories, then the people rebel..