Punic War vs the Jugurthine War

[Pontius Pilate]

After the end of the second Punic War Carthage had pretty much lost its final chance to defeat Rome in a conventional war. It simply did not have the resources or manpower to combat the Romans. Rome had seized much of Carthage's mercenary recruitment areas and forced it to pay heavy tribute. The third Punic War wasn't even fought for necesity on the part of the Romans, they just wanted Carthage out of the picture once and for all. So I don't think Carthage could have beat Rome in any war after the 2nd Punic, let alone the Jugurthine War. It is also true that Rome was nearly destroyed in the 2nd Punic, but history turned out different. Still, it would be interesting to think about how much the world would be different today if Carthage defeated Rome.

[Matinius Brutus]

After the end of the second Punic War Carthage had pretty much lost its final chance to defeat Rome in a conventional war. It simply did not have the resources or manpower to combat the Romans. Rome had seized much of Carthage's mercenary recruitment areas and forced it to pay heavy tribute. The third Punic War wasn't even fought for necesity on the part of the Romans, they just wanted Carthage out of the picture once and for all. So I don't think Carthage could have beat Rome in any war after the 2nd Punic, let alone the Jugurthine War. It is also true that Rome was nearly destroyed in the 2nd Punic, but history turned out different. Still, it would be interesting to think about how much the world would be different today if Carthage defeated Rome.

I don't had even Carthage managed to win they would be able to secure an empire. Most probably the Italians would have managed to overthrow them and then - who knows? And an earlier invasion of Europe by the Germanic tribes would have been successful and so on and so on.

[General Appo]

Not even during the very darkest hours of the Second Punic War was Rome ever close to final defeat. Even after Cannae Hannibal could not even dream of actually taking Roma itself, nor ever really threaten Rome´s system of subjugated allies, especially not the vital Latin allies, of which pretty much no one switched sides.
At best he could have hoped that a quick march on Rome would finally break the legendary Roman stubborness and determination to never accept defeat, and hopefully work out a deal in Carthage´s favour. Of course, during the time it takes to make such an deal Rome other armies and allies would almost certainly be standing outside Hannibals camp with 5 times as many men.