A look at how the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage began - by Nan C Avery

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by Nan C Avery

Created on: July 15, 2009 Last Updated: May 06, 2011

The Punic Wars began over a misunderstanding. The crisis that began on the island of Sicily brought on years of war.

Background

A small town on the Sicilian Coast, Marmertines, a mercenary group, ruled the town of Messana. The island of Sicily had three different groups ruling different areas. Heiro II ruled Syracuse and Carthage ruled the west coast. Originally, Agathocles of Carthage brought the Marmertines to control his portion of the island. After Agathocles died, the Marmetines seized Messana.

After twenty-five years of Marmertine control, Heiro II decided to recapture Messana. He came close to recapturing the city. Marmertines called on Rome and Carthage for help. Carthage answered the call first. The army was able to keep Heiro from taking the city.

The Marmertines realized that Carthage was a threat to them. Recognizing that Carthage was stronger than they, the Marmertines begged Rome to help them.

After heated debates, Rome decided to help Messana. They sent Consul Appius Claudius Caudex to Messana. The Marmertines forced the Punic garrison out of Messana. When the garrison commander returned to Carthage and executed, the Marmertines knew that Carthage wanted control over Messana.

First Punic War (Sicilian)

Both Carthage and Rome sent armies to Sicily. The Punic army (Carthage), under Hanno, made alliances with Agrigentum and Heiro II of Syracuse. The new alliance army laid siege to Messana.

Rome appealing to her allies secured ships. They arrived at the Messana coast and invaded the city. Surprisingly, Carthage did not fight with Rome. Many historians believe that Carthage did not want open warfare with Rome.

Heiro and Appius Claudius attempted to negotiate a treaty. The lack of trust on both sides negated the hope for negotiations. This lack of a peace treaty culminated in a war of twenty years.

The war ended Punic control of the sea. A signed treaty gave Rome the island of Sicily. Rome decided that they did not want Carthage in Sicily and kicked them out. Rome went on to seize the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Carthage was furious with Rome. Carthage's power and influence grew as they built alliances in Europe. Controlling the Iberian Peninsula made them a formidable force.

Second Punic War (Hannibal)

Carthage expanded their empire in Spain. A small city in Spain, Saguntum asked Rome for protection.

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