by Kevin Thalersmith

Created on: July 16, 2009   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

Very few states ever threatened the Roman Empire during its rule. Only the Cisalpine Gauls, Carthage, Mithridates, and the Germanic Barbarians proved enough of a serious threat for the people of Rome to devote their full energies to war. While the Gauls sacked Rome and the Barbarians eventually ended the Empire, it was Carthage that caused Rome the most trouble. Rome and Carthage fought each other in three non-continuous wars between 264 B.C. and 146 B.C. The view of history allows us to see these wars decided not only control of the Mediterranean, but the future of western culture.

The Origins of Rome and Carthage

By the time of the Romans first conflict with the Carthaginians, the Roman Republic had existed as an independent state for over 200 years. The city of Rome, once a small village on the river Tiber, proceeded to conquer most of present-day Italy, mostly because of defensive wars. The Republic's citizen armies were one of the best in the ancient world, yet they were untested against a foreign foe. Rome's growing influence pushed it into conflict with the naval and trading power of Carthage.

The Phoenician city of Carthage was said to be established by Queen Dido around 800 B.C. The city functioned as a trading colony until it too gained independence. After throwing off Phoenician rule the prosperity and power of Carthage increased. It used its navy to establish Carthaginian bases on Sicily and the Iberian Peninsula (present-day Spain). From these three areas, Carthage established trade routes with Rome and the Greek colonies of the Western Mediterranean. However, it would be the Carthaginian presence in Sicily that brought the city-state into war with Rome.

The First Punic War

The First Punic War broke out when the Mamertines, a mercenary group who had occupied the city of Messana in Sicily, asked both Carthage and Rome for protection against the city of Syracuse. Although Carthage offered terms, the Mamertines felt the Romans would offer them better protection. The Roman Senate debated the decision until the Popular Assembly voted for war. Carthage, feeling Rome broke pervious treaties separating each city's sphere of influence, declared war on Rome and sent an army to Sicily. The war quickly became a battle for supremacy between Carthage and Rome; Syracuse switched sides and joined the Roman side early in war.

The war was long by Roman standards for much of its history. It lasted 23 years and was the first conflict that

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