Punic Wars

             The Punic wars were a set of three wars that stretched from 264-146 BCE. They were fought between the Romans and Carthaginians over trading and land disputes. Basically, two quickly expanding empires came in contact with each other and war was inevitable. There was a fierce competition of trade goods, which formed a strong rivalry between the two powers.
             Carthage was a city that had been formed by the Phoenicians from Tyre in the 8th century BCE. It was the strongest city in the Mediterranean by the 3rd century and its wealth was caused mainly by success at trade. Carthaginian merchants traded from end to end in the Mediterranean, the city's fleets were huge, and its army was one of the best in the ancient world.
             Rome was a budding republic, soon to be empire that was gaining large amounts of territory through military conquests. With these military conquests came booty plundered from conquered lands and trading rights of certain sea-lanes.
             Sicily was a land of plenty and was a valuable island to have under control. In 264 BCE, in the port city of Messana, there was a conflict between two factions controlling the city. One side called on Rome for help, while the other called on Carthage. Both thought it to be a local squabble and thought nothing of it. Carthage sent a small fleet to aid the locals and hopefully win an important city with good sea-lanes. Rome then sent a fleet larger then the Carthaginians to aid their side. The Carthaginians retreated back to Carthage. But, they responded with a much larger force, which forced the Romans out. The Romans sent in a consular army, of about 20,000, and hoped for victories across the island. The Carthaginians responded with a force of 50,000. Again, the Romans brought even more troops and here's when the fighting began. The Romans won quick victories in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, but needed a navy to support their army. They hired Greeks to captain Roman sh...

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