The First Punic War
In 264 BCE, the first of three important wars broke out between the Romans and
the North American Empire of Carthage. These wars were caused by vicious hungry
nations that were in the process of expanding their empire or invading other lands. The
Romans declared war so that they could limit Carthaginians power. Rome had become
the ruling power throughout the Italian peninsula, while Carthage the wealthiest and
most advanced city in northern Africa.
The first Punic war started with a request in Messina for the Romans to help them
to defeat the Carthaginians. Rome saw this to be a good opportunity to stop the
expansion of the Carthaginian Empire and the possible attack on Italy. The Carthaginians
were told that they must stop their invasion or war would be waged on. They did not
stop and Rome declared war.
After the victory over Carthage, the Romans began surrounding Greek cities that
allied with the Carthaginians and the Romans sac...