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It is not clear whether at the beginning of the Roman military action in Sicily a war between Rome and Carthage had been expected.
The war was started by tension created in northeastern Sicily by mercenaries called the Mamertines. They seized the city of Messana, on the strait between Sicily and the mainland on in the northeast of the island, killed all the men and took the women as their wives. They then started raiding the nearby area. This provoked a reaction from the Greek city of Syracuse, also on the east coast, which was the most powerful city-state in the island. In the east and south of Sicily there were Greek city-states.
The Mamartines appealed for help to both Rome and Carthage, which had five ports in western Sicily. Carthage accepted to help, but also imposed a Carthaginian Garrison in Messana. The Mamertines asked Rome for help again.
The Roman senate debated the issue and could not reach an agreement. Many senators did not want to help mercenaries who had stolen a city. The issue was passed on to the Assembly of the Soldiers which had the power to vote on war and peace. It voted for war.
Two Roman legions landed at Messana where the Mamertines had expelled the Carthaginian garrison. The Romans defeated the Syracusans who were besieging the city and then besieged Syracuse, which was forced into an alliance treaty and to agree to supply the Roman army. Some small Carthaginian dependencies defected to Rome. Carthage recruited a mercenary army and mobilized for war.
Ancient Greek historian Polybius thought that the Romans were concerned about a possible Carthaginian takeover of eastern Sicily, should Carthage clash with and defeat Syracuse.
There is no mention of whether Rome predicted a war with Carthage and it is likely that they did not expect that a major war would develop. Carthage had to respond to the perceived threat posed by the alliance between Rome and Syracuse. It is likely that they had not expected a major war to develop either. They probably thought that they could win a quick land war, especially considering that Rome did not have a navy to speak of. Instead, the land war got bogged down due to the rough terrain of the island and the Romans built a navy which matched the powerful Carthaginian navy in size, though not in skills, and the war ended up becoming a big conflict which lasted 23 years.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoRome allowed itself to be drawn to support a rebellion in Sicily by mercenaries against the Greek cities, and so put itself at odds with Carthage which was protecting its trading interests there.
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What was the series of wars between Carthage and Rome called?
The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.
Who fought for over 100 year between Rome and Carthage?
Rome and Carthage.
River between Rome and Carthage?
There is no river between Rome and Carthage. The two cities are on opposite sides of the Mediterranean Sea.
Who won the Punic War between the Rome and Carthage?
Rome.
How long did the war between Rome and Carthage last?
Sparta was a city-state in Greece. It had nothing to do with Rome in Italy and Carthage in Tunisia.
Where was the punic war fought?
The first Punic War was fought between Carthage, and Rome, the second was fought in Rome, and the third was fought in Carthage.
What was the series of wars between Carthage and Rome called?
The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.The three wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic wars.
Island fought over by rome and Carthage in the punic wars?
No island was found by Carthage and Rome. The first Punic War, the first of the tree wars fought between Rome and Carthage, was over the control of Sicily.
When were the first punic wars in Carthage?
The First Punic War was 264-241 BCE was between Carthage and Rome. It was in the Western Mediterran.
Who was Hannibal and what was the mane of the war between his homeland and Rome?
Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.Hannibal was a general from the city/empire of Carthage. He was a sworn enemy of Rome and the war between his homeland and Rome was the second Punic War. The wars between Rome and Carthage are referred to as the "punic" wars, as the word "punic" denoted Carthage or Phoenician.
Who fought for over 100 year between Rome and Carthage?
Rome and Carthage.
War between rome and Carthage?
The wars between Rome and Carthage were called the Punic Wars.
Why was the first war fought?
Between Carthage and Rome over influence in Sicily.
How did the first punic war end between Carthage and Rome?
Rome won. Rome then imposed a hefty was indemnity on Carthage and took advantage of a mercenary rebellion in Carthage to steal Sardinia and Corsica. Rome also won the 2nd and 3rd Punic wars.
River between Rome and Carthage?
There is no river between Rome and Carthage. The two cities are on opposite sides of the Mediterranean Sea.
Was The First Punic War a war between Rome and Greece?
The first Punic war, like all the Punic wars, were between Rome and Carthage.
Why was the first punic war fought?
Between Carthage and Rome over influence in Sicily.
