By taking over plazes
Over control of the Western Mediterranean.
Rome achieved hegemony over the western Mediterranean sea and the surrounding areas .
Elimination of its rival power gave it control over the western Mediterranean.
Rome control over the Mediterranean meant that she could keep piracy in check.
Carthrage, of course!
The Romans gradually took over all the lands on the coast of the Mediterranean and controlled the whole of it.
It became dominant in the Western Mediterranean, and then became embroiled in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Rome's location in the Mediterranean area (though it was not actually on the coast of this sea) meant that Rome's first imperial expansion occurred around the Mediterranean Sea. She took over all the areas around its shores.
Contesting Rome over control of the Western Mediterranean.
Over control of the Western Mediterranean.
Control of the Western Mediterranean.