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The initial expansion of Rome into the Mediterranean was a gradual and slow process and was mainly the results of wars she fought, rather than a pre-planned design of imperial expansion.

Rome's expansion into central and southern Italy occurred as a result of the three Samnite wars (343-341 BC, 326-304 BC and 2980-290 BC) which she fought against the Samnites who lived to the south of Rome. Rome did not annex the peoples of these areas. Instead she established alliances in which these peoples supplied soldiers to Rome.

Rome established control over the western basin of the Mediterranean as a result of the three Punic Wars (264-241 BC, 218-201 BC and 149-146 BC) which she fought against Carthage. The first was was started by tensions created by some mercenaries in northeast Sicily and developed into a struggle over the control of Sicily between Rome and Carthage. In the second war Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, invaded Italy but was defeated and Rome took over the Carthaginian territories in southern Spain and gained control over the western Mediterranean. Rome's objective in the third war was to destroy Carthage.

Rome's expansion into the eastern Mediterranean started with the annexation of mainland Greece (146 BC). This was due to Rome having been drawn into wars between Greek states to support allies she had made in Greece. Rome wanted to end the instability as secure her control over the area.

Rome's expansion into Turkey was the result of the bequest of two kingdoms in western Turkey to her and the three Mithridatic Wars (883-84 BC, 83-81 BC, -and 75-63 BC). King Mithridates VI of Pontus (a kingdom in northeastern Turkey) wanted to expand into Turkey and tried to turn Rome's allies against her.

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12y ago

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