The story of how Carthage grew to become almost the equal of Rome is centred in the Punic wars which lasted from 264 BC to 146 BC.
Originally a Colony of Tyre, Carthage gained independence around 650 BC. They soon expanded to become a major hub of trade throughout the area. They were always in hostile terms with the Greeks and the Romans, which eventually led to series of wars that will see them extend their territory into Latium states initially occupied by the Romans.
First Punic War (264–241 BC):
This war, mostly fought on water, began as a conflict between Syracuse and Messina. With the Carthaginians taking the side of Syracuse and the Romans lending aid to Messina, this gradually escalated into a full-blown war between Carthage and Rome for the control of Sicily. The first Punic war was won by the…show more content… Carthage had already been defeated, had paid off her war indemnity and was once again prospering with her trade which the Carthaginians were so good at. A faction of the Roman senate had bought land and merchandize from the captured African states and were trading some of the same commodities as Carthage. The Romans were not as good as the Carthaginians when it came to trade and they saw this as a threat. A motion was brought forward in the senate by this faction led by Cato, who claimed that the recovery and constant rise of Carthage posed a great threat to Rome. He urged that the only defense against Carthage was to destroy it. In an attempt to defend her territory against neighbouring African invaders, Carthage violated the terms of the peace treaty with Rome, or so the Roman senate claimed, giving them the reason they needed to embark on another war with Carthage. "The walls of Carthage were torn down, the city put to the torch. The citizens were sold into slavery and the Senate passed a decree that no one could live where Carthage once stood." (Knox E .L.