The War between Romans and Carthaginians marks the first significant military conquests that would transform Rome into one of the most imposing empires of antiquity. However, to understand the reasons for this conflict, we must first define the origins of the antagonism that brought these two military forces face to face throughout the 3rd century BC. Ç..
Before the conflict broke out, Carthage, a thriving commercial city of Phoenician origin, maintained good relations with the Roman state. As a strategic outpost, this North African city traded wheat, perfumes, stones precious metals, fabrics and ivory with the peoples of Brittany, Norway and the west coast of Africa. In addition, it had a powerful army capable of protecting the rich and prosperous trade routes maintained by that civilization.
The relationship between these two peoples shook when the Romans, despite not having an expressive maritime tradition, decided to invade the island of Sicily. Having great economic importance for the Carthaginians, they did not accept losing the lands that provided a valuable quantity of agricultural products obtained from the economic exploitation of those lands.
Over time, despite not having the same power in the waters, the Roman army overcame the Carthaginians thanks to the visible tactical skill of its soldiers on land. In the battle that took place in Mylae, the Romans forced the Carthaginian general Amílcar Barca to sign his surrender, in 241 BC. Ç. The signed treaty provided for the recognition of Roman rule in the region of Sicily and the imposition of a heavy indemnity to be paid by the Carthaginians.
The imposition created serious problems for the Carthaginian government. After financially repaying Rome, the Carthaginians could not afford to pay off their debts to the mercenaries who fought on their side. Enraged, these fighters eventually carried out, over the next three years, the sacking of several provinces that belonged to Carthage. Meanwhile, the Romans took the opportunity to conquer other nearby islands, such as Malta, Corsica and Sardinia.
Despite being defeated by the Romans, General Hamilcar did not believe that the interest of the empires in the Mediterranean Sea would end in that fateful episode of his military career. Therefore, he decided to organize a second military expedition in which he would attack the peoples who inhabited Spain. Through the domination of this other region, the Carthaginians displaced the stage of war that would give rise to the new conflicts that continued the Punic Wars.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/guerras/primeira-guerra-punica.htm
