FIRST PUNIC WAR
264 - 241 B.C.

What does Punic mean?

The First Punic War was fought between the Carthaginian Empire and Rome. Famous general of this war was Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca.

Who won?
Rome won and Carthage lost Sicily.

Why was the First Punic War fought?
The First Punic War's primary cause was the desire of both, the Romans and the Carthaginians, to possess themselves of Sicily.

The Romans formed a fleet, and successfully competed with the marine of Carthage. During the latter half of the war, the military genius of Hamilcar Barca sustained the Carthaginian cause in Sicily.

At the end of twenty-four years, the Carthaginians sued for peace, though their aggregate loss in ships and men had been less than that sustained by the Romans since the beginning of the war.

Sicily became a Roman province.


Here are the maps:

Map of Rome's Expansion 264-180 BC
Click to enlarge

Map of Italy and Vicinity at the
Beginning of the Second Punic War 218 BC

MAP OF ROME AND CARTHAGE AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE SECOND PUNIC WAR 218 BC

It followed the Second Punic War and the Third Punic War.

See all Punic Wars.