First Punic War

The First Punic War was fought between Carthage and Rome from 264 BC to 241 BC. It was the first of three major wars fought between Carthage and the Roman Republic.

On March 10, 242 BC in the Battle of Aegusa[?], the Roman fleet sank 50 Carthaginian ships. As a result of this defeat, the Carthaginians submitted to a peace treaty the following year.

Background The war broke out when the Romans intervened in the affairs the cities of Sicily; In the city of Messana[?] (present-day Messina), some factions of citizens were asking for aid from the Carthaginians while others sought help from the Romans, at the war which they had against the city of Siracusa.