What is First Punic War?
[[File:First Punic War 264 BC.png|thumb|War began in 264 BC]] The '''First Punic War''' started in 264 [[BC]]. It lasted for 23 years, ending in 241 BC. It was the first of three wars fought between ancient [[Carthage]] and the [[Roman Republic]].<ref>Goldsworthy, Adrian Keith 2007. ''The fall of Carthage: the Punic Wars 265–146 BC''. Cassell. {{ISBN|0-304-36642-0}}</ref> They were rivals for [[trade]] and influence in the [[Mediterranean]]. For more than 20 years the two powers struggled for supremacy. Key areas were the island of [[Sicily]] and its surrounding waters, and also [[North Africa]]. Rome eventually won control of Sicily. With the help of her own allies and rebels among the indigenous African allies of Carthage, Rome won the First Punic War after 23 years. In the end it became the dominant [[naval]] power of the Mediterranean. To get terms for peace, the Carthaginians had to pay a large amount of money (in [[silver]]), and give up a number of islands in the Mediterranean. They kept [[Sardinia]] and [[Corsica]]. == References == {{reflist}} {{-}} {{history-stub}} [[Category:3rd century BC]] [[Category:Punic Wars]] [[Category:Wars and battles of Ancient Rome]]