The Punic Wars, a series of three wars fought between the Roman Republic and Carthage between 264 and 146 BCE, are known as the Punic Wars because the Latin term for Carthaginian is Punici (older Poenici, from their Phoenician ancestry).The main cause of the Punic Wars is the clash of interests between the existing Carthaginian Empire and the expanding Roman Republic.

The Romans are initially interested in expansion via Sicily, part of which lies under Carthaginian control.

At the start of the first Punic War, Carthage is the dominant power of the Western Mediterranean, with an extensive maritime empire, while Rome is the rapidly ascending power in Italy.

The First Punic War lasts for 23 years, during which the two powers struggle for supremacy in the western Mediterranean Sea.

Carthage, located in what is today Tunisia, Africa is the dominant Western Mediterranean power at the beginning of the conflicts.

Eventually, Rome emerges the victor, imposing strict treaty conditions and heavy financial penalties against Carthage.