The Punic Wars outline a period characterised by three separate conflicts opposing Rome and Carthage between 264 and 146 BCE. The casus belli for the first war was hegemony over Sicily and the casus belli of the following two wars was hegemony over the Mediterranean Sea. Rome won all three wars, even though both Rome and Carthage losses were colossal. Despite this detriment, the conclusion of the Punic Wars laid the foundation of the Roman Empire. Notable figures during this period include Hannibal Barca, Scipio Africanus, Gaius Marius, Xanthippus and many more.
