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Rome and Carthage fought three wars within 100 years. During the First Punic War, Rome was concerned that Carthage was gaining too much power over the sea trading routes and that Rome was in danger of not getting enough grain from Sicily as a result. Rome built its own naval fleet and captured Sicily for itself.

Rome lost the Second Punic War. Rome was planning to attack the Carthaginians in Spain, because Rome felt threatened by the growing power of Carthage in Spain. However, the Carthaginians, led by the great general Hannibal, surprised the Roman army with an invasion. Carthage was never able to take control of the city Rome itself, however.

The Punic Wars finally ended with the Third Punic War. The Roman army burned Carthage to the ground in 146 B.C. and sold the Carthaginians into slavery. By the end of the Punic Wars the Republic expanded its holdings to include Greece, Macedonia, the Alps, Corsica, Sardinia, a large part of Spain, and Carthage.