How and Why Rome and Carthage Went to War in 264 BC

Tides of History

• Episode: How and Why Rome and Carthage Went to War in 264 BC
• Website: Tides of History
• Feed URL: https://rss.art19.com/tides-of-history
• Duration: 00:37:28
• Published: 2025-03-13 08:01

There was no particularly pressing reason for Rome and Carthage to go to war in 264 BC over the small city of Messana, but one small incident nevertheless sparked a conflict that lasted for 23 years and caused untold devastation. Why did this happen? Was war between the two great powers actually inevitable?

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