Changes

== The Punic Wars ==

== The Punic Wars ==

Carthage was a rival for Mediterranean Sea power for the [[Roman Republic]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roman-empire.net/republic/carthage.html |title=Carthage |author= |website= |publisher=Roman-empire.net |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref> who wanted to take over the whole western [[Mediterranean]] Sea.  Carthage was a large obstacle to that. So, in 264 BC, the Romans responded to a plea for help by some rebels in [[Messina]], and landed an army in [[Sicily]]. This started the [[First Punic War]].  The Romans then invaded the Carthaginian holdings in Sicily, and the Carthaginian generals could not stop them.  Even at sea, the Romans were able to copy the Carthaginian [[bireme]] ships and win several major victories on the sea, though the Carthaginians had long fought at sea and the Romans were new to this.   

Carthage was a rival for Mediterranean Sea power for the [[Roman Republic]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roman-empire.net/republic/carthage.html |title=Carthage |author= |website= |publisher=Roman-empire.net |accessdate=8 January 2016 |archive-date=22 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822201345/http://www.roman-empire.net/republic/carthage.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> who wanted to take over the whole western [[Mediterranean]] Sea.  Carthage was a large obstacle to that. So, in 264 BC, the Romans responded to a plea for help by some rebels in [[Messina]], and landed an army in [[Sicily]]. This started the [[First Punic War]].  The Romans then invaded the Carthaginian holdings in Sicily, and the Carthaginian generals could not stop them.  Even at sea, the Romans were able to copy the Carthaginian [[bireme]] ships and win several major victories on the sea, though the Carthaginians had long fought at sea and the Romans were new to this.   

Finally, a general named Hamilcar Barca took up the Carthaginian defense in place of the decidedly older, less energetic Hanno. Hamilcar immediately realized the futility of meeting the superior [[Roman army]] in open battle, so he decided to use hit-and-run raids to wear down the Romans. This tactic was slightly more effective against the slow, heavily armored roman troops. Eventually, however the Romans were able to take Lilybaeum, the Carthaginian's main stronghold in Sicily. This ended Carthage's power in Sicily and ended the First Punic War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livius.org/articles/place/carthage/ |title=Carthage |author= |website= |publisher=Livius.org |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>  

Finally, a general named Hamilcar Barca took up the Carthaginian defense in place of the decidedly older, less energetic Hanno. Hamilcar immediately realized the futility of meeting the superior [[Roman army]] in open battle, so he decided to use hit-and-run raids to wear down the Romans. This tactic was slightly more effective against the slow, heavily armored roman troops. Eventually, however the Romans were able to take Lilybaeum, the Carthaginian's main stronghold in Sicily. This ended Carthage's power in Sicily and ended the First Punic War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livius.org/articles/place/carthage/ |title=Carthage |author= |website= |publisher=Livius.org |accessdate=8 January 2016}}</ref>