부산대학교 도서관

This article dealt with the origins of the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage. First, it examined the bilateral relationship between the two countries prior to the first war. Until the start of the first war Rome was slowly and gradually growing, and the two countries were maintaining peace. This peace was shattered once the 'Messana incident' was sparked. The Messana incident involved Syracusae’s tyrant Hiero attacking Mamertines which was controlling Messana at the time after the Mamertines requested for help from Rome and Carthage. It is not clear whether the Mamertines requested help from both Rome and Carthage simultaneously or from Carthage first and then Rome after Hiero's second attack. However, the important thing was that both Roman and Carthage armies were hence simultaneously stationed in Sicily. Following this, the first Punic War was sparked. The oldest theory explaining the cause of Rome and Carthage's war was the inevitability of Rome participating in the war because of Carthage's threat. Of course, it is a fact that Carthage held a large empire. If in this situation Carthage possessed Messana as well, Rome would have faced a great threat. However, it is too simplistic an explanation to attribute Carthage's threat via expansion as the only cause of the war. Another important cause of the war can be found within Roman society. Romans actively pursued economic interests and honor through warfare. The spoils of war were given to Roman citizens and sailors. Even the Roman nobles pursued the economic spoils of war. Another thing nobles desired to acquire was “honor”. To the leaders of Rome, military triumph was indeed a great honor. The Roman leaders' desire to achieve honor was another one of the causes of the First Punic War. Once Rome accepted Messana's request for help they kept war in mind at the time they were stationed in Sicily. As mentioned earlier, the choice of Rome was guided by economic benefits and nobles' pursuit of honor. However, the graphical illustration of Rome's Sicily in 264 did not imply Roman goal as being Carthingian. Polybius claimed Rome aimed to top Carthage since they moved to Sicily. However, scholars like Scullard and Hoyos claim Rome's main aim was Syracusae, for the purpose of Messana's protection. Even if Scullard and Hoyos were correct in claiming Rome's original aim was towards Syracusae, once the war started the primary goal and strategy became one against Carthage.