The First Punic War (264-241 BCE) was fought between Carthage and Rome largely over control of Sicily. The war was fought on the island, at sea, and in north Africa. Both sides enjoyed victories and suffered near-catastrophic defeats. The Romans, with seemingly inexhaustible resources, adapted to the necessities of naval warfare and eventually won.
More about: First Punic WarServer Costs Fundraiser 2026
It costs $20,000 a year to run our servers, and we need your help to pay for them!
$5097 / $20000
Definition
Timeline
-
264 BCEThe Mamertines at Messana on Sicily call for Carthaginian and then Roman help in defence against Syracuse, sparking the First Punic War.
-
264 BCE - 241 BCEFirst Punic War. Carthage cedes Sicily to Rome.
-
c. 263 BCEAntaros and 3000 Celts fight with Carthage in the First Punic War.
-
263 BCESegesta joins the Roman cause in the First Punic War.
-
262 BCERome besieges and sacks Agrigento on Sicily in one of the first actions of the First Punic War.
-
260 BCEFirst Roman naval victory against Carthage off Mylae in the First Punic War.
-
260 BCERome builds a fleet of 120 ships in just 60 days to fight the First Punic War.
-
258 BCERome wins a naval battle against Carthage at Sulcis during the First Punic War.
-
256 BCERoman naval victory against Carthage off Ecnomus during the First Punic War.
-
256 BCERome lands an army of four legions on African soil at Clupea during the First Punic War.
-
256 BCERome wins a land battle south of Tunis during the First Punic War.
-
255 BCE - 253 BCERoman fleets are wrecked by storms off Pachynus and Palinurus during the First Punic War.
-
255 BCECarthage sues for peace during the First Punic War but the Roman consul Regulus' excessive demands are rejected.
-
255 BCEA Carthaginain army led by the mercenary Spartan commander Xanthippus defeats two Roman legions near Tunis during the First Punic War.
-
254 BCERomans capture Palermo during the First Punic War.
-
Jun 250 BCEA Carthaginian army led by Hasdrubal is defeated by Roman consul Metellus near Palermo in the First Punic War.
-
249 BCECarthage defeats Rome in a naval battle at Drepanum during the First Punic War.
-
249 BCEAntaros withdraws his support from Carthage.
-
247 BCEHamilcar Barca raids southern Italy and then lands on Sicily during the First Punic War.
-
244 BCEHamilcar Barca captures Eryx on Sicily during the First Punic War.
-
242 BCEA Roman fleet besieges the Carthaginian stronghold of Drepana on Sicily during the First Punic War.
-
241 BCERoman naval victory off the Aegates Islands leads to victory over Carthage, ending the First Punic War.
