Foundation of Carthage
According to the legend, the queen of Tyre, Elissa, founded
the city of Carthage in 814 BCE. The Phoenician city is developing very fast
and gradually becomes to dominate the entire coast of Tunisia and North Africa.
-535 BCE
Etruscan-Carthaginian invasion in Corsica
A strategic point for controlling the navigation of the Mediterranean,
Corsica attracted the envy of neighbouring civilizations from ancient times.
Thus, a few years after the installation of the Phoenicians on the island, the Etruscans
and Carthaginians were trying to set foot on the island. If the first attempts
ended in failure, this was actually only a postponement. Indeed, less than a
century later, Carthage laid hands on Corsica
-264 BCE
Beginning of the First Punic War
A Roman army comes to the rescue of Mamertines, masters of Messina
and faces the attacks of Hiero of Syracuse. He wanted them out of Sicily to put
an end to their exactions against the neighbouring cities. Besieged, the
Mamertines were first called for help from the Carthaginians, before turning to
Rome. The arrival of Roman troops caused the alliance of Hiero and the
Carthaginians, but they were eventually defeated. The victory marked the beginning
of the First Punic War.
-262 BCE
Taken by the Romans
After a first victory against Syracuse and Carthage, the
Romans are concerned about the concentration of armed forces in Agrigento. To prevent
their enemies from retalieting, they decided to seize the premises. After this
new victory, many Sicilian cities joined Rome.