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The War That Technically Lasted 2,000 Years
A Peace treaty wasn’t signed until the 20th century
The Punic Wars were a series of three wars between the cities of Rome and Carthage. In the end, Rome ultimately crushed its opponent, leaving Carthage in ruins. However, the story of these two cities was not over yet. It turns out that Rome and Carthage never officially signed a treaty ending the wars; it was an oversight not corrected until 1985.
The Punic Wars were a series of power struggles between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire over control of the western Mediterranean. Both cities had colonies across the sea, and a war was inevitable.
The First Punic War lasted from 264 to 241 BCE. A conflict over the control of Sicily sparked the conflict. The war began as a land conflict, but Carthage’s superior naval power prompted Rome to develop a strong navy. Even though they had early victories under the general Hamiclar Barca, eventually the Romans won. They took control of Sicily, and a truce was signed.
However, peace did not last. The Carthaginians simmered with revenge over the embarrassment of their loss in the first war…
