No Punic Wars

[Nicole]

What if Carthage had not supported the Sicilian cities against Latin pirates (if I recall right, this was the cause of the Punic War). What would be effects of such a thing?

If I recall, Sicily was Rome's first expansion outside of Italy, and the first province. Would a massive Mediterranean-spanning Rome be avoided if this first conquest is cut off?

 

[Susano]

The cause of the war was actually a common Roman-Carthagian expedition in support of some greke city on Sicily against mercenaries. Apparently the Romans felt teh Cathaginians had violated their honour or somesuch. Anyways... the exact reaosnd oesnt matter. That all can be PoDded away.

However, since the conquets of South Italy, Sicily came into the Roman Sphere of Influence. And it already was in the Carthaginian Sphere of Influence. So the two powers would eventualyl clash about just that subject, Sicily. However, what could be avoided is that "enemyship to the death of one side" that followed afterwrads. With a bit elss Roman arorgance, and a bit less Cartahginian revanchism that couldv been possible. But, ya... elss roman arorgance... who am I kidding...