alternatehistory.com

After the First Punic War, Carthage was unable to pay off its massive Mercenary armies, which led to an open revolt where the mercenaries waged war against Carthage, led by Hamilcar Barca and Hanno the Great. The Mercenaries seemed to have had superior numbers, but doubtlessly had communication issues, having comprised of soldiers from all over the Western Mediterranean. The war has been described as one of the most heinous and brutal of conflicts in the ancient world.

So what would have happened if the Mercenaries won?

I'm inclined to think it would lead to a Roman invasion, as they were depending on Carthage to pay back its indemnities, and wouldn't want someone to get in the way of that. But with the Libyans, Berbers, and Numidians on their side, the mercenaries might come out of that conflict (Rome was still weakened from the First Punic War). But, given Rome's tenacity in war, it could also lead to an earlier Roman occupation of Africa. This could lead to a whole OTHER menagerie of conflicts spanning the region.
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