The Romans were a very powerful people and their influence grew and spread very quickly. Through organized armies and great tactics, they marched up the Italian peninsula, seizing lands and territories from the Etruscan League. Rome now owned most of the Italian peninsula, except for what belonged to the Gaelic tribes. (Barker) They became a real power and all of Europe recognized them as a powerful force. Their influence grew and spread across the Mediterranean Sea and forced the meeting of the two greatest forces in the Mediterranean Sea. The year is 264 BC and hostilities between the Carthaginians and the Roman Republic are intensifying. The fate of the island of Sicily hangs in the balance. The Romans crave power and land, while Carthage wants the same. Both are powerful and wealthy traders and plan to remain so. They were both the most powerful forces in the Mediterranean. The Romans held military glory in the highest esteem and made military service essential to political advancement. Carthage also possessed great military glory, but its army was primarily composed of mercenary soldiers rather than citizen soldiers. Carthage had one of the largest armies in the entire world. Carthage had an extremely powerful naval fleet and advanced warfare tactics. Carthage borrowed many of its war tactics from the Greeks, such as the phalanx which proved extremely effective in warfare. Carthage recruited the majority of its army from mercenaries from Spain's Iberian Peninsula. The most famous Carthaginian infantry was the Sacred Band, deadly elite spearmen who fought in close phalanxes. The Sacred Band were also said to be devout devotees to their goddess known as Tanit (Basar). The richest mercenaries fought using Greek weapons...... middle of paper ......ols/armor/)Basar, Paul. “The weapons and armor of the Punic Phoenicians.” The weapons and armor of the Punic Phoenicians. (http://phoenicia.org/carthagearmor.html)Phil Barker "Etruscan League". Etruscan League. (http://dba.spearhead1944.com/Etruscans/webpage/etruscan.htm)Rickard, J., Battle of Trebia, late December 218 BC, (http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_trebia.html )UNRV “After the Battle of Cannes.” After the Battle of Cannes. UNRV, (http://www.unrv.com/empire/after-cannae.php)Sigurdasen. "Battle of Lake Trasimene: ambush of Hannibal's Carthaginians, defeat of the Romans." Home of the American Legion.” (http://burnpit.us/2012/06/battle-lake-trasimene-hannibals-carthaginians-ambush-defeat-romans)Hickman, Kenny. “Punic Wars: Battle of Zama.” About.com Military History. (http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/battleswarsto1000/p/zama.htm)