The Romans were a very powerful people and their influence grew and spread very quickly. Through organized armies and great tactics they reached the Italian peninsula, wresting lands and territories from the Etruscan League. Rome now owned most of the Italian peninsula, except for what was owned by the Gaelic tribes. (Barker) They became a real power and all of Europe recognized them as a powerful force. Their influence grew and spread throughout the Mediterranean Sea and forced the meeting of the two largest forces in the Mediterranean Sea. It is 264 BC and hostilities between the Carthaginians and the Roman Republic are on the rise. The fate of the island of Sicily hangs in the balance. The Romans are hungry for power and land, while Carthage wants the same. Both are powerful and wealthy traders and intend to remain so. They were both the most powerful forces in the Mediterranean. The Romans held military glory in the highest regard and made military service a necessary part of political progress. Carthage valued military glory, but its army was composed primarily 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 borrows much of its warfare tactics from the Greeks, such as the phalanx which proved extremely effective in warfare. Carthage recruited most of its army from mercenaries from Spanish Iberia. The most famous Carthaginian infantry was the Sacred Band, deadly elite spearmen who fought in a compact phalanx. The Sacred Band was also said to be strongly devoted to their goddess known as Tanit (Basar). The richest mercenaries fought using Greek armor...... 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 Cannae." After the Battle of Cannae. UNRV, (http://www.unrv.com/empire/after-cannae.php)Sigurdasen. "Battle of Lake Trasimeno: ambush of Hannibal's Carthaginians, defeat of the Romans." The American Legion burn pit. (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)