Carthaginian influence followed the North African coast and the coasts of Corsica and Sardinia, with control of the Balearic Islands. Syracuse and semi-independent territory around Messana complicated Sicily's political geography. Rome and Carthage had previously cooperated as allies. Carthaginian ships had even transported Roman troops. Their position as the two leading western Mediterranean powers did not by itself require them to become enemies.
Notable Point · 22:38-25:14
The western Mediterranean before Rome and Carthage fought
Coastal possessions, Sicilian city-states and earlier Roman-Carthaginian cooperation shaped the region before war.