The Mediterranean basin in the 3rd century BC politically was a very fragmented world, divided among a host of nations, few of which possessed more than a modicum of territory—with Rome and Cartage being the most prominent exceptions. From a modern perspective, this division had great repercussions as it prohibited the fertile exchange of ideas and commerce, holding back intellectual and cultural progress—though, it probably also helped check the spreading of pandemics. At the same time, however, Rome and Carthage were growing in prominence and, soon or later, a conflict of interests were bound to come up.
Looking at the astonishing growth of Rome, one might be tempted to think that her great success was due to some meticulous master plan;