The First Punic War and the Beginning of Overseas Imperialism, 264-241 BCE

Question 1

What Etruscan city did Rome emphatically destroy in 264 BCE marking their complete control over the Italian Peninsula?

Answer 1

Volsinii

Question 2

With what city just three miles from Sicily across the Straits of Messina did Rome ally themselves in 285 BCE?

Answer 2

Rhegium

Question 3

What are the years of the First Punic War?

Answer 3

264-241 BCE

Question 4

Once greatly influenced by Hellenistic culture and trade, Carthage was able to essentially exclude the Greeks from the Mediterranean after they occupied what island just south of Sicily?

Answer 4

Melita (Malta)

Question 5

What Campanian mercenaries, previously hired by Syracuse, took over the town of Messana in 289 BCE?

Answer 5

Mamertines

Question 6

What King of Syracuse attacked the Mamertines at Messana in 265 BCE after which the defending mercenaries appealed to Carthage for assistance?

Answer 6

Hiero II

Question 7

Fearing that the Carthaginians would overstay their welcome at Messana, the Mamertines then appealed to Rome for assistance, which most of the senate believed would lead to a disadvantaged war against the seafaring Carthaginians. However, what Roman consul persuaded the senate to accept this alliance with the Mamertines?

Answer 7

Appius Claudius Caudex

Question 8

Fear and paranoia over powerful neighbors, desire for military glory among ambitious aristocrats, and aversion towards others using Sicily (and Messana) as a military base led Rome to begin what war in 264 BCE?

Answer 8

First Punic War

Question 9

Alarmed that Appius Claudius Caudex’s army was able to cross the straits of Messana too easily, what Syracusan king backtracked his deal with Carthage and agreed to help Rome instead?

Answer 9

Hiero II

Question 10

With the aid of Hiero II, the Romans were able to capture what Carthaginian stronghold in 262 BCE?

Answer 10

Agrigentum

Question 11

What grappling plank did the Romans invent during the First Punic War in order to more properly deal with the impressive fleet of the Carthaginians?

Answer 11

Corvus

Question 12

In what year was the battle of Mylae?

Answer 12

260 BCE

Question 13

In what battle of 260 BCE, Rome’s first naval victory, did the Gaius Duilius led Romans defeat the Carthaginians?

Answer 13

Mylae

Question 14

Who was the Roman commander at the battle of Mylae?

Answer 14

Gaius Duilius

Question 15

Following what battle did Rome construct a column in the Forum dedicated to Gaius Duilius?

Answer 15

Mylae

Question 16

At what battle of 256 BCE did Atilius Regulus and Manlius lead the Romans to a victory over the Carthaginians?

Answer 16

Cape Ecnomus

Question 17

What Roman consul of 256 BCE offered terms of peace to Carthage believing they were ready to give up the war following his victory at Cape Ecnomus?

Answer 17

(M.) Atilius Regulus

Question 18

While the Romans were largely idle in the winter following their victory at Cape Ecnomus in 256, the Carthaginians were hard at work shoring up their army with mercenaries, most notably hiring what Spartan mercenary?

Answer 18

Xanthippus

Question 19

At what battle of 255 BCE did a Carthaginian army led by Xanthippus rout a Roman army, taking Atilius Regulus as prisoner?

Answer 19

Bagradas Valley

Question 20

What man was captured following the disastrous defeat of Bagradas Valley at the hands of Xanthippus in 255 BCE?

Answer 20

Atilius Regulus

Question 21

What man was brought to Rome as a prisoner of war to tell his citizens to surrender but surprisingly urges them to fight on, an act of bravery which led to the Carthaginians killing him back home?

Answer 21

Atilius Regulus

Question 22

The Carthaginians tried to counterattack the Romans what battle of 255 BCE before their navy was wiped out by a storm?

Answer 22

Cape Hermaeum

Question 23

What Sicilian stronghold did the Romans capture in 254 BCE, nearly driving out Carthage from the island for good?

Answer 23

Panormus

Question 24

Who might have exclaimed “Throw the damn chickens into the sea; if they won’t eat, let them drink” before suffering a defeat at the Drepana in 249 BCE?

Answer 24

Claudius Pulcher

Question 25

What Sicilian stronghold did the Romans attempt to capture in 249 BCE led by Claudius Pulcher?

Answer 25

Drepana

Question 26

What Sicilian stronghold was ill-fated to be captured after the sacred chickens refused to eat before battle leading to a defeat by the Carthaginian Adherbal?

Answer 26

Drepana

Question 27

Panormus and Drepana were joined by what other Sicilian stronghold which the Romans were not able to seize in 249 BCE?

Answer 27

Lilybaeum

Question 28

What Carthaginian general, who rightfully earned his nickname meaning “blitz” or “lightning”, terrorized Rome with daring raids upon the Italian coast?

Answer 28

Hamilcar Barca

Question 29

What general, having earned chief command of Carthage in 247 BCE, gained footholds at Mt. Hercte near Panormus, and Mt. Eryx near Drepana, fighting guerrilla warfare against Romans?

Answer 29

Hamilcar Barca

Question 30

While Hamilcar Barca was seemingly on his way to ending the First Punic War himself, what other Carthaginian, who came into control over the government, seemed less interested in winning the war in favor of African conquest?

Answer 30

Hanno (the Great)

Question 31

At what battle of 241 did Lutatius Catulus defeat the Carthaginians led by Hanno the Great?

Answer 31

Aegates Islands

Question 32

What Roman consul of 241 BCE, who had previously been the victor of Aegates Islands, negotiated peace terms with Hamilcar Barca ending the First Punic War?

Answer 32

Lutatius Catulus