BC250-231 Rome Controls the Mediterranean Sea

In my first twenty years, from 250-231 BC, the First Punic War ended in 241 BC giving Rome total control of Sicily -- and then it gained Corsica and Sardinia as well in 238 BC.

With the exception of the disastrous defeat at the battle of Tunis in Africa -- and the naval engagements of Lipari Islands and Drepana -- the first Punic war was mostly an unbroken string of Roman victories.

In 241 BC, Carthage signed a peace treaty giving Rome total control of Sicily. However, in 238 BC the mercenary troops of Carthage revolted and Rome took the opportunity to seize the islands of Corsica and Sardinia from Carthage as well.

From that point on, the Romans effectively controlled the Mediterranean and could prevent amphibious invasions as well as control the sea trade routes.