Carthage controlled most of the trade in the western basin of the Mediterranean. They managed to do so by ensuring their control of their ports in western Sicily after three Sicilian Wars against the Greeks of southern and eastern Sicily. They pushed the Greeks out of Sardinia. When Etruscan naval power faded, they also took over Corsica. Cathage had one of the most powerful fleets in the Mediterranean and were expert sailors.
When they lost the three mentioned islands, which were the foundation of their control of the sea, after losing the First Punic War, Carthage expanded westwards, taking control of much of the Algerian coast and southern and eastern Spain. Spain had silver mines.
When they lost the three mentioned islands, which were the foundation of their control of the sea, after losing the First Punic War, Carthage expanded westwards, taking control of much of the Algerian coast and southern and eastern Spain. Spain had silver mines.
