In the case of the first war, It is likely that Rome did not predict that she would be at war with Carthage. The Mamertines, mercenaries, seized the city of Messana (on the strait with the mainland). Syracuse, the largest and most powerful of the Greek cities in eastern and southern Sicily, attacked them. They asked Rome and Carthage (which had four ports in western Sicily) for help. Carthage decided to help, but demanded that a Carthaginian garrison be held in Messana. The Mamertines asked Rome for help again. After the senate could not decide, the Assembly of the Soldiers decided to intervene. It is thought that there were concerns that if Carthage got to war with Syracuse, she might win and take over Syracuse and the east of the island, close to the mainland, which was Roman. After the Romans landed in Messana, they besieged Syracuse and forced her into an alliance. At that point Carthage mobilised for war.
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In the case of the second war, Rome did not decide for war. It was Hannibal who most probably provoked the war. He then invaded Italy.
Rome wanted the third war because she wanted to destroy Carthage.
