What advantage did Carthage have at the beginning of its first war with ancient Rome

Carthage had several advantages at the beginning of its first war with Rome. Very importantly Carthage had a developed navy. This enabled their military to embark to what it deemed strategic places in the Mediterranean Sea. Another advantage Carthage had was control of strategic islands in the Mediterranean, namely Sardinia and Corsica. Carthage had Greek allies in Sicily, the south of the Italian peninsula, and as faraway as Corinth. Carthage had a long standing position in Western Spain as well. For the most part she was in control of shipping and land bases in the western Mediterranean Sea.