The government of Carthage was an ARISTOCRACY. A council composed of a
few of high birth, and another composed of the very wealthy, managed
the state. Only in times of extraordinary danger were the people
summoned and consulted.

Rome had made two treaties with Carthage; one immediately after the
establishment of the Republic, in 500, the other about 340. By these
treaties commerce was allowed between Rome and its dependencies and
Carthage and her possessions in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica. But the
Romans were not to trade in Spain, or sail beyond the Bay of Carthage.

In leaving Sicily, Pyrrhus had exclaimed, "What a fine battle-field
for Rome and Carthage!" If Carthage were mistress of this island, Rome
would be shut up in her peninsula; if Rome were in possession of it,
"the commerce of Carthage would be intercepted, and a good breeze of
one night would carry the Roman fleets to her walls".

At this time the island was shared by three powers,--HIERO, king of
Syracuse, the CARTHAGINIANS, and the MAMERTINES, a band of brigands
who came from Campania. The latter, making Messána their head-
quarters, had been pillaging all of the island that they could reach.
Being shut up in Messána by Hiero, they asked aid of Rome on the
ground that they were from Campania. Although Rome was in alliance
with Hiero, and had but recently executed 300 mercenaries for doing in
Rhegium what the Mamertines had done in Sicily,--she determined to aid
them, for Sicily was a rich and tempting prey.

Meanwhile, however, through the intervention of the Carthaginians, a
truce had been formed between Hiero and the brigands, and the siege of
Messána was raised. The city itself was occupied by a fleet and