... threatened by the other (Asimov, 1966, p. 75). Heichelheim and Yeo(1962, p.115) agree that prior to 264 B.C., relations between Rome and Carthage, if not friendly, had at least been diplomatically correct. In 509 B.C., Carthage had entered into a treaty with Rome aimed at establishing friendship so that commercial contact could continue between itself and the new republic. The treaty, devoid of political alignments, guaranteed the Carthaginians a trade monopoly in the western Mediterranean. In return, the Carthaginians promised not to raid any town in Latium. This treaty was again renewed in 348 B.C. ".... for a very long period of time both cities found it in their mutual self-interest to maintain friendly agreements which would last as long as Carthage was prepared not to promote her commercial interests in certain areas by aggressive force and Rome was primarily concerned with the peoples of Italy (Scullard, 1989 ...

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