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After the FIRST Punic War, which Rome won by building its first Navy from scratch, and then defeating the premiere naval power in the Med., Carthage faced a rebellion by its hired troops {Most Carthaginians, except officers, didn't wage their own wars] because Carthage refused to pay them. the revolt was so serious, Rome offered aid.

In the second Punic War, Hannibal Barca provoked Rome into war in Spain, which was what he wanted. Almost the entire war was fought in Italy - for eighteen years.Needless to say, the Romans were never going to leave Carthage to become a threat again.

And bear in mind, there were crucial cultural differences that impacted the views Carthage and Rome had of each other. Say what you will about Rome, but the Romans didn't offer child sacrifices to their Gods.And the Romans incorporated conquered peoples in their Empire, offering citizenship down the road. Carthage either enslaved people, or allied/and /or hired them. In the long run, they never had a chance.And as a result, you have a legal system, a language, and a culture derived, in significant part, from Rome.

Carthage didn't pay it mercenaries because it coudn't. It was momentarily poor. The Romans broke the treaty first by allying with Sarguntum. Also he couldn't stand by and watch Sarguntum kill his allies.

Yeah. They did had the problem of religion which is the only problem I have with it. Sad that perfect CArthage has that big flaw. But the Romans had the Collosium. In which many many thousands died for entertainment and execution. It was a different time. But also the Carthaginians were not so arrogant and were easily allyable with barbarians. The Romans were the mortal enemies of them which caused (eventually) their downfall.

And, in case you need to know, I am biased towards Carthage big time. But of course the majority of people are biased towards Rome.

The Romans were well organized and inventive. They weren't good sea men like Carthage so they board them and turn a naval battle into a land battle. Scipio Africanus was a great General. The only of Romans of his time who was competent. Without him the war likely would have taken a different turn.