# First Punic War Begins (-264)

URL: https://roman-history.com/timeline/-264-first-punic-war-begins
Location: Sicily and western Mediterranean
Categories: battle

Intervention at Messana escalated into Rome's first major overseas war and a prolonged naval contest.

## Why it matters
Victory made Rome a Mediterranean naval power and brought its first overseas province.

Ruler at the time: [Roman Republic](https://roman-history.com/rulers/roman-republic)