Hannibal. – Rome and Carthage. – Tyre. – Founding of Carthage. – Its commercial spirit. – Gold and silver mines. – New Carthage. – Ships and army. – Numidia. – Balearic Isles. – The sling. – The government of Carthage. – The aristocracy. – Geographical relations of the Carthaginian empire. – Rome and the Romans. – Their character. – Progress of Carthage and Rome. – Origin of the first Punic war. – Rhegium and Messina. – A perplexing question. – The Romans determine to build a fleet. – Preparations. – Training the oarsmen. – The Roman fleet puts to sea. – Grappling irons. – Courage and resolution of the Romans. – Success of the Romans. – The rostral column. – Government of Rome. – The consuls. – Story of Regulus. – He is made consul. – Regulus marches against Carthage. – His difficulties. – Successes of Regulus. – Arrival of Greeks. – The Romans put to flight