Naval Dominance.After conquering nearly all of the Italian peninsula in the 3rd century BC, the Roman Republic gained control over long stretches of coastline strategically located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. This geopolitically-advantageous position boosted the wealth of Rome, and provided a push to build up a powerful navy, as they frequently came into conflict with the Carthaginians, who dominated the north coasts of Africa along the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.