Rome’s first conquests were over the various tribes and Greek Colonies of Italy, which led to control over the entire Italian Peninsula and Rome being recognized as a major power in the Mediterranean (see map 2 – 260 BC). Next Rome turned its attention to the other major power in the Western Mediterranean: Carthage. Rome fought 3 bitter wars with Carthage and defeated the Carthaginians in everyone, which led to Rome inheriting the vast ‘Punic’ empire of Carthage.