Answer: Defeating the Carthaginians, the Romans established their control over the Mediterranean Sea.
Explanation:
Carthage, through its commercial ties, threatened control over the mediation sea and the interests of the Roman. The defeat of the Carthage in the Punic wars gave the Romans a monopoly on trade.
The Carthaginian war, or the last (third) Carthage, was wholly destroyed, and the Romans formed their province of Africa.
