Final answer:
Rome controlled Italy before the First Punic War and expanded its territory after defeating Carthage, acquiring dominance over the Mediterranean during the Second Punic War.
Explanation:
Rome's Territory Before the First Punic War
Rome controlled Italy before the First Punic War (264-241 BCE). Afterward, with the defeat of Carthage, Rome annexed Sicily and expanded its territory.
During the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE), Rome acquired control over most of the Mediterranean. Hannibal's invasion was eventually defeated, solidifying Roman dominance in the region.
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