"== Punic War == 
 Why is this listed as a Punic war?  While it occured between the first and second it is not actually a Punic War.  The Punic Wars were all between Rome and Carthage.   

 :It isn't exactly part of the Punic wars, but it is related to them. It was triggered as a  result of the after-effects of the First Punic war, and the after-effects of the Mercenary War triggered another conflict between Rome and Carthage (very small and brief), which exaggerated the impact of the post-war indemnity that Rome demanded of Carthage. It can be argued that it was the oppressive conditions of the treaties and the resentment by Carthage/Hannibal Barca that lead to the Second Punic War - so it did involve the Rome-Carthage conflicts indirectly. 

 :It also was the event that elevated the Barcid family in Carthaginian society because of Hamilcar's generalship in the war. It could be argued that without this boost to the ""family fortunes"" that Hannibal Barca would not have been in a position to trigger the Second Punic war. 

 :So, is it part of the Punic wars? Maybe; maybe not. Is it related to the Punic wars? Absolutely - without the Punic wars it wouldn't have occurred, and - arguably - without it the second Punic war might not have occurred, or would at least have been very different. -  "