The Italian Wars (178-176 BC) were a series of campaigns launched by the Carthaginian General Hamilcar the Young, the eldest son of Hannibal Barca, against various Italian tribes and cities which had divided Italy amongst themselves following Rome's destruction. The Italian Wars were specifically launched in order to prevent all of Italy from falling into Greek hands. The Greeks had established a few settlements in the extreme south of Italy and had begun to expand their sphere of influence by making allies with or conquering towns. The Carthaginians were determined not to let Greece take Italy uncontested. The reasoning behind this was that Italy was located directly between Greece and Carthage, thus making it the perfect place from which to launch an invasion of either side. As relations