The Roman Republic began to expand when Rome fought the Punic Wars and defeated
Carthage.
There were 3 Punic Wars. All wars was between Rome and Carthage. The First Punic war, Rome won. The second Punic war, Carthage won. The third and last Punic war, Rome won and its ultimate victory over Carthage enabled Rome to acquire the North African and Ibirian territories of Carthage.
