The island of Sardinia became part of the Roman world following the end of the First Punic War. Although Carthage had lost the struggle for Sicily and had been forced to give up all claims to that island in the peace treaty of 241 BC, Sardinia remained in Carthaginian hands. However, when internal conflicts and widespread mercenary revolts in North Africa and Sardinia had further weakened Carthage, Rome seized the occasion and occupied Sardinia in 238 BC. Later the islands of Corsica and Sardinia were annexed by Rome in 227 BC with the creation of the provincia of Sardinia and Corsica.