The Ptolemies join the First Punic War

This situation is highly possible. The Ptolemaic empire was a maritime superpower during the First Punic War. Its naval might was very very large at the time. In history it was neautral and took neither side. Ptolemaic seapower operated in the Aegean, off Cyprus, Egypt, and Phoenicia, a voyage had actually been made to Spain! So how would the Ptolemaic empires alliance help either side?

Um the time period is the 260's BC. Anyway the Ptolemies can join either side. Joining the Roman side could be just as much blessing as curse to Carthage. Most of Egypt's navy was in fact Phoenecian manned and built. Rome didn't actually win in an outright sense. It was a huge stalemate. Rome forced her citizens to provide private funds to build one more navy which was sucessful. With the navy it was possible to besiege the Punic strongholds. A treaty was then agreed on. Ptolemaic support would've been decisive either way.