Pyrrhic War
The route of Pyrrhus of Epirus during his campaigns in southern Italy and Sicily.
Date 280 BC – 275 BC Location Southern Italy, Sicily Result Roman victory
Combatants
Carthage* Roman Republic*	Epirus Magna Graecia Samnium
Commanders
Publius Valerius Laevinus Publius Decius Mus	Pyrrhus of Epirus
* Note: Carthage and Rome were not strong allies in this conflict. While Carthage did, in fact, pledge aid to Rome in 280 BC, it is unclear what this aid consisted of, or how influential it was in the war. Later in the conflict Carthage was involved in her own war with Pyrrhus in Sicily. There seems to have been no coordinated military efforts between Rome and Carthage.

The Pyrrhic War (280 BC to 275 BC) was a complex series of battles and shifting political alliances among the Greeks (specifically Epirus, Macedonia, and the city states of Magna Graecia), Romans, the Italian peoples (primarily the Samnites and the Etruscans), and the Carthaginians — although most historical treatments of the conflict concentrate on the conflicts between Pyrrhus of Epirus and Rome. Image File history File links Pyrrhus_route. ... Pyrrhus of Epirus Pyrrhus (318-272 BC) (Greek: Πύρρος), king of the Molossians (from ca. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC - 280s BC - 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 285 BC 284 BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC 277... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC Years: 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC 277 BC 276 BC - 275 BC - 274 BC 273 BC... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Ruins of Roman-era Carthage For other uses, see Carthage (disambiguation). ... This article is becoming very long. ... Epirus (Greek Ήπειρος, Ípiros) is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in south-eastern Europe. ... Magna Graecia around 280 b. ... Samnite warriors Samnium (Oscan Safinim) was a region of the southern Apennines in Italy that was home to the Samnites, a group of Sabellic tribes that controlled the area from about 600 BC to about 290 BC. Samnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south... Publius Valerius Laevinus was commander of the Roman forces in Battle of Heraclea, in which he was defeated by Pyrrhus of Epirus. ... Publius Decius Mus is the name of several Ancient Romans of the gens Decia: Publius Decius Mus, son of Quintus, consul in 340 BC, fought the Battle of Vesuvius. ... Pyrrhus of Epirus Pyrrhus (318-272 BC) (Greek: Πύρρος), king of the Molossians (from ca. ... Combatants Roman Republic Epirus Magna Graecia Commanders Valerius Laevinus Pyrrhus of Epirus Strength 39,000 infantry 6,000 cavalry 31,500 infantry 4,000 cavalry 20 war elephants Casualties 7,000 dead 4,000 dead The Battle of Heraclea took place in 280 BC between the Romans under the command... The Battle of Asculum took place in 279 BC between the Romans under the command of consul Publius Decius Mus and the combined Tarantine, Oscan, Samnites, and Epiriotic forces, under the command of king Pyrrhus of Epirus. ... Combatants Roman Republic Epiriots and Italian Greeks Commanders Marcus Curius Dentatus Pyrrhus of Epirus Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties {{{casualties1}}} {{{casualties2}}} {{{notes}}} The Battle of Beneventum (275 BC) was the last battle fought between the forces of Pyrrhus of Epirus (without Samnite allies) and the Romans, led by consul Marcus Curius... This is an overview of the history of Italy during Roman times. ... Combatants Roman Republic Samnium The Samnite Wars were three wars between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium. ... The Latin War (340-338 BC) was a conflict between the Roman Republic and its neighbors the Latin peoples of ancient Italy. ... Template:Campaignbox Social War This article is about the conflict between Rome and her allies between 91 and 88 BC The Social War (also called the Italian War or the Marsic War, Social come from Socii meaning ¨Allies¨) was a war from 91 – 88 BC between the Roman Republic and... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC - 280s BC - 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 285 BC 284 BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC 277... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC Years: 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC 277 BC 276 BC - 275 BC - 274 BC 273 BC... Epirus (Greek Ήπειρος, Ípeiros; see also List of traditional Greek place names), is a province or periphery in northwestern Greece, bounded by West Macedonia and Thessaly to the east, by the province of Sterea Ellada (Central Greece) to the south, the Ionian Sea and the Ionian Islands to the west and... A city-state is a region controlled exclusively by a city, and usually having sovereignty. ... Magna Graecia around 280 b. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Samnite warriors Samnium (Oscan Safinim) was a region of the southern Apennines in Italy that was home to the Samnites, a group of Sabellic tribes that controlled the area from about 600 BC to about 290 BC. Samnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south... The Etruscan civilization existed in Etruria and the Po valley in the northern part of what is now Italy, prior to the formation of the Roman Republic. ... Ruins of Roman-era Carthage For other uses, see Carthage (disambiguation). ... Pyrrhus of Epirus Pyrrhus (318-272 BC) (Greek: Πύρρος), king of the Molossians (from ca. ... This article is becoming very long. ...

The Pyrrhic War initially started as a minor conflict between Rome and the city of Tarentum over a naval treaty violation by one of the Roman consuls. Tarentum had, however, lent aid to the Greek ruler Pyrrhus of Epirus in his conflict with Corcyra, and requested military aid from Epirus. Pyrrhus honored his obligation to Tarentum and joined the complex series of conflicts involving Tarentum, Thurii (as well as other cities of Magna Graecia), the Romans, Samnites, and Etruscans. To further complicate historical analysis of the conflict, Pyrrhus also involved himself in the internal political conflicts of Sicily, as well as the Sicilian struggle against Carthaginian dominance. Nickname: The Eternal City Motto: SPQR: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 8th century BC Mayor Walter Veltroni Area    - City 1,285 km²  (496. ... Map of Italy showing Taranto in the bottom right Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ... Consul (abbrev. ... Pyrrhus of Epirus Pyrrhus (318-272 BC) (Greek: Πύρρος), king of the Molossians (from ca. ... (This article is about the Greek island known in English as Corfu. ... Epirus (Greek Ήπειρος, Ípeiros; see also List of traditional Greek place names), is a province or periphery in northwestern Greece, bounded by West Macedonia and Thessaly to the east, by the province of Sterea Ellada (Central Greece) to the south, the Ionian Sea and the Ionian Islands to the west and... Thurii, or Thueium, was a city of Magna Graecia on the Gulf of Taranto, near the site of the older Sybaris. ... Magna Graecia around 280 b. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Samnite warriors Samnium (Oscan Safinim) was a region of the southern Apennines in Italy that was home to the Samnites, a group of Sabellic tribes that controlled the area from about 600 BC to about 290 BC. Samnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south... The Etruscan civilization existed in Etruria and the Po valley in the northern part of what is now Italy, prior to the formation of the Roman Republic. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Ruins of Roman-era Carthage For other uses, see Carthage (disambiguation). ...

Pyrrhus' involvement in the regional conflicts of Sicily reduced the Carthaginian influence in Sicily drastically. In Italy, his involvement seems to have been mostly ineffectual but had long term implications. The Pyrrhic war proved both that the nations of ancient Greece were incapable of defending the independent colonies of Magna Graecia and that the Roman legions were capable of competing with the armies of the dominant Mediterranean powers of the time — the Greek kingdoms. This opened the way for Roman dominance over the city states of Magna Graecia and advanced the Roman consolidation of power in Italy greatly. Rome's proven record in international military conflicts would also aid its resolve in its rivalry with Carthage, which was eventually to culminate in the Punic Wars. The Ancient Greek world, circa 550 BC Ancient Greece is the period in Greek history which lasted for around one thousand years and ended with the rise of Christianity. ... Magna Graecia around 280 b. ... The Roman legion (from Latin , from lego, legere, legi, lectus — to collect) is a term that can apply both as a transliteration of legio (conscription or army) to the entire Roman army and also, more narrowly (and more commonly), to the heavy infantry that was the basic military unit of... Ruins of Roman-era Carthage For other uses, see Carthage (disambiguation). ... The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between Rome and the Phoenician city of Carthage. ...

Linguistically, the Pyrrhic War is the source of the expression "Pyrrhic victory," a term for a victory won at too high a cost. It is attributed to Pyrrhus himself by Plutarch, who described Pyrrhus' reaction to the report of a victorious battle: A Pyrrhic victory (pronounced pirric) is a victory which comes at heavy cost to the victor. ... Mestrius Plutarchus (c. ...

The two armies separated; and we are told that Pyrrhus said to one who was congratulating him on his victory, "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.". ^[1]

Background

Map showing the location of the Etruscan civilization and the twelve Etruscan League cities, circa 500 BC. Etruscan influence had been reduced a great deal from this representation by the time of the Pyrrhic war.

By the time of the Pyrrhic War, the Italian peninsula had been undergoing a gradual consolidation under Roman hegemony for centuries. The Latin War (340-338 BC) had placed the Latium region under Roman dominance, if not outright control, and the resistance of the Samnites against Roman control was coming to an end with a few minor conflicts being the only remnants of the Samnite Wars (343-290 BC). Image File history File links Download high resolution version (800x971, 405 KB) A map showing the extent of Etruria and the Etruscan civilization. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (800x971, 405 KB) A map showing the extent of Etruria and the Etruscan civilization. ... Hegemony (pronounced or ) (Greek: ) is the dominance of one group over other groups, with or without the threat of force, to the extent that, for instance, the dominant party can dictate the terms of trade to its advantage; more broadly, cultural perspectives become skewed to favor the dominant group. ... The Latin War (340-338 BC) was a conflict between the Roman Republic and its neighbors the Latin peoples of ancient Italy. ... Latium (Lazio in Italian) is a region of central Italy, bordered by Tuscany, Umbria, Abruzzo, Marche, Molise, Campania and the Tyrrhenian Sea. ... Samnite warriors Samnium (Oscan Safinim) was a region of the southern Apennines in Italy that was home to the Samnites, a group of Sabellic tribes that controlled the area from about 600 BC to about 290 BC. Samnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south... Combatants Roman Republic Samnium The Samnite Wars were three wars between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium. ...

To the north of Roman controlled Latium lay the Etruscan cities, and to the south of Roman conmtrolled Samnium lay the Greek city states of Magna Graecia: politically independent cities in southern Italia and Sicily, settled by Greek colonists in the 7th and 8th centuries BC (also the source of the Hellenization of Roman culture). See: Etruscan civilization Etruscan language Etruscan alphabet Etruscan mythology See also: Tyrrhenian, Lemnian, Pelasgian. ... Samnite warriors Samnium (Oscan Safinim) was a region of the southern Apennines in Italy that was home to the Samnites, a group of Sabellic tribes that controlled the area from about 600 BC to about 290 BC. Samnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south... A city-state is a region controlled exclusively by a city, and usually having sovereignty. ... Magna Graecia around 280 b. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Hellenisation (or Hellenization) is a term used to describe a cultural change in which something non-Greek becomes Greek (Hellenic). ...

On the island of Sicily, conflict between the cities of Magna Graecia and the Carthaginian colonies, which had also been settled in the 7th and 8th centuries BC, was an ongoing concern. Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... This article is about the ancient city-state of Carthage in North Africa. ...

The patchwork of Italian and Sicilian cultures and nations had resulted in an onging web of conflicts and territory changes, which many would argue had seen a steady expansion of Roman influence over Italy. Rome was, however, a "local Italian concern", never having tried its hand in the larger international affairs of the Mediterranean, nor pitted its military strength against any of the dominant Greek cultures. The Pyrrhic war would change both of these facts.

Tarentum Asks for Help

In 282 BC, Rome was called by the city of Thurii for military help in a dispute it had with another city. In response, Rome sent out a fleet of ships that entered the Bay of Tarentum. This act violated a longstanding treaty between it and the city of Tarentum, which forbid Rome from entering Tarentine waters. Enraged by what it considered a hostile aggression, the city attacked the fleet, sinking several ships and sending the rest away. Rome was shocked and angered by this incident and sent out diplomats to diffuse the situation. However, negotiations turned sour, leading to a declaration of war against Tarentum. Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC - 280s BC - 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 287 BC 286 BC 285 BC 284 BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279... Thurii, or Thueium, was a city of Magna Graecia on the Gulf of Taranto, near the site of the older Sybaris. ... Map of Italy showing Taranto in the bottom right Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ...

Seeking reinforcements, Tarentum then turned to mainland Greece for military aid and called on the King of Epirus to help it defeat the Romans. Pyrrhus, who fancied himself the next Alexander the Great and was hoping to build a vast empire, saw this opportunity as a good starting point and accepted. Alexander the Great (Greek: ,[1] Megas Alexandros; July 356 BC–June 11, 323 BC), also known as Alexander III, king of Macedon (336–323 BC), was one of the most successful military commanders in history. ...

The War Begins

Further information: Battle of Heraclea

In 280 B.C. Pyrrhus landed with 25,000 troops, including a score of war elephants, in Italy. A Roman army of 50,000 led by Publius Laevinius was sent into the Lucanian territory, where the first battle took place near the city of Heraclea. During this battle, a wounded elephant made the other beasts panic, thereby ruining what would otherwise have been a complete victory. Casualty lists differ, ranging from 7000 to 15000 for the Romans and 4000 to 13000 for the Greeks. Combatants Roman Republic Epirus Magna Graecia Commanders Valerius Laevinus Pyrrhus of Epirus Strength 39,000 infantry 6,000 cavalry 31,500 infantry 4,000 cavalry 20 war elephants Casualties 7,000 dead 4,000 dead The Battle of Heraclea took place in 280 BC between the Romans under the command... Publius Valerius Laevinus was commander of the Roman forces in Battle of Heraclea, in which he was defeated by Pyrrhus of Epirus. ... For the mountain in Canada named after Lucania, see Mount Lucania. ... Heraclea was the name of a large number of ancient cities founded by the Greeks. ...

This battle proved to be crucial in showing the stability of the Roman republic. Pyrrhus had expected the Italic tribes to rebel against the Romans and join him. However, by now the Romans had stabilized the area, and only a few Italics actually joined the Greeks.

Battle of Asculum

Further information: Battle of Asculum

In 279 B.C. Pyrrhus fought the second major battle of the war at Asculum. This one was of a much greater scale, taking two days in the hills of Apulia. The Roman general Publius Mus managed to use the terrain to reduce the effectiveness of the Greek cavalry and elephants. Thus the first day ended with a stalemate. The second day Pyrrhus made another attack with war elephants supported by infantry, which finally overwhelmed the Mus's position. The Romans lost about 6000 men while Pyrrhus' army suffered 3500 casualties. The Battle of Asculum took place in 279 BC between the Romans under the command of consul Publius Decius Mus and the combined Tarantine, Oscan, Samnites, and Epiriotic forces, under the command of king Pyrrhus of Epirus. ... The Battle of Asculum took place in 279 BC between the Romans under the command of consul Publius Decius P.f. ... This article is about the Italian region. ... Publius Decius Mus is the name of several Ancient Romans of the gens Decia: Publius Decius Mus, son of Quintus, consul in 340 BC, fought the Battle of Vesuvius. ...

The battle still was not quite as glorious, and according to the Roman historian Plutarch, Pyrrhus said that "that one other such (victory) would utterly undo him." Thus, the phrase "Pyrrhic victory" entered the language. Mestrius Plutarchus (c. ...

Alliance with Carthage

Pyrrhus next offered to negotiate a truce with Rome, but Rome refused to talk as long as Pyrrhus remained on Italian soil. Appius Claudius, who built the Appian Way, now an old man and blind, exhorted the Romans to refuse negotiations with Pyrrhus, who was really only asking at this point for freedom for Tarentum and her allies. Appius Claudius Caecus (Appius Claudius the Blind, c. ... Remains of the Appian Way in Rome, Italy More Remains of the Appian Way in Rome, Italy The Appian Way (Latin: Via Appia) was the most important ancient Roman road. ...

Rome formed an alliance with Carthage against Pyrrhus. (A dozen years later, Rome’s interests in the Mediterranean would come into conflict with those of Carthage, and they would be at war.) The terms of the third treaty with Carthage now concluded an effectual alliance between Rome and Carthage against Pyrrhus. The effect was to limit Pyrrhus' career in the west to aggression against the Greek states which he had nominally come to protect, for it destroyed his hopes of allying with either Rome or Carthage against the other. Carthage naturally thought otherwise and sent a squadron up to the Tiber mouth to offer help against Pyrrhus. The Italian dominion was not for him; he had come too late. If Carthage were the real enemy, as he learned from Agathocles of Syracuse, there was nothing to be gained by quarreling with Rome, too. Ruins of Roman-era Carthage For other uses, see Carthage (disambiguation). ... Tiber River in Rome The Tiber (Italian Tevere, Latin Tiberis), the third-longest river in Italy at 406 km (252 miles) after the Po and the Adige, flows through Rome in its course from Mount Fumaiolo to the Tyrrhenian Sea, which it reaches in two branches that cross the suburbs... For the grindcore band, see Agathocles (band) Agathocles (361 BC - 289 BC), tyrant of Syracuse (317 BC - 289 BC) and king of Sicily (304 BC - 289 BC). ...

Sicilian campaign

Veterans of Agathocles, settled now at Messana, offered their help, but Campania and most of the south gave Pyrrhus no encouragement. Only Etruria thought the tide had turned against Rome, quickly to discover its mistake. For the grindcore band, see Agathocles (band) Agathocles (361 BC - 289 BC), tyrant of Syracuse (317 BC - 289 BC) and king of Sicily (304 BC - 289 BC). ... Map of Italy showing Messina in the northeast point of Sicily Messina is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, Italy and the capital of the province of Messina. ...

After two campaigns in which, though he always won battles, Pyrrhus was losing more men than he could afford, he moved on to Sicily (278 BC) to aid the Greeks there, who were being hard pressed by the Carthaginians. The Romans had little difficulty in dealing with his friends and rear guards on the Italian mainland. Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC - 270s BC - 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279 BC - 278 BC - 277 BC 276 BC 275...

The Carthaginians had not waited to be attacked. When Pyrrhus sailed for Sicily, they were besieging Syracuse, his necessary base, and looking for him with their fleet. He evaded their ships, however, and drove off their field army, captured the cities of Panormus and Eryx and refused their offer to surrender everything in Sicily except for Lilybaeum, which they direly needed if they sought to keep their hold on Sardinia. Syracuse (Italian, Siracusa, ancient Syracusa - see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a city on the eastern coast of Sicily and the capital of the province of Syracuse, Italy. ... (This article is about Palermo in Sicily. ... ERYX Type anti-tank Nationality France Era Cold War, modern Launch platform Individual, Vehicle Target Vehicle, Fortification History Builder MBDA Date of design Production period 1989 Service duration 1994 Operators Canadian, French, Norwegian armies Variants Number built Specifications Type Diameter 0. ... Marsala is a seaport city located in the province of Trapani on the island of Sicily in Italy, of 77,784 inhabitants (2001). ... Sardinia (Sardegna in Italian, Sardigna or Sardinna in the Sardinian language), is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (Sicily is the largest), between Italy, Spain and Tunisia, south of Corsica. ...

All the while, his losses had been heavy and his reinforcements few. Tarentum was hard pressed by the Romans, and between them and the Carthaginian fleet he might have been trapped in Sicily. So in a desperate attempt he returned once more to Italy, to fight one more campaign.

Battle of Beneventum

Further information: Battle of Beneventum

In 275 BC, Pyrrhus was back in Italy. He faced the Romans at the town of Malventum in southern Italy and was defeated. After the battle, the Romans renamed the town to Beneventum in recognition of their victory over Pyrrhus. He then retreated into Tarentum for the duration of the war. Pyrrhus soon left Italy forever and returned to the Greek mainland. He had lost two thirds of his army during the fighting and had little to show for his efforts. He was severely defeated, as the Romans had meanwhile learned how to deal with his spearmen and elephants. The Romans had learned that they could wound the elephants in the side using their pila, the short throwing spears that had come into use during the Samnite Wars. This would in turn panic the elephants, which became out of control and trampled their own troops. (This was more than sixty years before the famous campaign of Hannibal of Carthage in which he crossed the Alps with an army employing elephants.) Combatants Roman Republic Epiriots and Italian Greeks Commanders Marcus Curius Dentatus Pyrrhus of Epirus Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties {{{casualties1}}} {{{casualties2}}} {{{notes}}} The Battle of Beneventum (275 BC) was the last battle fought between the forces of Pyrrhus of Epirus (without Samnite allies) and the Romans, led by consul Marcus Curius... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC Years: 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC 277 BC 276 BC - 275 BC - 274 BC 273 BC... Benevento is a town and archiepiscopal see of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 32 miles northeast of Naples. ... Benevento is a town and archiepiscopal see of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 32 miles northeast of Naples. ... A Roman coin showing Antoninianus of Carinus holding pilum and globe. ... Combatants Roman Republic Samnium The Samnite Wars were three wars between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium. ... Hannibal is one of the most common prenames in Punic and we know several military commanders (strategos) with this prename during the Punic Wars, while their family names or nicknames are often not recorded. ... The West face of the Petit Dru above the Chamonix valley near the Mer de Glace. ...

The tide having turned against him, Pyrrhus returned home. His parting words were memorable, What a battlefield I am leaving for Carthage and Rome! Leaving a sufficient force to garrison Tarentum, Pyrrhus now set sail for Epirus. He had scarcely embarked before Tarentum surrendered to the Romans (272 BC). Rome treated the defeated Tarentum leniently, allowing Tarentum the same local self-rule it allowed other cities. Tarentum in turn recognized Rome's hegemony in Italy and became another of Rome's allies, while a Roman garrison remained in Tarentum to ensure its loyalty. Other Greek cities and the Bruttian tribes with their valuable forest-country surrendered likewise, undertaking to supply Rome with ships and crews in future. Some Greek cities may still have seen themselves as mere allies of Rome. Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC Years: 277 BC 276 BC 275 BC 274 BC 273 BC 272 BC 271 BC 270 BC... The Brutti were an ancient people of southern Italy, occupying the interior of Bruttium (The Southern part of Italy, close to Sicilia). ...

Aftermath

The victory over Pyrrhus was a significant one as it was the defeat of a Greek army which fought in the tradition of Alexander the Great and was commanded by the most able commander of the time. In 272 BC Pyrrhus' life came to an end - one version is that, during a street battle in Argos, a woman threw a roof tile down upon his head. Stunned, he fell off of his horse and an Argosian soldier cut his head off. Alexander the Great (Greek: ,[1] Megas Alexandros; July 356 BC–June 11, 323 BC), also known as Alexander III, king of Macedon (336–323 BC), was one of the most successful military commanders in history. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC Years: 277 BC 276 BC 275 BC 274 BC 273 BC 272 BC 271 BC 270 BC... Argos (Greek: Άργος, Árgos, IPA argos) is a city in Greece in the Peloponnese near Nafplio, which was its historic harbor, named for Nauplius. ...

After her defeat of Pyrrhus, Rome was recognized as a major power in the Mediterranean, as evidenced by the opening of a permanent embassy of amity by the Macedonian king of Egypt in Rome in 273 BC. A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one nation state present in another nation state to represent the sending state in the receiving State. ... Head of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (309-246 BC), with Arsinoë II. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (309-246 BC), was the ruler of Egypt (he was not technically the pharaoh because he was not ethnically Egyptian) from 281 BC to 246 BC. He was of a delicate constitution, no Macedonian warrior-chief... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC - 270s BC - 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 278 BC 277 BC 276 BC 275 BC 274 BC - 273 BC - 272 BC 271 BC 270...

New Roman colonies were founded in the south to further secure the territory to Roman domination. In the north the last free Etruscan city, Volsinii, revolted and was destroyed in 264 BC. There, too, new colonies were founded to cement Roman rule. Rome was now mistress of all the peninsula from the Straits of Messina to the Apennine frontier with the Gauls along the Arnus and the Rubicon rivers. Velzna was an Etruscan city in central Italy, the last Etruscan city to be taken by the Romans. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC - 260s BC - 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC Years: 269 BC 268 BC 267 BC 266 BC 265 BC - 264 BC - 263 BC 262 BC... Satellite photo of the Strait of Messina, taken June 2002. ... This is about the terrestrial mountain range. ... Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Latin name for the region of western Europe occupied by present-day France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... This article is about the Arno river. ... Presumed course of the Rubicon The Rubicon (Rubico, in Italian Rubicone) is an ancient Latin name for a small river in northern Italy. ...

Conflict Chronology

281 BC Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC - 280s BC - 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 286 BC 285 BC 284 BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279 BC 278...

• The city of Tarentum helps Pyrrhus of Epirus regain control of Corcyra.
• Roman consul Publius Cornelius Dolabella mounts a 10-ship exploratory expedition along the southern coast of Italia.
• Philocharis of Tarentum views Cornelius' expedition as a violation of an ancient naval treaty, attacks the expedition, sinking 4 ships and capturing 1.
• Tarentum attacks the Roman garrison at Thurii, and defeats it, sacking the city.
• Rome dispatches an embassy to Tarentum, which is rejected and insulted by the The Tarentines.
• The Roman senate declares war on Tarentum.
• Consul Lucius Aemilius Barbula ceases hostilities with the Samnites, and moves against Tarentum.
• The Tarentines call on Pyrrhus to protect them against the Romans; Pyrrhus is encouraged to go by an oracle from Delphi.
• Pyrrhus makes an alliance with Ptolemy Keraunos and gets help from Macedonia for his expedition to Italy.

280 BC Map of Italy showing Taranto in the bottom right Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ... Pyrrhus of Epirus Pyrrhus (318-272 BC) (Greek: Πύρρος), king of the Molossians (from ca. ... (This article is about the Greek island known in English as Corfu. ... Consul (abbrev. ... Publius Cornelius Dolabella was a Consul in 283 BC. He is best noted for having defeated the Boii tribe at the [of Lake Vadimo]. According to Appian, he is also credited with defeating the Senones under Britomaris in the same year, presumably before Vadimo. ... Thurii, or Thueium, was a city of Magna Graecia on the Gulf of Taranto, near the site of the older Sybaris. ... Consul (abbrev. ... L. Aemilius Q.f. ... Samnite warriors Samnium (Oscan Safinim) was a region of the southern Apennines in Italy that was home to the Samnites, a group of Sabellic tribes that controlled the area from about 600 BC to about 290 BC. Samnium was delimited by Latium in the north, by Lucania in the south... Ptolemy Keraunos (Ceraunus) (? - 279 BC), King of Macedon from 281 BC to 279 BC. He was the eldest son of Ptolemy I Soter (ruler of Egypt) and his third wife Eurydice (daughter of Antipater). ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC - 280s BC - 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 285 BC 284 BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC 277...

• Pyrrhus sends Cineas ahead to Tarentum.
• Pyrrhus sets sail for Italy.
• Pyrrhus arrives in Italy, bringing war elephants to back up his army.
• The Samnites join Pyrrhus.
• Pyrrhus offers to negotiate with the Romans.
• A Roman garrison is sent to Rhegium.
• Pyrrhus defeats the Romans at the Battle of Heraclea.
• Locri and other places desert from the Romans.
• Two new legions levied for consul Publius Valerius Laevinus are deployed against Pyrrhus, reinforced by the existing legions of consul Tiberius Coruncanius from Etruria.
• Pyrrhus advances on Rome, as far as Anagnia in Latium.
• Pyrrhus retires to Campania.
• Cineas arrives at Rome as the ambassador of Pyrrhus, and unsuccessfully attempts to win support with bribes.
• The senate rejects Pyrrhus' peace terms, after a speech by Ap. Claudius Caecus.
• Cineas returns to Pyrrhus, and calls the Roman senate "a parliament of kings".
• Gaius Fabricius Luscinus is sent on a mission to Pyrrhus to negotiate the release of Roman prisoners of war. Pyrrhus attempts to bribe Fabricius, and when he cannot, releases the prisoners without ransom.
• Pyrrhus invades Apulia, and is confronted by the Roman army.
• Pyrrhus defeats the Romans at the Battle of Asculum, but suffers heavy losses.
• Mago the Carthaginian admiral offers support to the Romans, and a further treaty is signed between Rome and Carthage.
• Mago visits the camp of Pyrrhus on his way back from Rome.

279 BC In Roman history, Cineas was a minister of Thessaly and friend of King Pyrrhus of Epirus. ... Indian war elephant, relief at Mathura, 2nd century BC War elephants were important, although not widespread, weapons in ancient military history. ... Categories: Italy-related stubs | Coastal cities | Towns in Calabria ... Combatants Roman Republic Epirus Magna Graecia Commanders Valerius Laevinus Pyrrhus of Epirus Strength 39,000 infantry 6,000 cavalry 31,500 infantry 4,000 cavalry 20 war elephants Casualties 7,000 dead 4,000 dead The Battle of Heraclea took place in 280 BC between the Romans under the command... Locri Epizephyri (epi-Zephyros, under the West wind; see also List of traditional Greek place names) was founded about 680 BC on the Italian shores of the Ionian Sea, near modern Capo Zefirio, by the Locrians, apparently by Opuntii (East Locrians) from the city of Opus, but including Ozolae (West... The Roman legion (from Latin , from lego, legere, legi, lectus — to collect) is a term that can apply both as a transliteration of legio (conscription or army) to the entire Roman army and also, more narrowly (and more commonly), to the heavy infantry that was the basic military unit of... Publius Valerius Laevinus was commander of the Roman forces in Battle of Heraclea, in which he was defeated by Pyrrhus of Epirus. ... Tiberius Coruncanius was Roman consul with Publius Valerius Laevinus, and military commander in 280 BC. He lead an expedition into Etruria against the Etruscan cities. ... The area covered by the Etruscan civilzation. ... Gaius Fabricius Luscinus (the one-eyed), Gaius fils, was said to have been the first of the Fabricii to move to ancient Rome, his family originating from Aletrium (Livy ix. ... The Battle of Asculum took place in 279 BC between the Romans under the command of consul Publius Decius Mus and the combined Tarantine, Oscan, Samnites, and Epiriotic forces, under the command of king Pyrrhus of Epirus. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC - 270s BC - 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 284 BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC - 279 BC - 278 BC 277 BC 276...

• When Fabricius discovers a plot by Pyrrhus' doctor Nicias to poison him, he sends warning to Pyrrhus.
• The Roman garrison at Rhegium mutinies and seizes the town.
• The Sicilians send an embassy to Pyrrhus, asking him to help them against the Carthaginians. Phrrhus agrees.
• The Mamertines make an alliance with the Carthaginians and try to stop Pyrrhus crossing to Sicily.
• Cineas goes to Rome again, but he is unable to negotiate peace terms.
• Pyrrhus leaves Italy and crosses over to Sicily.
• Pyrrhus arranges peace between Thoenon and his opponents at Syracuse.
• Embassies from many Sicilian cities come to Pyrrhus offering their support.
• Pyrrhus is proclaimed king of Sicily.
• Pyrrhus takes control of Acragas and thirty other cities which previously belonged to Sosistratus.
• Pyrrhus attacks the territory of the Carthaginians in Sicily.
• Pyrrhus captures Eryx
• The rest of the Carthaginian possessions in Sicily go over to Pyrrhus.
• Pyrrhus defeats the Mamertines.

278 BC The Mamertines (Mamertini sons of Mars) were mercenaries of Italian origin who had been hired from their home in Campania by Agathocles, the king of Syracuse. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC - 270s BC - 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 283 BC 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279 BC - 278 BC - 277 BC 276 BC 275...

• Negotiations begin between Pyrrhus and the Carthaginians.
• Pyrrhus prepares to attack Lilybaeum.
• Pyrrhus has Thoenon of Syracuse killed on suspicion of treason, and his despotic behaviour makes him unpopular with the Sicilians.
• Pyrrhus abandons the siege of Lilybaeum.
• The Italians appeal to Pyrrhus to return to help them.
• Pyrrhus defeats the Carthaginians in a final battle.
• Pyrrhus leaves Sicily and returns to Italy; he is attacked and defeated by the Carthaginian fleet en route.
• Manius Curius Dentatus enlists an army to fight against Pyrrhus.
• Pyrrhus sacks the town of Locri, together with the temple of Persephone.
• Pyrrhus' fleet is caught in a storm after leaving Locri.
• Pyrrhus asks Antigonus of Macedon for aid to continue the war in Italy.
• Hiero, general of Syracuse, makes an alliance with Pyrrhus.
• Pyrrhus attempts to raise recruits in Samnium.
• The Romans defeat Pyrrhus at the Battle of Beneventum.
• Pyrrhus punishes some of the Tarentines for treachery.
• Pyrrhus leaves Italy; the end of the war between Rome and Pyrrhus.

Manius Curius Dentatus, Manius fils (d. ... Locri Epizephyri (epi-Zephyros, under the West wind; see also List of traditional Greek place names) was founded about 680 BC on the Italian shores of the Ionian Sea, near modern Capo Zefirio, by the Locrians, apparently by Opuntii (East Locrians) from the city of Opus, but including Ozolae (West... Persephone and Hades In Greek mythology, Persephone (Greek Περσεφόνη, Persephónē) was the queen of the Underworld, the Kore or young maiden, and the daughter of Demeter— and Zeus, in the Olympian version. ... Coin of Antigonus II Gonatas Antigonus II Gonatas (c. ... Grave monument of Hiëro II in Syracuse Hiero II, tyrant of Syracuse from 270 to 215 BC, was the illegitimate son of a Syracusan noble, Hierocles, who claimed descent from Gelo. ... Syracuse (Italian, Siracusa, ancient Syracusa - see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a city on the eastern coast of Sicily and the capital of the province of Syracuse, Italy. ... Combatants Roman Republic Epiriots and Italian Greeks Commanders Marcus Curius Dentatus Pyrrhus of Epirus Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties {{{casualties1}}} {{{casualties2}}} {{{notes}}} The Battle of Beneventum (275 BC) was the last battle fought between the forces of Pyrrhus of Epirus (without Samnite allies) and the Romans, led by consul Marcus Curius...

See also

• History of Taranto

The history of Taranto dates back to the 8th century BC when it was founded as a Greek colony. ...

References

• Livy (Roman, 59 BC-17 AD): History of Rome from its Foundation, books 21-39
• Life of Hannibal Barca and the Punic Wars Between Rome and Carthage (public domain)
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