Pyrrhus of Epirus

Pyrrhus (318-272 BC) (Greek: Πύρρος) was one of the most successful ancient Greek generals of the Hellenistic era. He was King of the Greek tribe of the Molossians (from ca. 297 BC),Epirus (306-301, 297-272 BC) and Macedon (288-284, 273-272 BC), and one of the strongest opponents of early Rome. Some of his battles, though successful, cost him staggering losses, from which coined the term Pyrrhic victory. Image File history File links From Livius. ... Image File history File links From Livius. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 360s BC 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 323 BC 322 BC 321 BC 320 BC 319 BC 318 BC 317 BC 316 BC 315... Pyrrhus of Epirus is killed in a street fight in Argos. ... The term Hellenistic (derived from HéllÄ“n, the Greeks traditional self-described ethnic name) was established by the German historian Johann Gustav Droysen to refer to the spreading of Greek culture over the non-Greek people that were conquered by Alexander the Great. ... For the micronation of Molossia, see Republic of Molossia Map of Chaonia, Molossis & Thesprotia The Molossians (Molossoi) were an ancient Greek[1] tribe that settled Epirus during Mycenaean times. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 302 BC 301 BC 300 BC 299 BC 298 BC 297 BC 296 BC 295 BC 294... Epirus, spanning Greece and Albania. ... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - 3rd century BC Decades: 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 320s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 311 BC 310 BC 309 BC 308 BC 307 BC 306 BC 305 BC 304 BC 303... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - Decades: 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 306 BC 305 BC 304 BC 303 BC 302 BC 301 BC 300 BC 299 BC 298 BC 297 BC Battle of Ipsus: King... Pyrrhus of Epirus is killed in a street fight in Argos. ... Ancient Macedons regions and towns Macedon or Macedonia (Greek ) was the name of an ancient kingdom in the northern-most part of ancient Greece, bordered by the kingdom of Epirus to the west and the region of Thrace to the east. ... 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 293 BC 292 BC 291 BC 290 BC 289 BC 288 BC 287 BC 286 BC 285... The Gallic Senones renew their incursions into Roman territory and lay siege to the city of Arretium, defeating the army of the consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus Denter, who was killed during the fighting. ... 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... Motto Senatus Populusque Romanus Roman provinces on the eve of the assassination of Julius Caesar, c. ... A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor. ...

Early life

Pyrrhus was the son of Aeacides of Epirus and Phthia, and a second cousin of Alexander the Great. Prince of one of the Alexandrian successor states, Pyrrhus' childhood and youth went by in unquiet conditions. He was only two years old when his father was dethroned and the family took refuge with Glaukias, king of the Taulanti, one of the largest Illyrian tribes (in what is now Albania). Aeacides (in Greek Aιακιδης; died 313 BC), the son of Arybbas, king of Epirus, succeeded to the throne on the death of his cousin Alexander, who was slain in Italy. ... Phthia (in Greek Φθια; lived 4th century BC) was a daughter of Menon of Pharsalus, the Thessalian hipparch, and wife of Aeacides, king of Epirus, by whom she became the mother of the celebrated Pyrrhus, as well as of two daughters: Deidamia, the wife of Demetrius Poliorcetes, and Troias, of whom... For the film of the same name, see Alexander the Great (1956 film). ... King Glaukias, an Illyrian of the Taulanti tribe, reigned over Illyria from 317 BC to 303 BC. In 314 BC, Glaukias was defeated by Cassander, successor of Alexander the Great. ... The Taulanti were an Illyrian tribe. ... Illyria (disambiguation) Illyrians has come to refer to a broad, ill-defined Indo-European[1] group of peoples who inhabited the western Balkans (Illyria, roughly from northern Epirus to southern Pannonia) and even perhaps parts of Southern Italy in classical times into the Common era, and spoke Illyrian languages. ...

Later the Epirotes called him back, but he was dethroned again at the age of 17 when he left his kingdom to attend the wedding of Glaukias' son in Illyria. In the wars of the diadochi Pyrrhus fought beside his brother-in-law Demetrius I of Macedon on the losing side in the pivotal Battle of Ipsus (301 BC). Later, he was made a hostage of Ptolemy I Soter by a treaty between Ptolemy I and Demetrius. Pyrrhus married Ptolemy I's stepdaughter Antigone and in 297 BC, with Ptolemy I's aid, restored his kingdom of Epirus. Next he went to war against his former ally Demetrius. By 286 BC he had deposed his former brother-in-law and taken control over the kingdom of Macedon. Pyrrhus was driven out of Macedon by Lysimachus, his former ally, in 284 BC. Location of Illyria Illyria (Albanian Iliria Land of the Free; Ancient Greek ; Latin Illyria [1] (see also Illyricum) was in Classical antiquity a region in the western part of todays Balkan Peninsula, founded by the tribes and clans of Illyrians, an ancient people who spoke the Illyrian languages. ... In general Diadochi (in Greek Διάδοχοι, transcripted Diadochoi) means successors, such that the neoplatonic refounders of Platos Academy in Late Antiquity referred to themselves as diadochi (of Plato). ... Demetrius I (337-283 BC, Greek: Δημήτριος), surnamed Poliorcetes (The Besieger), son of Antigonus I Monophthalmus and Stratonice, was a king of Macedon (294 - 288 BC). ... Combatants Antigonids Macedonians Seleucids Commanders Antigonus I†, Demetrius I of Macedon Prepelaus, Lysimachus, Seleucus I Nicator, Pleistarchus Strength 45,000 heavy infantry, 25,000 light infantry, 10,000 cavalry, 75 elephants 40,000 heavy infantry, 20,000 light infantry, 12,000 Persian cavalry, 3,000 heavy cavalry, 400 elephants, 100... Centuries: 5th century BC - 4th century BC - Decades: 350s BC 340s BC 330s BC 310s BC 300s BC 290s BC 280s BC 270s BC 260s BC 306 BC 305 BC 304 BC 303 BC 302 BC 301 BC 300 BC 299 BC 298 BC 297 BC Battle of Ipsus: King... Ptolemy I Soter (Greek: , Ptolemaios Soter, i. ... 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 291 BC 290 BC 289 BC 288 BC 287 BC 286 BC 285 BC 284 BC 283... Lysimachus (c. ... The Gallic Senones renew their incursions into Roman territory and lay siege to the city of Arretium, defeating the army of the consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus Denter, who was killed during the fighting. ...

Struggle with Rome

Most important places in the Pyrrhic War (280-275 BC)

In 281 the Greek city of Tarentum, in southern Italy, fell out with Rome and was faced with a Roman attack and certain defeat. Rome had already made itself into a major power, and was poised to subdue all the Greek cities in Magna Graecia. The Tarentines asked Pyrrhus to lead their war against the Romans. Wars between Rome and Taranto Roma Beneventum (mod. ... Wars between Rome and Taranto Roma Beneventum (mod. ... 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. ... 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... 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... Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Magna Graecia around 280 b. ...

Pyrrhus was encouraged to aid the Tarentines by the oracle of Delphi. His goals were not, however, selfless. He recognized the possibility of carving out an empire for himself in Italy. He made an alliance with Ptolemy Ceraunus, King of Macedon and his most powerful neighbor, and arrived in Italy in 280 BC. Delphi (Greek , [ðe̞lˈfi]) is an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in a valley of Phocis. ... 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). ...

He entered Italy with an army consisting of 3,000 cavalry, 2,000 archers, 500 slingers, 20,000 infantry and 19 war elephants in a bid to subdue the Romans. Not to be confused with Golgotha, which was called Calvary. ... Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. ... Home-made sling. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, bicycles, or other means. ... The elephants thick hide protects it from injury. ...

Pyrrhus arrives in Italy with his Troup.

Due to his superior cavalry and his elephants he defeated the Romans, led by consul Publius Valerius Laevinus, in the Battle of Heraclea in 280 BC. There are conflicting sources about casualties. Hieronymus of Cardia reports the Romans lost about 7,000 while Pyrrhus lost 3,000 soldiers, including many of his best. Dionysius gives a bloodier view of 15,000 Roman dead and 13,000 Greek. Several tribes including the Lucani, Bruttii, Messapians, and the Greek cities of Croton and Locri joined Pyrrhus. He then offered the Romans a peace treaty which was eventually rejected. Pyrrhus spent winter in Campania. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 525 pixelsFull resolution (2739 × 1797 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 525 pixelsFull resolution (2739 × 1797 pixel, file size: 1. ... Consul (abbrev. ... Publius Valerius Laevinus was commander of the Roman forces in Battle of Heraclea, in which he was defeated by Pyrrhus of Epirus. ... Combatants Roman Republic Epirus, Magna Graecia Commanders Publius Valerius Laevinus Pyrrhus of Epirus Strength 29,000 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... 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... Hieronymus of Cardia, Greek general and historian, contemporary of Alexander the Great. ... The Lucani (Lucanians) were an ancient people of Italy who spoke an Oscan language, a member of the Italic languages. ... Wikisource has an original article from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica about: Bruttii The Bruttii were an ancient people of southern Italy, occupying the interior of Bruttium (modern Calabria). ... Messapii, an ancient tribe which inhabited, in historical times, the south-eastern peninsula or heel of Italy, known variously in ancient times as Calabria, Messapia and Iapygia. ... Crotone is a city in Calabria, southern Italy, on the Gulf of Taranto. ... 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... For other uses, see Campania (disambiguation). ...

When Pyrrhus invaded Apulia (279 BC), the two armies met in the Battle of Asculum where Pyrrhus won a very costly victory. The consul Publius Decius Mus was the Roman commander, and his able force, though defeated, broke the back of Pyrrhus' Hellenistic army, and guaranteed the security of the city itself. The battle foreshadowed later Roman victories over more numerous and well armed successor state military forces and inspired the term "Pyrrhic victory", meaning a victory which comes at a crippling cost. At the end, the Romans had lost 6,000 men and Pyrrhus 3,500 but, while battered, his army was still a force to be reckoned with. This article is about the Italian region. ... 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... 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. ... P. Decius Mus was a Roman politician and general. ... A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor. ...

Ruler of Sicily

Pyrrhus.

In 278 Pyrrhus received two offers simultaneously. The Greek cities in Sicily asked him to come and drive out Carthage, which was one of the two greater powers in the Western Mediterranean. At the same time, the Macedonians, whose King Ceraunus had been killed by invading Gauls, asked Pyrrhus to ascend the throne of Macedon. Pyrrhus decided that Sicily offered him a greater opportunity, and transferred his army there. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... 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... Sicily ( in Italian and Sicilian) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,708 km² (9,926 sq. ... Roman Carthage with former military harbor Carthage (Greek: , Latin: , from the Phoenician meaning new town; Arabic: ) refers both to an ancient city in Tunisia and to the civilization that developed within the citys sphere of influence. ... Composite satellite image of the Mediterranean Sea. ... 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. ...

Pyrrhus was proclaimed king of Sicily. He was already making plans for his son Helenus to inherit the kingdom of Sicily and his other son Alexander to be given Italy. In 277 Pyrrhus captured Eryx, the strongest Carthaginian fortress in Sicily. This prompted the rest of the Carthaginian-controlled cities to defect to Pyrrhus. 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 282 BC 281 BC 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC - 277 BC - 276 BC 275 BC 274... Eryx (Greek: ), was an ancient city and a mountain in the west of Sicily, about 10 km from Drepana (modern Trapani), and 3 km from the sea-coast. ...

In 276 Pyrrhus negotiated with the Carthaginians. Although they were inclined to come to terms with Pyrrhus, supply him money and send him ships once friendly relations were established, he demanded that Carthage abandon all of Sicily and make the Libyan Sea a boundary between themselves and the Greeks. Meanwhile he had begun to display despotic behavior towards the Sicilian Greeks and soon Sicilian opinion became inflamed against him. Though he defeated the Carthaginians in another battle, he was forced to abandon Sicily and return to Italy. 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: 281 BC 280 BC 279 BC 278 BC 277 BC - 276 BC - 275 BC 274 BC...

Retreat from Italy

While Pyrrhus had been campaigning against the Carthaginians, the Romans rebuilt their army by calling up thousands of fresh recruits. When Pyrrhus returned from Sicily, he found himself vastly outnumbered against a superior Roman army. After the inconclusive Battle of Beneventum in 275 BC Pyrrhus decided to end his campaign in Italy and return to Epirus which resulted in the loss of all his Italian holdings. Recruit or Army recruit is a term often colloquially used to refer to the lowest military rank in various armed services, particularly the grade of Private E-1 in the United States Army. ... Combatants Roman Republic Epirus, Magna Graecia Commanders Manius Curius Dentatus Pyrrhus of Epirus 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 Manius Curius Dentatus. ... 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...

Last wars and death

A coin from Epirus. On left is the head of Pyrrhus' mother, Phthia. On the right is Athena, shield and spear in hands with a battle stance. The Greek inscription reads ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΥΡΡΟΥ ([coin] of King Pyrrhus).

Though his western campaign had taken a heavy toll on his army as well as his treasury Pyrrhus yet again went to war. Attacking King Antigonus II Gonatas he won an easy victory and seized the Macedonian throne. Image File history File links Epirus_coins. ... Image File history File links Epirus_coins. ... Phthia (in Greek Φθια; lived 4th century BC) was a daughter of Menon of Pharsalus, the Thessalian hipparch, and wife of Aeacides, king of Epirus, by whom she became the mother of the celebrated Pyrrhus, as well as of two daughters: Deidamia, the wife of Demetrius Poliorcetes, and Troias, of whom... For other uses, see Athena (disambiguation). ... Coin of Antigonus II Gonatas Antigonus II Gonatas (c. ...

In 272, Cleonymus, a Spartan of royal blood who was hated among fellow Spartans, asked Pyrrhus to attack Sparta and place him in power. Pyrrhus agreed to the plan intending to win control of the Peloponnese for himself but unexpectedly strong resistance thwarted his assault on Sparta. He was immediately offered an opportunity to intervene in a civic dispute in Argos. Entering the city with his army by stealth, he found himself caught in a confused battle in the narrow city streets. During the confusion an old Argead woman watching from a rooftop threw a roofing tile which stunned him, allowing an Argive soldier to kill him (some reports claim he was poisoned by a servant). This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Sparta (Doric: Spártā, Attic: SpártÄ“) is a city in southern Greece. ... Greece and the Peloponnese The Peloponnese or Peloponnesus (Greek: Πελοπόννησος Peloponnesos; see also List of Greek place names) is a large peninsula in southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth. ... Coordinates 37°37′ N 22°43′ E Country Greece Periphery Peloponnese Prefecture Argolis Province Argos Population 29,505 Area 5. ...

Legacy

A monument of Pyrrhus in the town of Arta, Epirus

While he was a mercurial and often restless leader, and not always a wise king, he was considered one of the greatest military commanders of his time, ranked by Hannibal himself to be the second greatest commander the world had seen after Alexander the Great. Pyrrhus was also known to be very benevolent. As a general Pyrrhus' greatest political weaknesses were the failure to maintain focus and the failure to maintain a strong treasury at home (many of his soldiers were costly mercenaries). Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1932 × 2576 pixel, file size: 692 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1932 × 2576 pixel, file size: 692 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Arta (Greek: Άρτα) is a city in north-western Greece, capital of the Arta Prefecture. ... Hannibal, the son of Hamilcar Barca, (247 BC – ca. ... For the film of the same name, see Alexander the Great (1956 film). ...

His name is famous for the phrase "Pyrrhic victory" which refers to an exchange at the Battle of Asculum. In response to congratulations for winning a costly victory over the Romans, he is reported to have said: "One more such victory will undo me!" (In Greek: Ἂν ἔτι μίαν μάχην νικήσωμεν, ἀπολώλαμεν.) A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with devastating cost to the victor. ... 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. ...

Pyrrhus wrote Memoirs and several books on the art of war. These have since been lost although Hannibal was influenced by them and they received praise from Cicero.^{[citation needed]} A memoir, as a literary genre, forms a sub-class of autobiography. ...

External links

• Plutarch's biography
• Pyrrhus of Epirus Article from Livius.Org
• A detailed biography of Pyrrhus
• iliochori.com Information about Epirus

Bibliography

• The Life of Pyrrhus by Plutarch, part of Plutarch's Lives.
• Pyrrhus, King of Epirus by Petros E. Garoufalias ISBN 0-905743-13-X
• The Pyrrhus Portrait by Rolf Winkes, in: The Age of Pyrrhus, Proceedings of an International Conference held at Brown University April 8-10, 1988 (Archaeologia Transatlantica XI), Providence 1992, pages 175-188.

v • d • e Kings of Macedon
Argeads	Karanus · Koinos · Tyrimmas · Perdiccas I · Argaeus I · Philip I · Aeropus I · Alcetas I · Amyntas I · Alexander I · Perdiccas II · Archelaus I · Craterus · Orestes and Aeropus II · Archelaus II · Amyntas III · Pausanias · Amyntas III · Argaeus II · Amyntas III · Alexander II · Ptolemy I1 · Perdiccas III · Amyntas IV · Philip II · Alexander III · Antipater1 · Philip III2 · Alexander IV2 · Perdiccas1 · Antipater1 · Polyperchon1 · Cassander1
Antipatrids	Cassander · Philip IV · Alexander V · Antipater II
Antigonids	Demetrius I · Lysimachus and Pyrrhus · Ptolemy II · Meleager · Antipater II · Sosthenes · Antigonus II · Demetrius II · Antigonus III · Philip V · Perseus
1 Regent of Macedon · 2 Titular king only