Pyrrhus
Pyrrhus (318-272 B.C.) was king of Epirus, a Hellenistic kingdom. He was also kinsman of Alexander the Great, essayed to emulate the Macedonian by conquering the western World, and in 280 BC, invaded Italy with a huge army, directed to assist the Italian Greeks against Rome. In the decisive battles of that year and the next, he won "Pyrrhic victories" over the Romans, losing so many men that he could not pursue his advantage. His victories against Rome were too costly. A phrase "Pyrrhic victory" is derived from those victories which were so costly that he could not bear them, and subsequently withdrew from Italy.From 278 to 276 BC, he spent helping the Greek colonies in Sicily against Carthage. His success was not uniform, and a Carthaginian fleet inflicted a serious defeat on his fleet returning to Italy. In 274, he was thoroughly vanquished by the Romans, and retired to Epirus. Subsequent wars against Sparta and Argos were marked by disaster. In the latter, he was killed by a tile thrown by a woman.
Wisdom & Quotes
- One more such victory, and we are undone.
Lady Ho