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  • 10 - Pyrrhus

  • Edited by F. W. Walbank, University of Liverpool, A. E. Astin, M. W. Frederiksen, R. M. Ogilvie
  • Assisted by A. Drummond
  • Book:
    The Cambridge Ancient History
    Published online:
    28 March 2008
    Print publication:
    29 March 1990, pp 456-485

  • Summary

    This chapter talks about the reign of King Pyrrhus of Epirus. A squadron of ten Roman ships did make a surprise appearance in the harbour of Tarentum, probably in the autumn of 282, which started the Rome-Tarentum conflict. As king of the Molossians, Pyrrhus was at the same time the hegemon of the Epirote League which was founded around 325/20. The consul Aemilius Barbula's rigorous action against Tarentum resulted first of all in the choice of a new general, by the name of Agis, whose good connexions with Rome, it was hoped, would bring about a peaceful end to the conflict. In 280 BC, Pyrrhus's army clashed with the Romans at Heraclea. Pyrrhus took the enemy camp and only nightfall put an end to the pursuit of the enemy. The Battle of Ausculum took place in 279 BC which Pyrrhus won again, though his victory was overshadowed by the loss of 3500 of his men.