# Pyrrhus

> king of Epirus from 307 to 302 and 297 to 272 BC

**Wikidata**: [Q172353](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q172353)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhus_of_Epirus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pyrrhus

## Summary
Pyrrhus was the king of Epirus, ruling in two separate periods: from 307 to 302 BC and again from 297 to 272 BC. He is best known for his military campaigns against Rome and Carthage, which gave rise to the term "Pyrrhic victory" — a win achieved at great cost.

## Biography
- Born: 318 BC
- Nationality: Epirote (ancient Greek)
- Education: 
- Known for: Military campaigns against Rome and Carthage, origin of the term "Pyrrhic victory"
- Employer(s): Kingdom of Epirus
- Field(s): Politics, Military Leadership, Monarchy

## Contributions
Pyrrhus led several major military expeditions, including campaigns in southern Italy and Sicily against the Romans and in support of Carthage during the Pyrrhic War. These efforts, while tactically victorious, resulted in heavy losses that ultimately undermined his strategic position. His battles, particularly at Heraclea (280 BC) and Asculum (279 BC), became synonymous with costly victories. He also attempted to expand Epirote influence in the Peloponnese and Macedonia, though with limited long-term success.

## FAQs
**What is Pyrrhus known for?**  
Pyrrhus is known for his military campaigns against Rome and Carthage, which coined the term "Pyrrhic victory" to describe a win that inflicts unsustainable losses.

**When did Pyrrhus rule Epirus?**  
He ruled Epirus in two separate reigns: first from 307 to 302 BC and again from 297 to 272 BC.

**Where was Pyrrhus born?**  
He was born in 318 BC, likely in the region of Epirus, an ancient Greek kingdom located in the northwestern part of the Greek peninsula.

**What battles did Pyrrhus fight?**  
Pyrrhus fought several notable battles, including Heraclea (280 BC) and Asculum (279 BC) against Rome, and others during his campaigns in Sicily and the Peloponnese.

**What is a Pyrrhic victory?**  
A Pyrrhic victory refers to a victory that comes at such a high cost that it is tantamount to a defeat, named after Pyrrhus's costly military successes against Rome.

**Did Pyrrhus ever win a lasting victory?**  
While Pyrrhus won several tactical battles, his strategic gains were short-lived due to the heavy losses incurred, preventing him from consolidating long-term control.

## Why They Matter
Pyrrhus's legacy lies in his embodiment of ancient military leadership and the strategic paradox of costly victories. His campaigns shaped early Roman history and influenced military theory. The term "Pyrrhic victory" entered global lexicon, symbolizing the dangers of short-term gains at the expense of long-term stability. His reign also marked a pivotal moment in the transition from Greek city-state dominance to Roman hegemony in the Mediterranean.

## Notable For
- Coining the term "Pyrrhic victory"
- Leading major military campaigns against Rome and Carthage
- Ruling Epirus in two distinct periods
- Attempting to expand Greek influence in Sicily and southern Italy
- Being a central figure in the Hellenistic period’s geopolitical struggles
- Influencing military strategy and terminology for centuries

## Body

### Early Life and Rise to Power
Pyrrhus was born in 318 BC, during a time of political fragmentation in the Greek world following the death of Alexander the Great. He belonged to the royal house of the Aeacidae, a lineage that claimed descent from Achilles. His early life was marked by exile and political instability, as Epirus was frequently contested by Macedonian and other regional powers. He eventually seized the throne of Epirus in 307 BC, beginning his first reign, which lasted until 302 BC. During this period, he was briefly displaced but later returned to power in 297 BC, ruling until his death in 272 BC.

### Military Campaigns and the Pyrrhic Wars
Pyrrhus is most famous for his military campaigns during the Pyrrhic Wars (280–275 BC), fought primarily against the Roman Republic and its allies. These wars began when the Greek cities of southern Italy requested his aid against Roman expansion. In 280 BC, he landed in Italy with an army that included war elephants, a novelty in western Mediterranean warfare. His first major engagement was at Heraclea, where he defeated the Romans but suffered significant casualties. A second victory at Asculum in 279 BC was similarly costly, prompting the phrase "Pyrrhic victory."

### Sicilian Expedition
In 278 BC, Pyrrhus was invited by the Greek cities of Sicily to help them resist Carthaginian forces. He achieved military success, expelling the Carthaginians from much of the island. However, his authoritarian rule and heavy-handed tactics alienated the local Greek populations. Eventually, he abandoned Sicily and returned to Italy, where he continued his struggle against Rome.

### Final Campaigns and Death
After his return from Sicily, Pyrrhus focused on consolidating power in the Greek mainland, particularly in the Peloponnese. He intervened in various conflicts, attempting to assert dominance over Greek leagues. In 272 BC, he was killed during a battle in Argos while attempting to mediate a local conflict. He was reportedly struck by a tile thrown from a rooftop, marking a violent end to his tumultuous reign.

### Legacy and Influence
Pyrrhus's legacy is multifaceted. Militarily, he is remembered for introducing eastern tactics and equipment to western Mediterranean warfare. Politically, his campaigns highlighted the limitations of Hellenistic power in confronting emerging Roman dominance. Culturally, his name became synonymous with costly victories, influencing military and political discourse for centuries. His life and campaigns were chronicled by ancient historians such as Plutarch and Cassius Dio, ensuring his place in historical memory.

### Connections and Titles
Pyrrhus was associated with several key entities:
- **Epirus**: His homeland and the base of his power.
- **Rome**: His primary antagonist in the west.
- **Carthage**: A temporary ally during his Sicilian campaigns.
- **Macedon**: A region he intermittently influenced during his reigns.

His titles and roles included:
- King of Epirus (first reign: 307–302 BC; second reign: 297–272 BC)
- General and statesman of the Hellenistic period
- Central figure in the Pyrrhic Wars

### Historical Significance
Pyrrhus's reign represents a critical juncture in ancient history, bridging the classical and Hellenistic periods. His campaigns demonstrated the military ingenuity of the post-Alexandrian world while also revealing its strategic limitations. His story is emblematic of the broader struggle between Greek and Roman power, and his tactical brilliance, though ultimately self-defeating, influenced the course of Mediterranean history.

## References

1. Q45258460
2. Alexandros 7 (Pauly-Wissowa)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Description of Greece
7. CERL Thesaurus
8. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
9. [Perseus Digital Library](https://catalog.perseus.tufts.edu/catalog/urn:cite:perseus:author.1204)
10. Enciclopedia Treccani
11. LIBRIS. 2012
12. Dizionario di Storia