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[[File: Pyrrhus.jpg|300px250px|thumbnail|left|Bust of King Pyrrhus of Epirus]]__NOTOC__The term “Pyrrhic Victory” is commonly said but its origins are rarely understood by those who use it. The term can be traced to the reign of King Pyrrhus of Epirus (ruled 297-272 BC), who was known for being a truly Hellenistic king – always bellicose and looking to expand his kingdom and reputation through war and intrigue. The term is generally applied to any military victory that is extremely costly, often costing the victor more than it was worth. A couple of notable modern examples include the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 and the Soviet-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940. In both of these examples, victory only came at the great loss of life and for the most part , they proved to be long-term strategic failures.

The term is generally traced to Pyrrhus’ prosecution of the Pyrrhic War (280-275 BC) against the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian colonies in Sicily. In that war, Pyrrhus won battle after battle, but in the end , lost the war. In fact, throughout Pyrrhus’ long career as a military leader, he won nearly every battle he fought, yet they all came at great cost of lives and without any long-term success. An examination of the ancient sources that recorded Pyrrhus’ life – primarily Plutarch (AD 46-199), but also Polybius (208-125 BC) and Diodorus (90-30 BC) – reveals that although Pyrrhus was a brave warrior-king who was respected by his men, he failed to properly employ diplomacy and statesmanship along with his battlefield victories. Because of that, Pyrrhus was doomed to be remembered as the man who won battles but little else.

====Pyrrhus and Epirus====[[File: Pompeii_war_elephant.jpg|300px250px|thumbnail|left|Statue from Pompeii, Italy of a War Elephant]]In many ways , Pyrrhus was truly a man of his era, although perhaps early in his life and career , he was a little out of place. He was the son of Aeacid, the King of Epirus, which is located in what is modern northwest Greece. Pyrrhus and his family were descended from the Greek -speaking Molossian tribe , and despite having long-term cultural contacts with the Greek city-states to the south and Macedon to the east, the Epirots were often considered <i>barbarians</i> by the other Greeks. For their part, the Epirots considered themselves Greek and even developed a descent myth, claiming the legendary Greek warrior Achilles as the progenitor of their people. Still, Epirus was overshadowed even by Macedon well into the Hellenistic Period (332-31 BC) due to the kingdom’s relative poverty, which was the result of its lack of natural resources. But what the Epirots did not have in material wealth they made up for with their martial abilities, so by the time of the later Wars of Diadochi (322-281 BC) they would play a role in the political formation of the Hellenistic world. <ref> Wylie, Graham. “Pyrrhus Πολεμιστής.” <i>Latomus</i> 58 (2005) pgs. 300-2</ref>

Pyrrhus was raised by GlauciasThe Epirots considered themselves Greek and even developed a descent myth, claiming the king legendary Greek warrior Achilles as the progenitor of Illyriatheir people. Still, who installed him as king of Epirus in 307 was overshadowed even by Macedon well into the Hellenistic Period (332-31 BC at ) due to the age of twelve; but as kingdom’s relative poverty, which was often the case in result of its lack of natural resources. But what the Hellenistic Period things Epirots did not go as planned. Cassander of Macedon usurped the young Pyrrhus have in 303 and tried to buy him from Glaucias material wealth they made up for 200 talentswith their martial abilities, but so by the time of the Illyrian king refusedlater Wars of Diadochi (322-281 BC), thereby saving they would play a role in the Epirot for a future life political formation of fame and glorythe Hellenistic world. <ref> KingWylie, Carol JGraham. “Pyrrhus Πολεμιστής. ” <i>Ancient Macedonia.Latomus</i> 58 (London: Routledge, 20182005), ppgs. 218300-2</ref>

The young Pyrrhus thrust himself into was raised by Glaucias, the violent and cunning world king of the Hellenistic kingsIllyria, aligning with Demetrius who installed him as king of Epirus in 307 BC at the Battle age of Ipsus in 301 BC. <ref> Kingtwelve, p. 224</ref> Although Pyrrhus but as was on often the losing side case in that fight, he gained respect among the Diadochi Hellenistic Period things did not go as well as his own people for his bravery and ability on the battlefieldplanned. The loss at Ipsus was the beginning Cassander of Macedon usurped the end for Demetrius, but it created new opportunities for young Pyrrhus. He had ascended to the throne of Epirus once more in 297 BC 303 and was asked tried to join an alliance with Lysimachusbuy him from Glaucias for 200 talents. Still, Seleucusthe Illyrian king refused, thereby saving the Pyrrhus for a future life of fame and Ptolemy against Demetriusglory. <ref> King, pgsCarol J. 225-7</refi> Proving that friends were a rare commodity among the Hellenistic kings and that land was much more valuable, he agreed to the alliance, which allowed him to partition Macedon with LysimachusAncient Macedonia. <ref/i> King(London: Routledge, 2018), p. 227218</ref> Pyrrhus was not able to consolidate his hold over Macedon for long, but he soon looked to the west for new conquest opportunities.

Although The young Pyrrhus thrust himself into the violent and cunning world of the Hellenistic kings were much more warlike and totalitarian than their classical Greek forebearers, most attempted to give aligning with Demetrius at least superficial attention to culture the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC. <ref> King, p. 224</ref> Although Pyrrhus was on the losing side in that fight, he gained respect among the Diadochi as well as his people for his bravery and ability on the artsbattlefield. The first two Ptolemies built loss at Ipsus was the Library, beginning of the Museumend for Demetrius, and but it created new opportunities for Pyrrhus. He had ascended to the Lighthouse throne of Epirus once more in Alexandria297 BC and was asked to join an alliance with Lysimachus, Pergamon became a major cultural center under the AttalidsSeleucus, and Alexander the Great was tutored by AristotlePtolemy against Demetrius. But apparently Pyrrhus’ only pursuit was warfare<ref> King, pgs. Plutarch noted:225-7</ref>

“We are told Proving that one occasion he was asked at friends were a drinking-party whether he preferred Python to Cephisias as a flute-player: his reply was rare commodity among the Hellenistic kings and that Polyperchon land was a good general – so much as more valuable, he agreed to say that this was the only subject on alliance, which a king needed allowed him to inform himself and pass judgementpartition Macedon with Lysimachus.” <ref> Plutarch. <i> The Age of Alexander: Ten Greek Lives by PlutarchKing, p.227</iref> Translated by Ian Scott Kilvert and Timothy E. Duff. (London: Penguin Books, 2012), Pyrrhuswas not able to consolidate his hold over Macedon for long, VIII </ref>but he soon looked to the west for new conquest opportunities.

Although the Hellenistic kings were much more warlike and totalitarian than their classical Greek forebearers, most attempted to give at least superficial attention to culture and the arts. The first two Ptolemies built the Library, the Museum, and the Lighthouse in Alexandria, Pergamon became a major cultural center under the Attalids. Alexander the Great was tutored by Aristotle. But apparently, Pyrrhus’ only pursuit was warfare. Plutarch noted: “We are told that one occasion he was asked at a drinking-party whether he preferred Python to Cephisias as a flute-player: he replied that Polyperchon was a good general – so much as to say that this was the only subject on which a king needed to inform himself and pass judgment.” <ref> Plutarch. <i> The Age of Alexander: Ten Greek Lives by Plutarch.</i> Translated by Ian Scott Kilvert and Timothy E. Duff. (London: Penguin Books, 2012), Pyrrhus, VIII </ref> Despite being interested in only war, there is evidence that Pyrrhus had some intellectual and academic abilities in that regard. He wrote a now -lost book on military tactics that was were still read by Roman generals 200 years later. <ref> Wylie, p. 298</ref> Yet it was against the Romans in Italy where Pyrrhus earned his reputation.

[[File: Pyrrhic_War.jpg|300px250px|thumbnail|left|Map Showing Pyrrhus’ Movements in Italy and Sicily during the Pyrrhic War]]With his opportunities in Greece temporarily exhausted, Pyrrhus began looking abroad for new chances to enlarge his possessions and fame. It did not take long for a situation to present itself in Italy. The people of the Greek city of Tarentum feared the encroaching Romans, so they invited the Greek -speaking Pyrrhus to Italy to protect them in 280 BC, which marked the beginning of the Pyrrhic War (280-275 BC). <ref> Plutarch, Pyrrhus, XIII</ref> When Pyrrhus arrived in Tarentum, he found the Greeks of the city living a similar lifestyle to the Greeks of the city-states: they enjoyed poetry, philosophy, and the finer things in life. The Epirots and Macedonians were not used to that type of lifestyle, so Pyrrhus essentially put the city under martial law and conscripted many of the men into his army. He then marched out and met the Romans near Heraclea. Plutarch wrote that it was a costly battle that Pyrrhus only won due to his elephant corps.

“At last, as the Romans began to be driven back by the elephants, and their horses, before they could get near the great beasts, started to panic and bolt, Pyrrhus seized the his opportunity: as the Romans faltered, he launched a charge with his Thessalian cavalry and routed the enemy with great slaughter . According to Dionysius, the Romans lost nearly 15,000 men and Pyrrhus 13,000, while Hieronymus reduces these figures to 7,000 on the Roman side and 4,000 on the Greek. But these were some of Pyrrhus’ best troops, and in addition he lost many of the friends and commanders whom he trusted and employed the most.” <ref> Plutarch, Pyrrhus, XVII</ref>

[[File: Roman_coin_of_Pyrrhus.jpg|300px250px|thumbnail|leftright|Depiction of a Roman Coin Showing One of Pyrrhus’ Elephants]]An A close examination reveals that the true problem with Pyrrhus’ victories was not necessarily how costly they were, but more so the his lack of an effective political and diplomatic strategy he employed with themto consolidate his victories. Pyrrhus’ poor diplomatic skills turned the Greeks of Italy and Sicily against him and even made the Romans and Sicilians – natural enemies and competitors for control of the western Mediterranean – to make temporary peaceallies. Polybius wrote that the two powers formalized the anti-Pyrrhus alliance in writing.

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