Pyrrhus of Eprius was the greatest general of the late Hellenistic era. In his youth he bounced around the courts of the competing kingdoms of Alexander’s successors. He eventually secured the throne to his home country Eprius and later seized control of Macedonia. However, it was clear that he was not going to be able to maintain control of Macedonia so he left for the West with an eye towards doing in the western Mediterranean what Alexander did in the East.
He was invited by the Tarentines (Greeks of southern Italy) to protect them from the Romans who were seeking to expand across Italy. Pyrrhus crossed over to Italy with a professional Epriot army of 3,000 cavalry, 2,000 archers, 500 slingers, 20,000 infantry and 19 war elephants. The Romans legions at this time were just as the name implies the levy of hardy Roman farmers – citizen soldiers.
Pyrrus fought the Romans at Heraclea. Pyrrhus’ professional army prevailed, but at the shockingly high cost of 4,000 casualties. After his victory, Pyrrhus offered peace with Rome, who had suffered even higher casualties. The Romans would have nothing of it and marched another army of citizen soldiers out the very next campaign season.
Pyrrhus fought the Romans again at Asculum. Again, Pyrrhus’ professional phalanx broke the legions, but yet again, Pyrrhus suffered high losses – 3,500 casualties. It was at this time that Pyrrhus made his famous statement. When congratulated on his victory, he sarcastically replied, “one more victory like this and we will be utterly undone!”
Pyrrhus realized that his losses were irreplaceable, Rome would never treat with him, and every campaign season the Romans would field another consular army of two legions. He decided Sicily might prove to be greener pastures. He was invited to Syracuse by the Sicilian Greeks to fight the Carthaginians. He defeated the Carthaginians and they immediately sued for peace. He then became a despot, and was kicked out of Sicily by the Syracusans. He crossed back over to Italy and fought yet another indecisive battle against the Romans at Beneventum. Finally, he said “screw it” and went back to Eprius.
The Romans never beat him, but they took over the entire civilized world. As for Pyrrhus, he just became a cliché expression for a meaningless victory bought at too high a cost.