VITTORIA DI PIRRO - La storia romana in due minuti #163

Summary

In southern Italy, King Pyrrhus of Epirus intervened to aid Taranto against the Romans, bringing 25,000 soldiers and 20 elephants in 280 BC. Initially, the Romans were frightened by the elephants but eventually inflicted heavy losses on Pyrrhus at Heraclea. At Asculum, despite another hard-fought battle, Pyrrhus failed to gain the upper hand. He used elephants again, but they were targeted by the Romans. After the battle in 279 BC, Pyrrhus famously remarked that one more such victory would ruin him, coining the phrase 'Pyrrhic victory.'

Takeaways

• 🏰 Pirro, the King of Epirus, intervened in southern Italy to help Taranto, which was under threat from the Romans.
• 🐘 In 281 BC, Pirro arrived in Italy with an army of about 25,000 men and 20 elephants, which initially frightened the Romans.
• 🛡 The Romans, commanded by Publio Valerio, initially retreated after a long battle at Heraclea.
• 🐃 The Romans referred to elephants as 'Lucani oxen', mistaking them for large local cattle.
• 🔥 Pirro managed to capture the Roman camp but did not gain a decisive advantage at Ascoli Satriano.
• 🎯 At Ascoli Satriano, the elephants were targeted by Roman arrows and javelins, which forced a retreat.
• 🏃 The Romans retreated in good order after the battle, showing their discipline and tactical skills.
• 🗡 After the battle of Asculum in 279 BC, Pirro is said to have exclaimed that one more victory like that over the Romans would mean his downfall.
• 🌐 The phrase 'Pyrrhic victory' originates from Pirro's comment, indicating a win that comes at a great cost.
• 📚 The script provides a historical account of the battles involving Pirro and the Roman Republic in southern Italy.

Q & A

Who was Pyrrhus and what was his relation to the events in southern Italy?

Pyrrhus was the king of Epirus and he intervened in southern Italy to help the city of Tarentum, which was under threat from the Romans.

What year did Pyrrhus first arrive in Italy with his army?

Pyrrhus arrived in Italy in 280 BC with an army of about 25,000 men and 20 elephants.

How did the Romans initially react to Pyrrhus' elephants?

The Romans were initially frightened by the elephants, as they had never seen them before and were unfamiliar with their existence.

What was the outcome of the battle at Heraclea?

At Heraclea, Pyrrhus won a costly victory against the Romans, commanded by Publius Valerius, after a long battle.

What was the significance of the battle at Asculum?

At Asculum, despite a long and hard-fought battle, Pyrrhus did not gain a decisive advantage over the Romans.

How did the Romans counter Pyrrhus' use of elephants in the battle at Asculum?

The Romans countered the elephants by attacking them with fire and javelins, which forced the elephants to retreat.

What was the term used by the Romans to describe the elephants, and why?

The Romans referred to the elephants as 'Lucani bulls', mistaking them for the large oxen native to the region.

What was the result of the battle at Asculum for Pyrrhus?

Despite capturing the Roman camp, Pyrrhus did not achieve a decisive victory at Asculum and decided to use his elephants again, which ultimately failed.

What did Pyrrhus reportedly say after the battle of Asculum, and what phrase is derived from it?

Pyrrhus reportedly exclaimed after the battle of Asculum that if he won another victory like that, he would be ruined, which led to the phrase 'Pyrrhic victory'.

What is the meaning of the term 'Pyrrhic victory'?

A 'Pyrrhic victory' refers to a victory won at a great cost, often rendering the win almost as bad as a defeat due to the losses incurred.

How did the battles in southern Italy impact Pyrrhus' overall campaign against the Romans?

The battles in southern Italy, particularly the costly victories at Heraclea and Asculum, weakened Pyrrhus' forces and ultimately led to his failure to defeat the Romans.