Pyrrhic War

The Pyrrhic War (280–275 BCE) is a complex series of battles and shifting political alliances among the Greeks (specifically Epirus, Macedonia, and the city states of Magna Graecia), the Roman Republic, the Italian peoples (primarily the Samnites and the Etruscans), and the Carthaginians.

Most historical treatments of the conflict concentrate on the conflicts between Pyrrhus of Epirus and Rome.

Carthage and Rome are allies in this conflict.

While Carthage does, in fact, pledge aid to Rome in 280 BCE, it is unclear what this aid consists of, or how influential it is in the war.

Later in the conflict, Carthage is involved in its own war with Pyrrhus in Sicily.

There seems to have been no coordinated military efforts between Rome and Carthage.The Pyrrhic War initially starts as a minor conflict between Rome and the city of Tarentum over a naval treaty violation by one of the Roman consuls.

Tarentum has, however, lent aid to the Greek ruler Pyrrhus of Epirus in his conflict with Korkyra, and requested military aid from Epirus.

Pyrrhus honors his obligation to Tarentum and joins the complex series of conflicts involving Tarentum and the Romans, Samnites, Etruscans, and Thurii (as well as other cities of Magna Graecia).

Pyrrhus also involves himself in the internal political conflicts of Sicily, as well as the Sicilian struggle against Carthaginian dominance.Pyrrhus' involvement in the regional conflicts of Sicily reduces the Carthaginian influence there drastically.

In Italy, his involvement seems to have been mostly ineffectual but has long term implications.

The Pyrrhic War proves both that the states of ancient Greece had essentially become incapable of defending the independent colonies of Magna Graecia and that the Roman legions are capable of competing with the armies of the Hellenistic kingdoms — the dominant Mediterranean powers of the time.

This opena the way for Roman dominance over the city states of Magna Graecia and advancea the Roman consolidation of power in Italy greatly.

Rome's proven record in international military conflicts will also aid its resolve in its rivalry with Carthage, which is eventually to culminate in the Punic Wars.Linguistically, the Pyrrhic War is the source of the expression "Pyrrhic victory," a term for a victory won at too high a cost.

Its origin can be seen in Plutarch's description of Pyrrhus' reaction to the report of a victorious battle: The two armies separated; and we are told that Pyrrhus said to one who was congratulating him on his victory, "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined."

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