The Romans lost roughly 6,000 men and Pyrrhus about 3,500. In 279 BC, Pyrrhus beat another Roman army at the Battle of Asculum. Rome itself was too well fortified for a successful siege and although Pyrrhus won every major battle, the Romans proved tenacious even in defeat.

Ultimately, however, Pyrrhus was unable to win a decisive strategic victory over Rome. This slowed the progress of future campaigning considerably.Īfter the battle, a number of Italian tribes including the Lucanians, Bruttii, and Messapians, as well as the Greek cities of Croton and Locri, joined Pyrrhus. Although Pyrrhus had suffered fewer losses, many of his officer corps and veterans had been killed and he knew it would be difficult to receive fresh reinforcements. Pyrrhus had his skirmishers pelt the Romans as they crossed the river but they were able to make it across.Īccording to estimates, about 7,000 Romans were killed, and 4,000 Greeks. When negotiations failed, the Romans crossed the river to attack the Greeks. Pyrrhus waited for the Romans at the river Siris. Up to about 6,000 cavalry may have fought on the Roman side. This comprised about eight legions, half of which were Roman, and the other half being supplied by Italian allies like the Bruttians and Campanians. The Romans marched with an army of about 45,000 men. The army also included 20 war elephants, a frightening sight for the Romans who had not seen them before. The skirmishing force was made up of approximately 2,000 archers and 500 elite slingers from Rhodes. The cavalry included the famed Thessalians, who had played a pivotal role in Alexander’s campaigns, as well as the Tarrentines, who were adept at skirmishing from horseback. The Epirote king also had a strong cavalry contingent of about 3,000 or 4,000 horsemen. A force of roughly 6,000 Tarentine hoplites also contributed to the infantry battleline. These troops fought in the manner pioneered by Philip II of Macedon, with the long sarissa pike in the phalanx formation. The bulk of Pyrrhus’ army were phalangites, mostly from Epirus and Macedon. Pyrrhus commanded a combined army of Greeks from Epirus, Tarentum, Thurii, Metapontum, and Heraclea. The Roman force was led by the consul Publius Valerius Laevinus. The first major confrontation between Pyrrhus and the Romans took place at Heraclea in 280 BC. By defeating the “barbarian” enemies of Hellenes, Pyrrhus hoped to establish a similar legacy to Alexander’s. The war against Rome gave him a pretext to establish a new empire in Italy and present himself as a champion of Hellenism.

Facing overwhelming odds, the Tarentines turned to Pyrrhus to help. The Tarentines were alarmed and attacked the Roman garrison at Thurri, forcing the fleet to withdraw. They also sent a fleet to Thurii, thereby violating a treaty that stipulated that Roman warships were not to enter the Tarentine Gulf. Rome sent troops to garrison the Greek colonies of Thurii, Locri, and Rhegium. The war between the Romans and the Tarentines was caused by a broken treaty. Eventually, this led to conflict, and the Greek city of Taras (Latin: Tarentum modern Italian: Taranto) requested assistance from Pyrrhus around 282 BC. However, as the young Roman Republic increased in power, the Greek colonies in Magna Graecia were increasingly casting an anxious eye northwards.

Ancient rome magna graecia