On This Day: Pyrrhus Lands in Italy
May 4, 280 BCE: Pyrrhus of Epirus steps onto Italian soil with 25,000 men—and 20 war elephants, the likes of which Rome had never seen.
Annibale Carracci — "Saint John the Baptist Bearing Witness" (ca. 1600), public domain
A king lands with monsters.
On or around May 4, 280 BCE, Pyrrhus of Epirus disembarked in southern Italy with an army few Italians had ever seen—Macedonian phalanx, cavalry, and towering Indian elephants, their tusks sharpened for war.
Rome meets its match (almost).
Pyrrhus aimed to aid Greek cities threatened by Rome. His campaign would bring Rome to the brink, but every 'victory' drained his army. Ancient sources say soldiers feared the elephants more than any sword.
Victory, but not for long.
Pyrrhus’ early triumphs left him too weak to finish the job. Today, a 'Pyrrhic victory' means you win the battle, but lose everything that matters.
Pyrrhus’ gamble launched the first epic collision between Rome and a Greek king. His elephants stomped into history, but his victories would come at a cost so high, they gave us a new phrase: 'Pyrrhic victory.'
