Battle of Asculum
Near Ascoli Satriano, Apulia, southern Italy
What happened
King Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek ruler, fought a Roman army led by the consuls Publius Decius Mus and Publius Sulpicius Saverrio. Near Asculum his army, with war elephants, fought the Romans; ancient writers disagree on whether it lasted one day or two. Pyrrhus is usually said to have won, but he lost a large part of his army and most of his commanders.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It gave us the phrase 'Pyrrhic victory', meaning a win that costs so much it is almost a defeat. According to Plutarch, Pyrrhus said that one more such victory over the Romans would ruin him.
What came next
Pyrrhus went to fight the Carthaginians in Sicily for three years. He returned to Italy, lost to the Romans at Beneventum in 275 BCE, and went home to Epirus.
Did you know?
The Romans built 300 special wagons fitted with spikes and poles to try to stop Pyrrhus's elephants.
Timeline
- 279 BCEPyrrhus and the Romans meet near Asculum.
- Spring 279 BCEPyrrhus wins a costly victory at Asculum.
- After 279 BCEPyrrhus campaigns in Sicily for three years.
- 275 BCEThe Romans defeat Pyrrhus at Beneventum.