The King of Epirus Pyrrhus is one of the most prominent figures in Greek history and his turbulent life is vividly described by Plutarch.

The King of Epirus Pyrrhus is one of the most prominent figures in Greek history and his turbulent life is vividly described by Plutarch.

 With the appearance of the Molossian king, the ancient Epirus gained radiation for the first time, far beyond its borders. 

~~ Pyrrhus became famous for his campaign in Southern Italy, to support the Greeks of Greater Greece. 

The victories he achieved, after great losses, became the occasion for the birth of the expression "Pyrrhic victory".

 However, Pyrrhus' campaign in Italy and the weakening of his homeland by a fighting population later caused great damage to it, when it was invaded by the Romans.

 It is worth noting that Pyrrhus was fortunate to inherit the military organization of Alexander the Great, which for Epirus is the equivalent of Philip II.

 ~~ Alexander reorganized the society of Epirus and is probably the successor of the formations that the In 353 BC, Philip's marriage to Olympiada brought Epirus and its army under Macedonian influence in Greece.

 It is then that for the first time, reconnaissance units appear in the Continental Army. 

In 281 Tarentum (in southern Italy) asked for Pyrrhus’s assistance against Rome. 

He crossed to Italy with about 25,000 men, and in 280 won a complete, if costly, victory over a Roman army at Heraclea. 

In 279 Pyrrhus, again suffering heavy casualties, defeated the Romans at Ausculum (Ascoli Satriano) in Apulia.

 In 275 he suffered heavy losses in a battle against Rome at Beneventum (Benevento).

King Pyrrhus of Epirus also brought twenty elephants to attack the Romans at the Battle of Heraklion in 280 BC. 

The Romans were not prepared to fight elephants, and the forces of Epirus led the Romans to a great defeat.

Pyrrhus entered Italy with an army consisting of 20,000 infantry, 3,000 cavalry, 2,000 archers, 500 slingers, and 20 war elephants in a bid to subdue the Romans.

 The elephants had been loaned to him by Ptolemy II Philadelphus, who had also promised 9,000 soldiers and a further 50 elephants to defend Epirus while Pyrrhus and his army were away.