King Pyrrhus
The king of Epirus who made Ambracia his capital and gave his name to the “Pyrrhic victory”.
- Born
- About 319/318 BC, Epirus
- Died
- 272 BC, Argos
- Capital
- Ambracia, from 295 BC (per this source)
- War with Rome
- 280–275 BC
Pyrrhus was born about 319/318 BC in Epirus and ruled twice: in 307–302 BC, when Cassander drove him out, and in 297–272 BC, restored with the support of Ptolemy I. In 295 BC, according to the English Wikipedia, he moved the capital to Ambracia, today's Arta. This guide's page on Ambracia gives 294 BC, so the date is approximate.
The wars
In the Pyrrhic War (280–275 BC) he fought Rome on behalf of Tarentum. He won at Heraclea in 280 BC and at Asculum in 279 BC, at great cost; the phrase “Pyrrhic victory” comes from his remark after the second battle. He lost at Beneventum in 275 BC. In Sicily (278–276 BC) he began successfully but became unpopular. He was killed in 272 BC at Argos, when a woman threw a roof tile that knocked him from his horse.