Although a master tactician, his ‘Pyrrhic victories’ have already become synonymous with success at devastating cost.Įpirus now faces many choices across the Adriatic Sea is Rome, to the east Macedon, and to the south Sparta. In 281 BC, again with Egyptian support, Pyrrhus entered into conflict with Rome to aid the Greek colony of Tarentum. During the Wars of the Successors (322 – 275 BC), the Epirot throne was reclaimed through the political manoeuvring of King Pyrrhus with the military backing of Ptolemaic Egypt. With close connections to Macedon, through the marriage of the princess Olympias to Phillip II, Epirus prospered under the empire of their son, Alexander the Great. Ruled by the Molossian Aeacidae dynasty, the kings of Epirus claim descent from Achilles and Deidamea. These also provide the basis for its fleets and a means for its dignitaries to travel abroad. With an economy focused on a diverse and scattered agricultural base, most of Epirus' trade is conducted via its fishing ports on the Adriatic Sea. They also make extensive use of mercenaries from throughout the Greek-speaking world. An agriculture and fishing-based society, Epirus nevertheless maintains a balanced army on the Alexandrian model, consisting of cavalry, archers, peltasts, pikemen and war elephants. Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Epirus is a Greek kingdom formed of numerous small villages and towns, rather than the great cities of the south.
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