025: Pyrrhus (Pt. 2) – Wars with the Diadochi & Westward Ho! (296-280 BC)

Art depicting Pyrrhus of Epirus, recognizable with his helmet adorned with ram’s horns

With the throne of Epirus secure, Pyrrhus would throw himself into the wars of the Diadochi, fighting for control of Macedon against the likes of Demetrius I Poliorcetes and Lysimachus I. It would not be long though before he would turn his eyes to the west, thanks to the meddling of Italian barbarians: the Roman Republic.

Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played by Lina Palera (SoundCloud Profile)

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Timeline (all dates B.C.)
297:
-Pyrrhus retakes the throne of Epirus. Cassander I of Macedon dies, followed by his son a few months later. The underage children of Cassander (Antipater II and Alexander V) rule as joint kings.
296:
-Late in the year, Antipater II kills his mother Stratonike, and Alexander V is driven out of Macedon.
-Antigone, daughter of Berenice and Ptolemy I, dies. Pyrrhus marries several wives, including Lanassa, daughter of Agathocles.
295:
-Pyrrhus restores Alexander V to the throne, rewarded with lands south of Macedon, and the city of Ambracia.
-Lysimachus I forges letter between Ptolemy I and Pyrrhus to secure peace, but is caught.Acts as peace broker between Alexander V and Antipater II.
-Pyrrhus renovates Ambracia, begins to enact monetary reforms of Epirus.
294
-Demetrius I kills Alexander V, Antipater II driven out of Macedon. Demetrius becomes king.
-Deidameia, sister of Pyrrhus, dies
291-290:
-Lanassa leaves Pyrrhus, marries Demetrius I, and takes Corcyra with her.
-Demetrius campaigns in Aetolia, enters into open conflict with Pyrrhus.
289:
-Temporary ceasefire between Pyrrhus and Demetrius
288:
-Lysimachus invades Macedon from the northeast, Pyrrhus invades from the west. Demetrius is driven out of Macedon
287:
-Pyrrhus begins rule of Macedon
286:
-Pyrrhus invades Thessaly and attacks Antigonus II Gonatas
285:
-Lysimmachus and Antigonus II enter into an alliance
283:
-Demetrius Poliorcetes dies, Lysimachus declares war on Pyrrhus and drives him out of Macedon
282:
-The city of Tarentum declares war against the Roman Republic, attacks the Roman garrison at the city of Thurii
281:
-Roman campaigning leaves Tarentum vulnerable, a Tarentine envoy is sent to Pyrrhus of Epirus requesting assistance
-Death of Lysimachus I at the Battle of Corupedium. Ptolemy Keraunos declared king of Macedon
280:
-Pyrrhus begins invasion of Italy, but a storm destroys the majority of his fleet. With a small collection of surviving men, he marches to the city of Tarentum.

Maps:

A map of Magna Graecia, the Greek colonies settled along the Italian Peninsula. It would only be a matter of time before the expanding power of the Roman Republic came into conflict with the wealthy city of Tarentum. Source here

Sources Used:
Primary:
Life of Pyrrhus – Plutarch
Life of Demetrius – Plutarch
Epitome – Justin
Library of History – Diodorus Siculus
Description of Greece – Pausanias
Roman Antiquities – Dionysius of Halicarnassus
Secondary:
“Epirus” – N.G.L. Hammond
-“Pyrrhus of Epirus: Statesman or Soldier? An analysis of Pyrrhus’ political and military traits during the Hellenistic Era.”-  Jonathan Recaldin
“Chapter 10: Pyrrhus” from the Cambridge Ancient History – P.R. Franke
“The Use of Alexander’s Image by Demetrius Poliorcetes and Pyrrhus: Individuality or Imitation?” – Thomas Rodenby