jul 10, 280 BC - Battle of Heraclea

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This battle was essentially the start of the Pyrrhic Wars between western Greece (Epirus) and Rome. Tarentum was part of a coastal area on the lower Italian peninsular which had long been settled by Greeks, hence their call to arms of their Greek brothers as the might of Rome grew. These series of battles lasted until 272BC when Phrrys withdrew his armies to Epirus.

The Battle of Heraclea was the start of these wars and took place in 280 BC between the Romans under the command of consul Publius Valerius Laevinus, and the combined forces of Greeks from Epirus, Tarentum, Thurii, Metapontum, and Heraclea under the command of Pyrrhus, king of Epirus.

Although the battle was a victory for the Greeks, their casualties were so high that they were eventually compelled to withdraw from Italy. It is from this battle that the term "pyrrhic victory" is derived, meaning a victory at such high cost as to amount to a defeat.

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