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Pyrrhus

Pyrrhus

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Pyrrhus , c.318–272 BC, Molossian king of Epirus. He fought at Ipsus in Asia Minor in the service of Demetrius Poliorcetes (later Demetrius I ) of Macedon, and by the aid of Ptolemy I he became (297 BC) joint king of Epirus with Neoptolemus. He removed (295) Neoptolemus from the throne, but before his kingdom was consolidated he went to war with Demetrius (291–286); Pyrrhus obtained half of Macedonia and Thessaly but was driven back (c.286) by Lysimachus . He then went to S Italy with a large force to aid the Tarentines and defeated (280) the Romans at Heraclea. In the same year Pyrrhus' peace proposals were rejected by the Romans. In 279 he again defeated the Romans at Asculum in Apulia. His heavy losses caused him to declare, "one more such victory and I am lost," thus the origin of the term "Pyrrhic victory." At Beneventum (now Benevento) he was barely defeated (275) by the Romans. He again attempted to conquer Macedonia, defeating (273) Antigonus II. Turning his attention suddenly to the Peloponnesus, he failed to take Sparta by siege. He then fled to Argos, where he was killed by a mob in the street. He accomplished nothing beyond bringing Epirus to ruin.

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Pyrrhus

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Pyrrhus (c.318–272 bc), king of Epirus c.307–272. After invading Italy in 280, he defeated the Romans at Asculum in 279, but sustained heavy losses; the term Pyrrhic victory, meaning a victory gained at too great a cost, derives from this.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Pyrrhus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Pyrrhus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Pyrrhus.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Pyrrhus." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Pyrrhus.html

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Pyrrhus

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Pyrrhus (319–272 bc) King of Epirus (307–302, 295–272 bc). An able general, he fought several battles against Rome. Although he won, the cost was so heavy that victory was useless, hence the term ‘pyrrhic victory’.
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Pyrrhus

A Dictionary of World History | 2000 | Copyright

Pyrrhus (c.318–272 BC) King of Epirus c.307–272. After invading Italy in 280, he defeated the Romans at Asculum in 279, but sustained heavy losses, hence a Pyrrhic victory is one in which the cost to the victor is excessive.
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Pyrrhus

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | | Copyright

Pyrrhus Father of Sopater of Beroea, who was one of the companions of Paul on his final journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20: 4). It does not seem that Pyrrhus was himself one of the party.
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "Pyrrhus." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "Pyrrhus." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-Pyrrhus.html

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Pyrrhus

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Pyrrhus in Greek legend: see Neoptolemus .

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Pyrrhus

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

Pyrrhus •Arras, embarrass, harass •gynandrous, polyandrous •Pancras • charas • Tatras • disastrous •ferrous • leprous • ambidextrous •Carreras, mayoress •scabrous •cirrus, Pyrrhus •chivalrous •citrous, citrus •ludicrous • tenebrous •Cyrus, Epirus, papyrus, virus •fibrous • hydrous • Cyprus •retrovirus • monstrous •brachiosaurus, brontosaurus, canorous, chorus, Epidaurus, Horus, megalosaurus, pelorus, porous, sorus, stegosaurus, Taurus, thesaurus, torus, tyrannosaurus •walrus •ochrous (US ocherous) •cumbrous • wondrous • lustrous •Algeciras, Severus •desirous •Arcturus, Epicurus, Honduras •barbarous • tuberous • slumberous •Cerberus • rapturous •lecherous, treacherous •torturous • vulturous • Pandarus •slanderous • ponderous •malodorous, odorous •thunderous • murderous •carboniferous, coniferous, cruciferous, melliferous, odoriferous, pestiferous, somniferous, splendiferous, umbelliferous, vociferous •phosphorous, phosphorus •sulphurous (US sulfurous) •Anaxagoras, Pythagoras •clangorous, languorous •rigorous, vigorous •dangerous • verdurous •cankerous, cantankerous, rancorous •decorous • Icarus • valorous •dolorous • idolatrous •amorous, clamorous, glamorous •timorous •humerus, humorous, numerous •murmurous • generous • sonorous •onerous • obstreperous • Hesperus •vaporous • viviparous • viperous •Bosporus, prosperous •stuporous • cancerous •Monoceros, rhinoceros •sorcerous • adventurous • Tartarus •nectarous • dexterous • traitorous •preposterous • slaughterous •boisterous, roisterous •uterus • adulterous • stertorous •cadaverous • feverous •carnivorous, herbivorous, insectivorous, omnivorous •Lazarus

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