In the early times of Rome, while she was but little known, it had been
the custom of Greece to send colonies away to relieve the pressure
of too rapid increase. We find them in Spain, France, Asia Minor, and
especially in Sicily and Southern Italy, where the country became so
thoroughly Grecianized that it was called MAGNA GRAECIA. Here were many
flourishing cities, as Tarentum, Sybaris, Croton, and Thurii. These had,
at the time of their contact with Rome, greatly fallen from their former
grandeur, owing partly to the inroads of barbarians from the north,
partly to civil dissensions, and still more to their jealousy of each
other; so that they were unable to oppose any firm and united resistance
to the progress of Rome. It had been their custom to rely largely upon
strangers for the recruiting and management of their armies,--a fact
which explains in part the ease with which they were overcome.
Of these cities TARENTUM was now the chief. With it a treaty had been
made by which the Tarentines agreed to certain limits beyond which their
fleet was not to pass, and the Romans bound themselves not to allow
their vessels to appear in the Gulf of Tarentum beyond the Lacinian
promontory. As usual, the Romans found no difficulty in evading their
treaty whenever it should profit them.
Thurii was attacked by the Lucanians, and, despairing of aid from
Tarentum, called on Rome for assistance. As soon as domestic affairs
permitted, war was declared against the Lucanians, and the wedge was
entered which was to separate Magna Graecia from Hellas, and deliver the
former over to Rome.
Pretending that the war was instigated by Tarentum, Rome decided to
ignore the treaty, and sent a fleet of ten vessels into the Bay of
Tarentum. It was a gala day, and the people were assembled in the
theatre that overlooked the bay when the ships appeared. It was
determined to punish the intrusion. A fleet was manned, and four of the
Roman squadron were destroyed.
An ambassador, Postumius, sent by Rome to demand satisfaction, was
treated with insult and contempt. He replied to the mockery of the
Tarentines, that their blood should wash out the stain. The next year
one of the Consuls was ordered south.
Meanwhile Tarentum had sent envoys to ask aid of PYRRHUS, the young and
ambitious KING OF EPIRUS. He was cousin of Alexander the Great, and,
since he had obtained no share in the division of the conquests of this
great leader, his dream was to found an empire in the West that would
surpass the exhausted monarchies of the East.
Pyrrhus landed in Italy in 281 with a force of 20,000 infantry,
3,000 cavalry, and 20 elephants. He at once set about compelling the
effeminate Greeks to prepare for their own defence. Places of amusement
were closed; the people were forced to perform military duty; disturbers
of the public safety were put to death; and other reforms were made
which the dangers of the situation seemed to demand. Meanwhile the
Romans acted with promptness, and boldly challenged him to battle. The
armies met in 280 on the plain of HERACLEA, on the banks of the Liris,
where the level nature of the country was in favor of the Greek method
of fighting. The Macedonian phalanx was the most perfect instrument of
warfare the world had yet seen, and the Roman legions had never yet been
brought into collision with it.
The Romans, under LAEVINUS, were defeated, more by the surprise of a
charge of elephants than by the tactics of the phalanx. However, they
retired in good order. Pyrrhus is said to have been much impressed by
the heroic conduct of the foe, and to have said, "Another such victory
will send me back without a man to Epirus." He recognized the inferior
qualities of his Greek allies, and determined to make a peace. A trusted
messenger, CINEAS, was sent to Rome. He was noted for his eloquence,
which was said to have gained more for his master than the sword.
Through him Pyrrhus promised to retire to Epirus if safety was
guaranteed to his allies in Italy.
The eloquence of Cineas was fortified with presents for the Senators;
and though these were refused, many seemed disposed to treat with him,
when the aged APPIUS CLAUDIUS CAECUS (Blind) was led into the Senate,
and declared that Rome should never treat with an enemy in arms.
Cineas was deeply impressed by the dignity of the Romans, and declared
that the Senators were an assembly of kings and Rome itself a temple.
Pyrrhus then tried force, and, hastily advancing northward, appeared
within eighteen miles of the city. Here his danger became great. The
defection he had hoped for among the Latins did not take place, and
the armies which had been operating elsewhere were now ready to unite
against him. He therefore retired into winter quarters at Tarentum,
where he received the famous embassy of GAIUS FABRICIUS, sent to propose
an interchange of prisoners. It was in vain that bribes and threats were
employed to shake the courage of the men sent by the Senate; and, on his
part, Pyrrhus refused to grant the desired exchange.
Many Italian nations now joined Pyrrhus, and hostilities were renewed.
The armies again met in 279 on the plain of ASCULUM, in Apulia; but
though the Romans were defeated, it was only another of those Pyrrhic
victories which were almost as disastrous as defeat.
The same year Pyrrhus retired to Sicily to defend Syracuse against the
Carthaginians, who were allied to the Romans. He remained on the island
three years. Upon his return to Italy he met the Romans for the last
time in 274, near BENEVENTUM, where he was defeated by the Consul MANIUS
CURIOUS DENTATUS. The Romans had by this time become accustomed to the
elephants, and used burning arrows against them. The wounded beasts
became furious and unmanageable, and threw the army into disorder. With
this battle ended the career of Pyrrhus in Italy. He returned home, and
two years later was accidentally killed by a woman at Argos.
The departure of Pyrrhus left all Italy at the mercy of Rome. Two years
later, in 272, the garrison at Tarentum surrendered, the city walls were
demolished, and the fleet given up.