v20_0003 - CALABRIA - TARENTUM Nomos, statère ou didrachme

CALABRIA - TARAS

(281-272 BC)

Pyrrhus Strategos, King of Epirus

Following the arrival of Pyrrhus in Italy, in 281 BC, the consul L. Aemilius Barbula devastated the territory of the Tarentines after the destruction of a Roman squadron in the Gulf of Taranto. Pyrrhus, thanks to his elephants and to everyone's surprise, won the indecisive battle of Heraclea in 279 BC, hence the expression "Pyrrhic victory" which is equivalent to a victory which leaves the winner so exhausted that a defeat would not have weakened him more.