Tarrentine War

The Tarrantine War (War with Pyrrhus) 280-275

I. Roman imperialism south led to conflict with Tarrentum
1. Most Greek poleis folded and accepted a treaty with Rome
2. Tarrentum attacked Roman merchants in their waters (280)
A. Roman ambassadors demand recompense, but are abused
B. Tarrentines seek outside help from all, but are rebuffed until
C. Pyrrhus of Epirus accepts their call
3. Pyrrhus was at a crossroads in his reign
A. He lost Macedon to Lysimachus in 285, but L was slain in 281.
B. Pyrrhus had marriage ties to Syracuse, now a democracy again
C. His long predecessor, the other Alexander, fought in Italy in 330
4. Pyrrhus levies 25,000 men and invades

II. Marks the turning point into History
1. Greek historians of Pyrrhus start to write about Rome
2. Contact with Greeks in Magna Graecia and East brings a wave of Hellenism
3. Rome takes on a kinsman of Alexander the Great (remote kinsman) and lives
4. Full force of Macedonian war machine hits Rome; new technologies

III. Pyrrhus occupies Tarrentum, prepares for war
1. Conscripts all the Tarrentines, forces them to drill
2. Tarrentum ceases to be the enemy, becomes virtual subject of Pyrrhus
3. Recruits local Italians (Messapians) to his banner vs. Rome
4. Engages Valerius Laevinius at Heraclea, 279 and defeats him, heavy losses
5. Engages Decius Mus at Asculum, 278 and defeats him, Pyrrhic Victory
6. Marches on Rome as far as Preaeneste, negotiations fail, he goes to Sicily

IV. Pyrrhus and the Romans
1. Sent Cineas to negotiate but “Rome is full of kings”
2. Sent the POWs home after Heraclea for the Saturnalia holiday
3. Freed them all when they returned
4. Tried to intimidate Fabricius Luscinus, then tried to hire him
5. Offered to split Italy, but App. Claudius Caecus prevented this
6. Respected Roman soldiers

V. Pyrrhus and Carthage
1. Quit Italy in 278 to be crowned king of Sicily – created hostilities with C
2. Renewed his father-in-law’s wars with C and beat them up a few times
3. Gained nothing for all his efforts. C had a navy.
4. Time in Sicily allowed Rome to regroup, reorganize its army.

VI. The Final Italian showdown
1. Maleventum = Beneventum 275, vs M’ Curius Dentatus, dead draw, heavy losses
2. Romans claim it was a victory, but it was not
3. Pyrrhus rushed back to Greece, but left garrisons and planned to return, slain 272