Pyrrhus arrives in Italy. From "The Comic History of Rome" by Gilbert à Beckett. Illustrated by John Leech published in 1864.

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Pyrrhus crossed to Italy with his army of 25,000 infantry in 280 BCE. Using 20 war elephants and a superior cavalry force Pyrrhus was victorious at Heraclea in 280 BCE and Ausculum in 279 BCE. But his victories were so costly that the term 'Pyrrhic victory' has entered the lanugage. This illustration, circa 1852, originally appeared in 'The Comic History of Rome' by Gilbert Abbott Beckett. Illustrated by John Leech(1817-1864), Published by Bradbury, Evans, and Co., London1864 edition

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Photo credit: © still light / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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