Pyrrhus of Epirus, born around 319/318 BCE, was a Greek king and military leader during the Hellenistic period. He belonged to the royal Aeacid house and initially became king of Epirus at the age of 13 in 306 BCE. His reign was interrupted when Cassander dethroned him four years later. Pyrrhus participated in the Wars of the Diadochi and regained his throne in 297 BCE with the assistance of Ptolemy I Soter. He is best known for his involvement in the Pyrrhic War against Rome from 280 to 275 BCE, where he achieved victories at Heraclea and Asculum, albeit at great cost to his forces, leading to the term 'Pyrrhic victory.' After his campaigns in Italy, he attempted to conquer Sicily but faced setbacks and ultimately retreated.Pyrrhus was born to Aeacides, a prince of Epirus, and Phthia, a Thessalian noblewoman. His lineage connected him to notable figures, including Alexander the Great. Following the death of his grandfather, Arrybas, Pyrrhus's father became king, but his reign was marked by conflict with Cassander, leading to Aeacides's dethronement. Pyrrhus and his family sought refuge with Glaucias of the Taulantians. In 313 BCE, as Cassander focused on other conflicts, Aeacides returned to Epirus but was ultimately defeated and killed.In 307 BCE, Glaucias placed the young Pyrrhus on the throne, but he was soon ousted again. He then served his brother-in-law, Demetrius Poliorcetes, and distinguished himself at the Battle of Ipsus in 302 BCE. After being taken hostage in Alexandria, he married Antigone, the stepdaughter of Ptolemy I. Following Cassander's death in 297 BCE, Ptolemy aided Pyrrhus in reclaiming his kingdom. Upon returning to Epirus, he initially ruled alongside Neoptolemus but soon eliminated him to consolidate power.Pyrrhus expanded his kingdom, moving the capital to Ambracia and engaging in conflicts with Demetrius. He achieved a notable victory against Demetrius's forces in 289 BCE but faced challenges in maintaining alliances. In 282 BCE, the Greek city of Tarentum sought his help against Rome, prompting his invasion of Italy. Pyrrhus's army, bolstered by elephants and skilled infantry, won significant battles against the Romans but suffered heavy losses that strained his resources.In 278 BCE, Pyrrhus turned his attention to Sicily, where he initially succeeded in lifting the Carthaginian siege of Syracuse and capturing key cities. However, his heavy-handed tactics alienated the Sicilian Greeks, leading to a decline in support. After a series of military setbacks, he decided to return to Italy, where he faced renewed Roman resistance. The Battle of Beneventum in 275 BCE marked the end of his Italian campaign, resulting in the loss of most of his territorial gains.Pyrrhus then focused on Macedon, achieving victories but also facing growing unpopularity due to his army's behavior. In 272 BCE, he attempted to invade Sparta but was met with fierce resistance. His final campaign led him to Argos, where he was killed during a street battle, struck by a tile thrown by a local woman. His death marked the end of his ambitions in the region, and he was cremated with honors, with his son Helenus returning to Epirus.