Pyrrhus of Epirus

Pyrrhus was king of the Greek tribe of Molossians in Epirus by hereditary right, but for most of his life he struggled with rival claimants in a collateral line. He was related to Olympias, mother of *Alexander the Great, and attempted to equal or rival Alexander as a world conqueror.
At the age of seventeen, while temporarily out of power in Epirus, he joined with *Demetrius I Poliorcetes and was with him at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 and was later placed in command of various Greek holdings by him.

He later transferred his allegiance to *Ptolemy I. When *Cassander died in 297, Pyrrhus was called to aid one of his sons against his brother, as was Demetrius. Demetrius murdered the young man and proclaimed himself king of Macedonia, a position that Pyrrhus also coveted.
In 286 he joined with Lysimachus and Ptolemy to drive Demetrius from Macedonia and agreed to share rule of Macedonia with Lysimachus. He was, however, driven out by Lysimachus in 283 after the death of Demetrius in Asia. While frequently in conflict with Antigonus II Gonatas, son of Demetrius, Pyrrhus was looking for new opportunities and found one in a request for aid from the city of Tarentum in south Italy, which had entered a war with Rome.

Pyrrhus is most famous for his war against the Romans (282-274), in which he won several battles but at great cost in casualties, which he could not easily replace.On being congratulated by his staff for another victory, he is said to have remarked, “One more such victory and I am finished”—hence the term “Pyrrhic victory.”

He removed most of his forces to Sicily to respond to requests for help, and to seek further conquests, but was ultimately unsuccessful. He returned to Italy briefly and finally withdrew to Epirus in 274. He acquired another army, mostly Gauls as mercenaries, and invaded Macedonia and temporarily drove Antigonus II Gonatas to the seacoast. But while plundering the countryside, his Gauls desecrated royal tombs at Aegae (modern Verghina) and enraged the local population. It was an opportune time for Pyrrhus to seek yet another opportunity for conquest, this time against Sparta, ostensibly aiding an exiled king. Sparta defended itself vigorously, and aid from Macedonia at the last minute caused Pyrrhus to withdraw. In the meantime, a faction in the city of Argos sought his aid; the other faction sought help from Antigonus.

During fierce fighting in the city, Pyrrhus was hit on the head by a roof tile thrown by an old woman who observed her son in danger from Pyrrhus. While he was stunned, a Macedonian soldier recognized him and attempted (sloppily) to cut off his head; the severed head was presented to Antigonus. Pyrrhus’ soldiers admired him for his boldness and considerable combat skills, while rivals universally considered him one of the best generals who ever lived.

Bibliography: N.G.L. Hammond/Walbank, A History of Macedonia, vol. 3, 336-167 B.C., 1996, Greek Edition.

http://historyofepirus.wordpress.com/2007/03/05/pyrrhus-of-epirus/

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Molossian Decrees

09. Dodona, sanctuary of Zeus: stone stele with decree of Molossians before 330? Cabanes (197611) 541 no. 6; SEG xxvi. 699.
[ Gods. When king was Al]exa[ndros when p]rosta[tas of Molos]sians was Ar[istoma]chos Om[phalas, and when] secretary was Me]neda[mos Laru]os, [Molossoi] ga[ve] exe[mption from taxes——-]
D10. Dodona, sanctuary of Zeus: bronze plaque recording an offering by Zakynthians, late 330?Eggerr(1877) 254 fr; Carapanos (1878) i. 39-40; Franke (1955) 38, suggesting a date soon after 334; Dakans (1964) pl. 4; Hammond (1967) 534; (no reference in Parke 1967); Cabanes (1981) 26, 36 no. 4.
God. Forrune. Zeus, ruler of Dodona, the gift to you i send from me: Agathon son of Echephulos and descent line, proxenoi of Molossians and allies in thirty generations, descent line from Kassandra of Troy. Zakynthians.
D11. Dodona. sanctuary of Zeus: bronze plague, 343 - 331?Carapanos (1878) i. 32. 5; SGDl 1337; Fraser (1954) 57 n. 13 (attributing to the fourth century and to Alexandros I); Hammond (1967) 536. Restorations are very uncertain. For the word-end restored as ‘allie]s?’ a restoration as [commonal]ty?’ is equally possible.
(When king was Alex[andros, when prostatas of Molossoi was Bakch[- -, and secretary was Sun[- - - of Molossoi and *allies of the Molossoi——-] citizenship
D12. Dodona. sanctuary of Zeus: bronze plague, 343 - 331?SGDI 1334. Fraser (1954) 57 n. 13 (attributing To the fourth century and to Alexandros I); Hammond (1967) 535-6.
With good fortune. While king was Alexandros, when prostates of Molossoi was Aristoma[ch]os Omphalas and secretary was Menedamos Omphalas, they the commonalty of Molossoi gave equivalence-of -citizenship to Simias of Apollonia, resident in Theptinon, to himself and to descent line and to descent from] descent line
D13. Dodona, sanctuary of Zeus: bronze plaque, 343-331?Carapanos (1878) L 27. 3; SGDI 1335; Fraser (1954) 57 n. 13 (attributing to the fourth century and to Alexandres I); Hammond (1967) 535—6 (restoring *of the [Molossians)’ rather than ‘of the [Epeirotai]’); Cabanes (1976a) 541 no 5.
[While king] was [Al]exandros. when o[f] Molossoi [prostatas] was Aris(to]machos Omphalas. secr]etar{y] was Menedamos [Omphalas. re]solved by t[h]e assembly of the [Molossoi]: Kteson i[s] benefactor, [hence to give] citizenship ro Ktes[on and] descent line.
D14* Duduna, sanctuary of Zeus: limestone stele, 343-331? Cahanes (1976a) 588-9 no 74; SEG xxvi. 700,
[God], Fortune. While king was [Alexandros. when prostatas of Molossoi was Theudotos Koroneiatas. when secretary was Menedamo[s] Larruos, Pheideta son of Inon released Kleanor as free, both remaining and running away wherever he may choose Witnesses: Mega[s] son of Sinon, Amunandros son of Eruxi[s], Dokimos son of Eruxis, Amunandros son of Inon. Nikanor son of Alipon.
DI5- Dodona. sanctuary of Zeus: bronze plaque, c.330?Carapanos (1878) i. 27. 2; SGDI 1351; Cabanea (1976a) 580 no. 55; Cabanes (1981) 27, 36 no. 5 (assigning a date near to 330).
Released Grupon from slavery the following, by foreigners’ manumission, Theo-dotos, Aleximachos. So[m]utha. Galaithos, Xenus. Witnesses: of Mollossoi [sic] Androkkas Dodonaios. Philipos Dodonaios. Philoxenos Dodonaios, Draipos Dodonaios, Agilaios Dodonaios, Krainus Phoinatos, Amunandros Dodonaios. Of Threspotoi [sic] Dokimos Larisaios, Peiandros Eleaios. Menandros Tiaios, Alex-andros Tiaios. Demon son of Thoxouchares, Philippo[s], Philon Onopernos. When prostatas was Philoxenos Onopern[os. Of Zeus] Naios (and) Diana.
D16 Dodona, sanctuary of Zeus: bronze plaque, late fourth century? Carapanos (1878) L 27. 1; SGDI 1336; Michel. Recueil 317; Franke (1955) 35-6 (construing the phrase ‘the allies of the Apeirotai’ as a partitive genitive and as denoting ‘those within the Epeirote alliance’); Hammond (1967) 550-60 (dating it to 317-312 or 302-297); Cabanes (1976a) 545 no. 1 a; (1981) 28, 37 no. 6.
God. Fortu[ne. To K]leomachos Atintan the allies of the Apeirotai gave within Apeiros tax exemption, when king was Neoptolemos son of Alexandros, when prostatas was Derkas of Molossoi—and full fiscal rights.

Bibliography:
Alternatives to Athens: Varieties of Political Organization and Community in Ancient GreeceBy Stephen (EDT) Hodkinson, Roger Brock