Rome and Pyrrhos. The Negotiations of the Years 280-278 B.C. (II)

Abstract

Literary tradition records more negociation rounds between Rome and the king of Epyrus in the period between the battle of Heraklea in the summer of 280 B.C. and the departure of Pyrrhos in Sicily, in the spring of 278 B.C. The number of diplomatic contacts and the negociated terms are not entirely elucidated. Analyzing the text of Iustinus 18.2, B. Niese was inclined to demonstrate, more than 100 years ago, that Pyrrhos had negociated with the Romans only once, after the battle of Ausculum. Niese’s assumption, which gathered many believers among the specialists, does not, by far, lack of contradictions and vulnerable points. Iustinus’ text mingled different events from the two years the king had spent in Italy, and his version is no clearer than that of Plutarch, Appian and Zonaras. They mention two round of negociations, the first after the defeat of the Roman legions at Herakleia, and the latter after the fight of Ausculum. The combination of the existent information in literary tradition makes us believe that the two enemies have discussed twice, after each battle. Probably, each time, Pyrrhos presents, by Kineas, his minister, the terms Appian, Samn. 10.1 mentions in a more credible versions than others that have come to us.