Pyrrhus

This article is about the hero unit. For the other uses of the term in the series, see Pyrrhus of Epirus.

Pyrrhus
Hero information
Introduced in	Age of Empires: Return of Rome
Hero type	Cavalry
Statistics
Hit points	350
Regeneration	30 hit points per minute
Melee attack	19
Reload time	1.5
Melee armor	2
Pierce armor	5
Armor class	Mounted units Hero
Speed	2
Line of Sight	5
Ability	Cannot be converted Can charge his attack by +40 over 40 seconds

“	You call it a curse, to push that rock up the hill forever and ever - but it is no curse. It is the one thing that a man can do when faced with impossible odds. It is his sole recourse in a universe that could not care less about his wishes.	”
—Outro of Sisyphus

Pyrrhus is a cavalry hero in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Return of Rome for Age of Empires. He has a unique appearance, and appears in the Pyrrhus of Epirus campaign.

Ability

Pyrrhus has a charge attack ability, similar to that of the Coustillier of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Lords of the West. He can charge his attack by +40 over 40 seconds.

Campaign appearances

He appears in all scenarios of his campaign.

History

Pyrrhus of Epirus (Greek: Πύρρος, Pýrrhos), a renowned military leader and king of ancient Epirus, initially served under his brother-in-law Demetrius before tensions arose over control of Macedonia. In 302 BCE, Pyrrhus seized power in Macedon, but his reign was short-lived due to opposition from local nobility and neighboring states. Forced to retreat to his homeland of Epirus, Pyrrhus set his sights on Italy, where the city-state of Tarentum sought his aid against the rising power of Rome.

Embarking on the Pyrrhic War (280-275 BCE), Pyrrhus showcased his military prowess through innovative tactics and strategic brilliance. Victories at Heraclea and Asculum came at great cost, leading to the term "Pyrrhic victory" to describe triumphs achieved through heavy losses.

“	One more such victory and we are undone.	”
—Pyrrhus, highlighting the unsustainable nature of his successes

“	If I achieve such a victory again, I shall return to Epirus without any soldier.	”
—Orosius

“	If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.	”
—Plutarch

Pyrrhus then turned to Sicily, aiming to challenge the dominance of the Carthaginians. While he achieved victories against Carthaginian forces, his despotic rule against the very Sicilians who had invited him for aid, led to resistance from Sicilian cities which hindered his expansion plans. Returning to Italy in 275 BCE to once again aid Greek cities against Rome, Pyrrhus initially succeeded but faced overwhelming Roman resources. The Battle of Beneventum in 275 BCE resulted in a decisive Roman victory, leading Pyrrhus to abandon his Italian campaigns and return to Epirus.

Pyrrhus's military exploits left a lasting legacy. He introduced new tactics and emphasized the importance of combined arms and maneuverability. Despite his strategic brilliance, Pyrrhus failed to achieve his long-term objectives. His ventures drained Epirus's resources, weakening the kingdom. In 272 BCE, Pyrrhus died during an assault on Argos, marking the end of a brilliant yet ultimately unfruitful military career.

Trivia

• The unit is depicted with a horned Greek helmet, which is quite a fanciful sight compared to campaign artwork and the many sculptures depicting Pyrrhus with a more conventional ancient helmet. Moreover, there is no trace of an ancient Greek horned helmet to this day.
  • The idea of the horned helmet was probably influenced by recent artistic visions representing Pyrrhus with said helmet.

Gallery

Pyrrhus in Return of Rome

Many artworks of Pyrrhus in the campaign: first row: His conversations with Cineas, his service under Demetrius and then the King of Ptolemaic Egypt, second row: on horseback, during his duel with Pantauchus, and his withdrawal from the Pyrrhic wars in Italy

Marble bust of Pyrrhus found in the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum, now in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

Statue of Pyrrhus in Ioannina, Greece

"Death of Pyrrhus" by Jacob Abbott