The Battle of Asculum 279 B.C.: Pyrrhus, Rome, and the Deadliest Clash of Legion and Phalanx (Epic Battles of Ancient History)
Language: English
Published by Antonios Athenaeus, 2026
- Softcover
- New
Seller: California Books, Miami, FL, U.S.A.California Books
AbeBooks seller since October 27, 2023
Condition: New
£ 21.01
Quantity: Over 20 available
Add to basketSeller Inventory # I-9798235969131
- Title
- The Battle of Asculum 279 B.C.: Pyrrhus, Rome, and the Deadliest Clash of Legion and Phalanx (Epic Battles of Ancient History)
- Author
- Athenaeus, Antonios
- Publisher
- Antonios Athenaeus
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Soft cover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 13
- 9798235969131
The Battle of Asculum was not a war of maneuver or surprise. It was a brutal contest of endurance between two powers already learning how difficult the other would be to destroy.
In 279 B.C., one year after Heraclea, King Pyrrhus of Epirus marched again into Apulia seeking the decisive victory that could break Roman resistance in southern Italy before Rome's superior manpower and allied system reshaped the war. Opposing him were the Roman consuls Publius Decius Mus and Publius Sulpicius Saverrio, commanding armies that had already faced the Epirote king once and no longer feared either his phalanx or his elephants.
The Battle of Asculum became the largest and bloodiest engagement of the Pyrrhic War. Fought across broken ground cut by streams, wooded sectors, and narrow approaches, the battle denied both armies the kind of clean deployment they wanted. Roman manipular flexibility clashed violently with the dense cohesion of the Hellenistic phalanx in a prolonged struggle where exhaustion, pressure, and battlefield control mattered as much as tactical brilliance.
This book examines Asculum not simply as another victory for Pyrrhus, but as the moment when battlefield success began slipping away from strategic decision. It reconstructs the difficult opening movements, the savage infantry fighting in restricted terrain, the cavalry actions on the wings, and the delayed but decisive commitment of Pyrrhus' elephants that finally forced the Roman army to withdraw after hours of relentless combat.
Drawing on ancient sources including Plutarch, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Appian, Frontinus, and Livy, this study combines narrative, tactical analysis, battlefield reconstruction, and operational interpretation to examine one of antiquity's most important military encounters. The volume includes:
• Strategic background after Heraclea
• Analysis of Roman and Epirote armies
• Reconstruction of the battlefield near Asculum
• Step-by-step examination of the battle phases
• Tactical diagrams of deployments and maneuvers
• Analysis of cavalry and elephant operations
• Operational and strategic consequences of the campaign
Asculum gave Pyrrhus another battlefield victory.
It also revealed that Rome could absorb defeat, rebuild its armies, and continue the war with its strength-and determination-still intact.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Antonis Athenaeus is a Greek military officer and author with a lifelong dedication to history and strategy. Drawing on both his professional experience and academic background, he brings ancient battles to life through vivid narrative and modern strategic analysis.
He is the creator of the series Epic Battles of the Ancient World, where each volume explores a decisive clash of antiquity and the timeless lessons of leadership and resilience that still resonate today.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
California Books
Miami, FL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 27, 2023
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 3 to 7 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 9.06 |
Payment methods
Store description
We have 20 years experience selling books worldwide! Friendly customer support. Your satisfaction guaranteed!
Specialty
All authorized categoriesSeller's business information
Miramar International Services LLC
FL, U.S.A.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to California Books, Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.