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Spanning three extensive volumes, this unique series provides a historically accurate and expansive overview of the life of Pyrrhus—a name many reference because of the phrase "a Pyrrhic victory" without fully understanding or appreciating the phrase's meaning. In the first volume, audiences are introduced to Pyrrhus and his rise to power after Alexander the Great's empire has been divided among Alexander's generals. However, the divisions between them are more than just land divisions. Envy, rivalry, and greed influence the generals' attitudes towards one another. Amid the turmoil, young King Pyrrhus emerges from a northern region of Greece. Disenthroned by Cassander at age seventeen, Pyrrhus eventually regained his throne, and he began establishing his historical legacy as a great commander.
The second volume opens in 295 BC, after Pyrrhus has regained the throne. His ties to his former brother-in-law and one-time friend, Demetrius, have diminished due to the death of Pyrrhus' sister. This volume also covers Pyrrhus' dealings with and ambitions in Macedonia. Later, however, he ventures to Italy at the request of the Greek city of Tarentum to defend it against the Romans. Numerous battles unfold, and each one establishes Pyrrhus as a formidable leader. The opening of this volume, in particular, humanizes Pyrrhus. The depiction of his interactions with his young son, Ptolemy, is particularly emotional and memorable. Balancing this depiction, of course, is the description of Pyrrhus' attitudes about battle. As he marches towards battle in Macedonia, Pyrrhus is filled with an "undeniable thrill of excitement." The volume's conclusion also captures Pyrrhus' unbreakability. After a momentous, history-altering victory against the Romans, Pyrrhus, in one of his most humanized moments in the book, remains with Eurypylus after he is severely wounded and dies.
The third volume opens during the second day of the Battle of Asculum. Pyrrhus' men tend to the wounded of both armies. Pyrrhus himself is wounded. It is from this battle that the phrase "a Pyrrhic victory" emerges. Again, the utilization of artistic license humanizes Pyrrhus' character. An especially poignant moment occurs when he commands, "Let us maintain our dignity by a proper funeral pyre tomorrow morning. Please invite their officers to attend. Once that is done, let us get back to Tarentum as soon as possible." Pyrrhus not only makes the effort to maintain his and his forces' dignity, but he also shows respect to those he defeated by honoring their dead.
Another instance where Pyrrhus' concerns for others outweigh his concern for himself is when a ferocious wind drives a number of ships to the shore, where they crash. Pyrrhus interprets the disaster as a sign from Persephone that he had committed blasphemy, since the ships carried treasure from a sacred temple. Pyrrhus admits, "This has been the worst day of my life, Menestheus. I acknowledge that I took a chance, and I clearly made an unfortunate decision." These moments of self-awareness, consideration, and even altruism are brief, but they help build emotion throughout the series. This particular scene also emphasizes another interesting aspect of the series: the focus on Pyrrhus' religion. Pyrrhus was a Hellenist, and throughout each novel, Pyrrhus champions the religious beliefs of Ancient Greece.
Each volume is written so that the book quickly sweeps its audience into the action. The scenes are vivid, and the dialogue effectively drives the plot. While it is evident that the books are well-researched and carefully detailed, they are not written in a manner that makes one feel as though they are reading an academic text. Names, dates, and events can often become confusing for those venturing through a work of historical fiction. However, these three books have accompanying postscripts and explanatory overviews that will help individuals understand who is who and why they are important to Pyrrhus' story. The author's historical notes also provide valuable insights into the significance of the portrayed events. For example, in the third volume's postscript, the author notes, "The grand world order that Alexander dreamed of would later be achieved by the Romans. Their political attitude of inclusiveness led to a great empire that was denied the Greeks, whose fundamental attitude was exclusiveness."
Another important feature of these books is the maps. Map lovers and history aficionados will definitely appreciate the incorporation of these materials. The maps add a visual context for the events unfolding in each of the books. They also help people understand the world's ancient boundaries and conceptualize how ancient peoples perceived and interacted with their surroundings and those from other cultures. The maps also help one see the vastness of Pyhrrus' conquests. The author states, "I have drawn on both ancient and modern authors and historians to try and create an image of the ancient Mediterranean world as the ancients saw it." The extensive bibliographies prove this statement. Those bibliographies are a valuable addition for anyone interested in further exploring the history, historical figures, and culture of antiquity.
For those interested in expanding their knowledge of antiquity and its most famous figures, this series will be a treasured addition to their collections. For fans of historical fiction, this series opens the gates to an era of history that is quickly being forgotten. These books serve as a testament to why, even in a modern world driven by technology and instant gratification, it remains essential to continue studying Ancient Greece and Rome. Overall, these books offer not only a well-researched fictional account of one of the Western world's greatest military leaders, but they also provide great insight into the philosophical foundations, laws, and political thoughts that have continued to shape the world. Most of all, these texts offer a deeper—albeit fictional—look into Pyrrhus' life. This is important, too, considering that of all of antiquity's historical figures, very little is known about Pyrrhus. His war diaries and chronicles, despite being cited by the likes of Cicero and others, are now lost, and Pyrrhus does not necessarily receive the critical, widespread attention that those like Julius Caesar do. Thus, this fascinating and necessary series may well be one of the most significant contributions to the vast and ever-expanding canon of antiquity-focused literature.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review