Pyrrhus (319-272 B.C.)
Character Sketch
Pyrrhus was a celebrated general who possessed great personal valor and strength. He took personal part in his battles and was admired for his fighting skills by his own troops and enemies alike. His military acumen was comparable to that of Alexander the Great and his innovative tactics in battle (e.g. The use of elephants) were copied by several military commanders later. Hannibal has called him the greatest commander of all time (and placed himself in third place).
He was an opportunist as is proved by his courting of favor in the right places when he was taken to the King of Egypt's (Ptolemy's) court as a hostage at a very young age. He was ruthless when necessary (eliminated Neoptolemus with whom he shared the throne of Epircus, initially) but was generally a fair person (confirming first that Neoptolemus was conspiring against him). He was most particular about returning favors and kindness to his friends. Plutarch narrates that when his friend Aeropus, who had done him a favor, died before Pyrrhus could return him the favor -- not being able to return the favor grieved him more than the death of his friend. He also had a sense of humor and was a generous person: he once asked some men if they had made remarks about him at a drinking party. They admitted and said that they would have said more about him if they had more wine -- Pyrrhus laughed and let them go. However, Pyrrhus' greatest character flaw was that he lost interest in most things after starting them and moved on to the next before consolidating his gains. In this way, he lost whatever he had won previously by prematurely going on to the next adventure....
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