Re: - Never near Argos -
Book VII, 1-4.
Background:
Pyrrhos and what was left of his army set up camp near Brentesion (Brindisium) for the winter of 263. Manius Cornelius Scipio Asina, the consul who had replaced Blasio (see supra), boldly risked an attack on Pyrrhos’ fortified position. The Epirote sallied out to give battle.
Such bold and risky behaviour was often seen in Roman generals. Their offices only lasted for one year – or in the case of Scipio Asina, less – so the pressure to win an important military victory during this short time was high. Carefully orchestrating a military victory only to be replaced by the new magistrate, who then took all the honour for the victory, was the nightmare of any Roman commander.
The text:
[…]
The Roman consul had under his command the survivors of the army of the Cornelius Blasio, the consul killed by Pyrrhos. They numbered no more than what was left of Pyrrhos army.
When he saw the Epirote preparing for battle he too deployed his troops. This he did not do in the ordinary manner. In stead he put his allied infantry in the centre with his Roman infantry on the wings, not in three rows, but the hastati, principes and triarii all next to each other. His cavalry he kept all in reserve, since Pyrrhos’ cavalry was no longer numerous enough to pose any real threat.
[…]
Pyrrhos soon broke through the Roman centre, but was outflanked by the Roman foot, who turned and attacked. Scipio waited and saw that the Epirote centre was beginning to weaken, because all soldiers had turned their attention to the Romans on the flanks. Then he gave orders to his cavalry and charged personally towards this weak point.
[…]
The Epirote retreated to where Budaros, the Illyrian, lay with his fleet of Liburnes [light warship, often used by pirates]. There he was greeted by 3000 men, volunteering to go wherever he went, because they had lost all in the war against the Romans.
They boarded and set sail to Epeiros.
[…]
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