Pyrrhus landed in the Italian Peninsula

Pyrrhus, the king of Epirus, landed in the Italian peninsula with an army of 25,500 men, including 20 war elephants, seeking to expand his influence in the region. His arrival was prompted by a request for assistance from the city of Tarentum, which was facing threats from Rome. In the initial engagements, Pyrrhus achieved a notable victory at Heraclea, where the Roman cavalry was intimidated by his elephants, leading to a decisive defeat for the Romans. Following this victory, Pyrrhus advanced towards Rome, aiming to capitalize on his momentum. However, the Roman forces quickly regrouped, concluding a peace agreement in the north and redirecting their efforts southward. This strategic maneuver placed Pyrrhus in a precarious position, as he faced the threat of being encircled by two Roman consular armies.