TO TARENTUM’S AID

In 282 BC, the city state of Tarentum attacked ten Roman ships that had entered the gulf of Taranto without permission. In the following year, the Romans sent a ’diplomatic mission’ to the city to negotiate terms for the release of prisoners. Instead, this mission took control of the city, fighting off the Tarentines and some Samnite allies. In desperation, the Tarentines called for aid from Pyrrhus of Epirus.

By Guy Bowers

As the Tarentines had assisted in his conquest of the island of Corcyra, Pyrrhus felt indebted to them. However, he also saw an opportunity. The conquest of southern Italy could lay the way open to the rich island of Sicily, which in turn could generate the revenues he needed to renew his claim on Macedon. Pyrrhus also speculated he could unite the tribes of Southern Italy against their common enemy, Rome. Pyrrhus landed and assembled his army. He then retook Tarentum, forcing the Romans to flee. Rome reacted swiftly and mobilised four armies. One guarded Rome itself while two moved to block any possible attempts by the Etruscans or Samnites to join the Tarentines. The largest army, under Publius Valerius Laevinus, marched south to meet the Epirote army, plundering Lucania on…

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Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy (Digital) - 1 Issue, WSS 128

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