Math Athens, bearing the
following
inscription –
i.
i.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - c
xiv.
18, p.
763), mentioned some torch-bearers,
where he made the statue of Aesculapius now tolerably well executed, painted by him in the
referred to, and (in conjunction with other artists) gymnasium of his native town (Diog. Laërt. ix.
the battle groups mentioned by Pliny.
62, comp. 61 ; Aristocl. hc. ; Lucian, bis Acus.
The statue of Asclepius appears to have been 25). He is then said to have been attracted to
one of the chief types of the god. The type is philosophy by the books of Democritus (Aristocl.
probably that which is seen on the coins of Per-i. c. ; comp. Diog. Laërt. ix. 69), to have attended
gamus, and in several existing statues, as for the lectures of Bryson, a disciple of Stilpon, to
.
## p. 609 (#625) ############################################
PYRRHON.
609
PYRRHUS.
have attached himself closely to Anaxarchus, a tosthenes, comp. c. 64) and expressions (ib. 64),
disciple of the Democritean Metrodorus, and with but also by the way in which Timon expressed
him to have joined the expedition of Alexander himself with respect to the moral (Sext. Emp. aur.
the Great (Diog. Laërt. U. cc. ix. 63; Suid. s. v. Math. x. 1), and by the respect which the Pyr-
Aristocles describes Anaxarchus as his teacher, l. c. ), rhonians cherished for Socrates (ib. 2 ; comp. Cic.
and on the expedition to have become acquainted de Orat. iii. 17). The conjecture is not improbable
with the Magians and the Indian gymnosophists. that Pyrrhon regarded the great Athenians as his
That his sceptical theories originated in his inter- pattern. The statement that the Athenians con-
course with them was asserted by Ascanius of ferred upon Pyrrhon the rights of citizenship sounds
Abdera (a writer with whom we are otherwise un- suspicious on account of the reason which is ap-
acquainted), probably without any reason (Diog. pended, for according to the unanimous testimony
Laërt. ix. 61). It is more likely that he derived of the ancients, Python, the disciple of Plato, had
from them his endeavours after ini perturbable equa- slain the Thracian Cotus (Diog. Inërt. ix. 65, ib.
nimity, and entire independence of all external Menage) ; it probably rests upon some gloss.
circumstances, and the resistance of that mobility No books written by Pyrrhon are quoted (comp.
which is said to have been natural to him (ib. 62, Aristocl. 1. c. p. 763, c. ), except a poem addressed
63, comp. 66, 68 ; Timon, ibid. c. 65). It is mani- to Alexander, which was rewarded by the latter in
fest, however, that his biographer Antigonus had so royal a manner (Sext. Emp. adv. Math. i. 282 ;
already invented fables about him. (Diog. Laërt. Pluto de Alex. Fortuna, i. 10), that the statements
1. c. ; Aristocl. ap. Euseb. p. 763 ; Plut. de Prof. respecting the poverty of the philosopher's mode of
in Virt. c. 9. ) A balf insane man, such as he de life are not easily reconcilable with it. We have
picts him, the Eleans assuredly would never have no mention of the year either of the birth or of the
chosen as high priest (Diog. Laërt. ix. 64; comp. death of Pyrrhon, but only that he reached the age
llesych. Miles. p. 50, ed. Orell. ); and Aeneside of 90 years (Diog. Laërt. ix. 62); nor do we learn
mus, to confute such stories, had already maintained how old he was when he took part in Alexander's
that Pyrrhon had indeed in philosophising refrained expedition. But Arcesilas, who in his turn was late
from decision, but that in action he by no means enough to be quoted by Timon, is said to have
blindly abandoned himself to be the sport of cir- been one of his associates (winnkads núppwvi.
cumstances. (Diog. Laërt. ix. 64. ) The young Numen. in Euseb. Praep. Evang. xii. 6). Among
Nausiphanes (probably a later contemporary of the disciples of Pyrrhon, besides those already men-
Epicurus) Pyrrhon won over, not indeed to his tioned, were also Eurylochus, Phiro the Athenian,
doctrine, but to his disposition (Olágeois), to which and Hecataeus of Abdera. (Diog. Laërt. ix. 68,
Epicurus also could not refuse a lively recognition. 69 ; comp. Lucian, Vib. Auct. 27. ) The Eleans
(Diog. Laërt. ix. 64. ) Pyrrhon's disciple Timon, honoured the memory of their philosophical coun.
who, in his Pythor, had detailed long conversations tryman even after his death. Pausanins saw his
which he had with Pyrrhon (Aristocl. 1. c. p. 761 ; likeness (a bust or statue) in a stoa by the agora of
comp. Diog. Laërt. ix. 67), extolled with admira- Elis, and a monument dedicated to him outside the
tion his divine repose of soul, his independence of city (vi. 24, $ 5).
(Ch. A. B. ]
all the shackles of external relations, and of all de PYRRHON, artists. Besides the celebrated
ception and sophistical obscurity. He compared philosopher of Elis, who was also distinguished as a
him to the imperturbable sun-god, who hangs aloft painter, there was an Ephesian sculptor, the son of
over the earth" (ib. 65, comp. 67 ; Sext. Emp. adv. Hecatoleos, whose name occurs on an inscription
Math. i. 305; Aristocl. ap. Euseb. l. c. p. 761, as the maker of a statue of honour, of the Roman
&c. ). What progress he had made in laying a age. (Böckh, Corp. Inscr. , No. 2987 ; R. Rochette,
scientific foundation for his scepsis cannot be de- Lettre à M. Schorn, p. 395, 2d edit. ) [P. S. ]
termined with accuracy, but it is probable that PYRRHUS, mythological. (NEOPTOLEMUS. ]
Timon, who, as it appears, was more a poet than a PYRRHUS, artists. 1. An architect, of un-
philosopher (TIMON), was indebted to him for the known age, who, with his sons Lacrates and Her-
essential features of the reasons for doubt which mon, built the treasury of the Epidamnians at
were developed by him. Just as later sceptice saw Olympia. (Paus. vi. 19. § 5. 8. 8. ).
the beginnings of their doctrines in the expressions 2. A statuary, who is mentioned in the list of
of the poets and most ancient philosophers on the Pliny as the maker of bronze statues of Hygia
insufficiency of human knowledge and the uncer- and Minerva. (H. N. xxxiv. 8. 8. 19. $ 20. ) Pliny
tainty of life, so Pyrrhon also interpreted lines of tells us nothing more of the artist ; but, in the
his favourite poet Homer in the sceptical sense. year 1840, a base was found in the Acropolis at
(Diog. Laërt, ix. 67 ; comp. Sext. Emp. adv.
Math Athens, bearing the following inscription –
i. 272, 281. ) That dogmatic convictions lay at the
AOENAIOITEIA O ENA IAITEITSIEIAI
foundation of the scepticism of Pyrrhon, was main-
ΠΥΡΡΟΣΕΠΟΙΗΣΕΝΑΘΕΝΑΙΟΣ,
tained only by Numenius. (Diog. Laërt. ix. 68. )
Still more groundless, without doubt, is the state and near it were the remains of another base. It
ment of the Abderite Ascanius, that Pyrrhon can scarcely be doubted that these bases belonged
would recognise neither Beautiful nor Ugly, Right to the statues of Hygieia, the daughter of Ascle-
nor Wrong, and maintained that as nothing is ac- pius, and of Athena surnamed Hygieia, which
cording to truth, so the actions of men are deter- Pausanias mentions (i. 24. § 4. s. 5) as among the
mined only by law and custom. (Diog. Laërt. ix. most remarkable works of art in the Acropolis, and
61; comp. Aristocl. ap. Euseb. I. c. p. 761. ) That, as standing in the very place where these bases
on the contrary, he left the validity of moral re- were found ; and further, that the statues are the
quirements unassailed, and directed his endeavours same as those referred to by Pliny ; and that his
to the production of a moral state of disposition, is Pyrrhus is the same as Pyrrhus the Athenian, who
attested not only by individual, well-authenticated is mentioned in the above inscription as the maker
traits of character (Diog. Laërt. ix. 66, aſter Era- 1 of the statue of Athena Hygieia, which was de
!
1
VOL. III.
RR
## p. 610 (#626) ############################################
610
PYRRHUS.
PYRRHUS.
:
dicated by the Athenians. The letters of the in- still only seventeen years of age, joined Demetrius,
scription evidently belong to about the period of who had married his sister Deïdameia, accompanied
the Peloponnesian war. (Ross, in the Kunstblatt, i him to Asia, and was present at the battle of Ipsus,
1840, No. 37 ; Schöll, Archäol. Mittheil, aus B. C. 301, in which he gained great renown for his
Griechenland, p. 126 ; R. Rochette, Lettre à M. valour. Though so young, he bore down for a
Schorn, pp. 396, 397, 2d ed. ) Raoul-Rochette time every thing before him with that impetuous
makes the very ingenious suggestion that the courage, which always distinguished him in his
statue of Athena Hygieia by Pyrrhus should be subsequent engagements. But his efforts could not
identified with that statue which was dedicated by restore the day, and he was obliged to fly from the
Pericles to the goddess in gratitude for the recovery field. Antigonus fell in the battle, and Demetrius
of his favourite Mnesicles from the injuries re became a fugitive ; but Pyrrhus did not desert his
ceived by a fall during the building of the Pro- brother-in-law in his misfortunes, and shortly after-
pylaea. (MNESICLES. ] Be this as it may, it is wards went for him as a hostage into Egypt, when
clear that Pyrrhus was an eminent artist of the Demetrius concluded a peace with Ptolemy. Here
Athenian school at the middle of the fifth cen- Pyrrhus was fortunate enough to win the favour of
tury, B. C.
Berenice, the wife of Ptolemy, and received in
3. Agathobulus F. L. Pyrrhus, a Greek freed marriage Antigone, her daughter by her first hus
man of the Roman era, whose name occurs in an band. Ptolemy now supplied him with a fleet
inscription found at Pesaro, as Figulus Sigillator, and men, and he was thus once more able to return
that is, a maker of the small terra-cotta images to Epeirus. Neoptolemus, probably the son of
called sigilla. (Orelli, Inscr. Lat. Select. No. 4191; Alexander who died in Italy, had reigned from the
R. Rochette, Lettre à M. Schorn, pp. 397, 398, 2d time that Pyrrhus had been driven from the king-
ed. )
[P. S. ] dom ; but as he had made himself unpopular by
PYRRHUS (Túpsos), king of Epeirus, born his harsh and tyrannical rule, Pyrrhus found many
about the year B. C. 318, was the son of Aeacides partisans. The two rivals consented to a compromise
and Phthia, the daughter of Menon of Pharsalus, a and agreed to share the sovereignty between them.
distinguished leader in the struggle between Mace But such an arrangement could not last long; and
donia and Greece after the death of Alexander, Pyrrhus anticipated his own destruction by putting
usually called the Lamian war. The ancestors of his rival to death. This appears to have happened
Pyrrhus claimed descent from Pyrrhus, the son of in B. c. 295, in which year Pyrrhus is said to have
Achilles, who was said to have settled in Epeirus begun to reign (Vell. Pat. i. 14. & 6); and as Cas.
after the Trojan war, and to have become the sander did not die till the end of B. C. 297, the
founder of the race of Molossian kings. His father joint sovereignty of Pyrrhus and Neoptolemus
had succeeded to the throne on the death of his could have lasted only a short time, as it is impro-
cousin Alexander, who was slain in Italy in B. C. bable that Pyrrhus ventured to return to his native
326. Alexander was the brother of Olympias, country during the life-time of his great enemy
the wife of Philip and the mother of Alexander the Cassander.
Great ; and it was this connection with the royal Pyrrhus was twenty-three years of age when he
family of Macedonia, which brought misfortune was firmly established on the throne of Epeirus
upon the early years of Pyrrhus. His father (B. C. 295), and he soon became one of the most
Aeacides had taken part with his relative Olympias, popular princes of his age. His daring courage
and had marched into Macedonia to support her made him a favourite with his troops, and his affa-
against Cassander ; but when the latter proved bility and generosity secured the love of his people.
victorious, and Aeacides and Olympias were obliged His character resembled in many respects that of
to take to flight, the Epeirots, who disliked their his great kinsman, the conqueror of Persia ; and
king and were unwilling to be any longer involved he seems at an early age to have made Alexander
in war with Cassander, met in a general assembly, his model, and to have been fired with the ambition
and deprived Aeacides of the throne. Aeacides of imitating his exploits and treading in his footsteps.
himself was out of the way ; but many of his His eyes were first directed to the conquest of Ma-
friends were put to death, and Pyrrhus, who was cedonia. Master of that country, he might hope to
then a child of only two years old, was with diffi- obtain the sovereignty of Greece ; and with the
culty saved from destruction by the faithful ad- whole of Greece under his sway, there was a bound-
herents of the king. They escape:] with the child less prospect for his ambition, terminating on the
to Glaucias, the king of the Taulantians, an Illyrian one side with the conquest of Italy, Sicily, and
people, who afforded him protection, and nobly Carthage, and on the other with the dominions of
refused to surrender him to Cassander. Aeacides the Greek monarchs in the East. The unsettled
died soon afterwards in battle, and Pyrrhus was state of Macedonia after the death of Cassander.
brought up by Glaucias along with his own children. soon placed the first object of his ambition within
About ten years afterwards, when Demetrius had his grasp. Antipater and Alexander, the sons of
shaken the power of Cassander in Greece, Glaucias Cassander, quarrelled for the inheritance of their
restored Pyrrhus to the throne ; but as he was then father ; and Alexander, unable to maintain his
only twelve years old, the kingdom was governed ground, applied to Pyrrhus for assistance. This
by guardians. But Pyrrhus did not long remain was granted on condition of Alexander's ceding to
in possession of his hereditary dominions. Deme Pyrrhus the whole of the Macedonian dominions
trius was obliged to abandon Greece, in order to on the western side of Greece. These were Acar-
cross over to Asia to the assistance of his father, nania, Amphilochia, and Ambracia, and likewise
Antigonus, who was menaced by the united forces the districts of Tymphaea and Parauaea, which
of Cassander, Ptolemy, Seleucus, and Lysimachus; formed part of Macedonia itself. (Plut. Pyrrh. 6,
and as Cassander had now regained his supremacy with the emendation of Niebuhr, Hist. of Rome,
in Greece, he prevailed upon the Epeirots to expel vol. iii. note 311, Napavalay instead of Olapaxlav. )
their young king a second time. Pyrrhus, who was | Pyrrhus fulfilled his engagements to Alexander
## p. 611 (#627) ############################################
PYRRHUS.
611
PYRRHUS.
and drovė his brother Antipater out of Macedonia, / who brought him the island of Corcym ns a dowry
B. C. 294, though it appears that the latter was But Lanassa, offended with the attention which
subsequently allowed to retain a small portion of Pyrrhus paid to his barbarian wives, had with-
the country. (Thirlwall's Greece, vol. viii. p. 16. ) drawn to her principality of Corcyra, which she
• Pyrrhus had greatly increased his power by the now bestowed upon Demetrius together with her
large accession of territory which he had thus hand. Pyrrhus accordingly returned to Epeirus
gained, and he still further strengthened himself by more incensed than ever against Demetrius The
forming an alliance with the Aetolians ; but the latter had previously withdrawn into Macedonia.
rest of Macedonia unexpectedly fell into the hands At the beginning of the following year, B. C. 288,
of a powerful neighbour. Alexander had applied Pyrrhus took advantage of a dangerous illness of
to Demetrius for assistance at the same time as he Demetrius to invade Macedonia. He advanced as
sent to Pyrrhus for the same purpose ; but as the far as Edessa without meeting with any opposition ;
latter was the nearest at hand, he had restored but when Demetrius was able to put himself at
Alexander to his kingdom before Demetrius could the head of his troops, ho drove his rival out of the
arrive at the scene of action. Demetrius, however, country without difficulty. But as he had now
was unwilling to lose such an opportunity of ag- formed the vast design of recovering the whole of
grandizement ; he' accordingly left Athens, and his father's dominions in Asia, he hastened to con-
reached Macedonia towards the end of the year clude a peace with Pyrrhus, in order to continuo
B. C. 294. He had not been there many days be his preparations undisturbed. His old enemies,
fore he put Alexander to death, and thus became Seleucus, Ptolemy, and Lysimachus, once more
king of Macedonia. Between two such powerful entered into a league against him, and resolved to
neighbours and such restless spirits, as Demetrius crush him in Europe before he had time to cross
and Pyrrhus, jealousies and contentions were sure over into Asia. They easily persuaded Pyrrhus to
to arise. Each was anxious for the dominions of break his recent treaty with Demetrius, and join
the other, and the two former friends soon became the coalition against him. Accordingly, in the
the most deadly enemies. Deïdameia, who might spring of B. C. 287, while Ptolemy appeared with a
have acted as a mediator between her husband and powerful fleet off the coasts of Greece, Lysimachus
her brother, was now dead. The jealousies between invaded the upper and Pyrrhus the lower provinces
the two rivals at length broke out into open war of Macedonia at the same time. Demetriun first
in B. C. 291. It was during this year that Thebes marched against Lysimachus, but alarmed at the
revolted a second time against Demetrius, probably growing disaffection of his troops, and fearing that
at the instigation of Pyrrhus; and while the Ma- they might go over to Lysimachus, who had been
cedonian monarch proceeded in person to chastise one of the veteran generals and companions of Alex-
the rebellious inhabitants, Pyrrhus effected a diver- ander, he suddenly retraced his steps and proceeded
sion in their favour by invading Thessaly, but was against Pyrrhus, who had already advanced as far
compelled to retire into Epeirus before the superior as Beroea and had taken up his quarters in that city.
forces of Demetrius. In B. C. 290 Thebes surren- But Pyrrhus proved a rival as formidable as Lysi-
dered, and Demetrius was thus at liberty to take machus. The kindness with which he had treated
vengeance on Pyrrhus and his Aetolian allies. Ac- his prisoners, and his condescension and affability
cordingly, he invaded Aetolia in the spring of B. C. to the inhabitants of Beroea, had won all hearts;
289, and after overrunning and ravaging the country and accordingly, when Demetrius drew near, his
almost without opposition, he marched into Epeirus, troops deserted him in a body and transferred
leaving Pantauchus with a strong body of his troops their allegiance to Pyrrhus. Demetrius was obliged
to keep the Aetolians in subjection. Pyrrhus ad- to fly in disguise, and leave the kingdom to his
vanced to meet him ; but as the two armies took dif- rival. Pyrrhus, however, was unable to obtain
ferent roads, Demetrius entered Epeirus and Pyrrhus possession of the whole of Macedonia: Lysima-
Aetolia almost at the same time. Pantauchus im- chus claimed his share of the spoil, and the king-
mediately offered him battle, in the midst of which dom was divided between them. But Pyrrhus
he challenged the king to single combat. This was did not long retain his portion ; the Macedonians
immediately accepted by the youthful monarch ; preferred the rule of their old general Lysimachus ;
and in the conflict which ensued, Pyrrhus bore his and Pyrrhus was accordingly driven out of his
enemy to the ground, and would have killed him newly acquired kingdom ; thus leaving Lysimachus
on the spot, had he not been rescued by his friends. master of the entire country. It is doubtful
The Macedonians, dismayed by the fall of their how long Pyrrhus reigned in Macedonia. Dexip-
leader, took to flight and left Pyrrhus master of pus and Porphyry (apud Euseb. Arm. p. 329, ed.
the field. This victory, however, was attended Aucher ; apud Syncell. p. 266, a. ) state that it was
with more important advantages than its immediate only seven months, which would place the expul-
fruits. The impetuous movements and daring sion of Pyrrhus at the end of B. C. 287, or the
valour of the Epeirot king reminded the veterans beginning of 286; but as other writers relate
in the Macedonian army of the great Alexander, (Plut. Pyrr. 12; Paus. i. 10. § 2) that this hap-
and thus paved for Pyrrhus his accession to the pened after the defeat of Demetrius in Syria, which
Macedonian throne. Demetrius meantime had did not take place till the middle of 286, the reign
found no one to resist him in Epeirus, and during of Pyrrhus in Macedonia was probably somewhat
his expedition into this country he also obtained longer. (Comp. Niebuhr, Hist. of Rome, vol. iii.
possession of Corcyra. After the death of Antigone, note 813. )
Pyrrhus, in accordance with the custom of the For the next few years Pyrrhus appears to have
monarchs of his age, had married three wives, in reigned quietly in Epeirus without embarking in
order to strengthen his power by a close connection any new enterprize. "But a life of inactivity was
with foreign princes of these wives one was a insupportable to him, and he pined for fresh scenes
Paeonian princess, another an Illyrian, and a third of action in which he might gain glory and ac-
Lanassa, the daughter of Agathocles of Syracuse, 1 quire dominion. At lengtă, in B. c. 281, the long
!
RR 2
## p. 612 (#628) ############################################
612
PYRRHUS.
PYRRHUS.
wished for opportunity presented itself. The Ta. I own business and retire to Epeirus. Fearing to
rentines, against whom the Romans had declared remain inactive any longer, although he was not yet
war, sent an embassy to Pyrrhus in the summer joined by his allies, Pyrrhus marched out against
of this year, begging him in the name of all the the Romans with his own troops and the Taren-
Italian Greeks to cross over to Italy in order to tines.
where he made the statue of Aesculapius now tolerably well executed, painted by him in the
referred to, and (in conjunction with other artists) gymnasium of his native town (Diog. Laërt. ix.
the battle groups mentioned by Pliny.
62, comp. 61 ; Aristocl. hc. ; Lucian, bis Acus.
The statue of Asclepius appears to have been 25). He is then said to have been attracted to
one of the chief types of the god. The type is philosophy by the books of Democritus (Aristocl.
probably that which is seen on the coins of Per-i. c. ; comp. Diog. Laërt. ix. 69), to have attended
gamus, and in several existing statues, as for the lectures of Bryson, a disciple of Stilpon, to
.
## p. 609 (#625) ############################################
PYRRHON.
609
PYRRHUS.
have attached himself closely to Anaxarchus, a tosthenes, comp. c. 64) and expressions (ib. 64),
disciple of the Democritean Metrodorus, and with but also by the way in which Timon expressed
him to have joined the expedition of Alexander himself with respect to the moral (Sext. Emp. aur.
the Great (Diog. Laërt. U. cc. ix. 63; Suid. s. v. Math. x. 1), and by the respect which the Pyr-
Aristocles describes Anaxarchus as his teacher, l. c. ), rhonians cherished for Socrates (ib. 2 ; comp. Cic.
and on the expedition to have become acquainted de Orat. iii. 17). The conjecture is not improbable
with the Magians and the Indian gymnosophists. that Pyrrhon regarded the great Athenians as his
That his sceptical theories originated in his inter- pattern. The statement that the Athenians con-
course with them was asserted by Ascanius of ferred upon Pyrrhon the rights of citizenship sounds
Abdera (a writer with whom we are otherwise un- suspicious on account of the reason which is ap-
acquainted), probably without any reason (Diog. pended, for according to the unanimous testimony
Laërt. ix. 61). It is more likely that he derived of the ancients, Python, the disciple of Plato, had
from them his endeavours after ini perturbable equa- slain the Thracian Cotus (Diog. Inërt. ix. 65, ib.
nimity, and entire independence of all external Menage) ; it probably rests upon some gloss.
circumstances, and the resistance of that mobility No books written by Pyrrhon are quoted (comp.
which is said to have been natural to him (ib. 62, Aristocl. 1. c. p. 763, c. ), except a poem addressed
63, comp. 66, 68 ; Timon, ibid. c. 65). It is mani- to Alexander, which was rewarded by the latter in
fest, however, that his biographer Antigonus had so royal a manner (Sext. Emp. adv. Math. i. 282 ;
already invented fables about him. (Diog. Laërt. Pluto de Alex. Fortuna, i. 10), that the statements
1. c. ; Aristocl. ap. Euseb. p. 763 ; Plut. de Prof. respecting the poverty of the philosopher's mode of
in Virt. c. 9. ) A balf insane man, such as he de life are not easily reconcilable with it. We have
picts him, the Eleans assuredly would never have no mention of the year either of the birth or of the
chosen as high priest (Diog. Laërt. ix. 64; comp. death of Pyrrhon, but only that he reached the age
llesych. Miles. p. 50, ed. Orell. ); and Aeneside of 90 years (Diog. Laërt. ix. 62); nor do we learn
mus, to confute such stories, had already maintained how old he was when he took part in Alexander's
that Pyrrhon had indeed in philosophising refrained expedition. But Arcesilas, who in his turn was late
from decision, but that in action he by no means enough to be quoted by Timon, is said to have
blindly abandoned himself to be the sport of cir- been one of his associates (winnkads núppwvi.
cumstances. (Diog. Laërt. ix. 64. ) The young Numen. in Euseb. Praep. Evang. xii. 6). Among
Nausiphanes (probably a later contemporary of the disciples of Pyrrhon, besides those already men-
Epicurus) Pyrrhon won over, not indeed to his tioned, were also Eurylochus, Phiro the Athenian,
doctrine, but to his disposition (Olágeois), to which and Hecataeus of Abdera. (Diog. Laërt. ix. 68,
Epicurus also could not refuse a lively recognition. 69 ; comp. Lucian, Vib. Auct. 27. ) The Eleans
(Diog. Laërt. ix. 64. ) Pyrrhon's disciple Timon, honoured the memory of their philosophical coun.
who, in his Pythor, had detailed long conversations tryman even after his death. Pausanins saw his
which he had with Pyrrhon (Aristocl. 1. c. p. 761 ; likeness (a bust or statue) in a stoa by the agora of
comp. Diog. Laërt. ix. 67), extolled with admira- Elis, and a monument dedicated to him outside the
tion his divine repose of soul, his independence of city (vi. 24, $ 5).
(Ch. A. B. ]
all the shackles of external relations, and of all de PYRRHON, artists. Besides the celebrated
ception and sophistical obscurity. He compared philosopher of Elis, who was also distinguished as a
him to the imperturbable sun-god, who hangs aloft painter, there was an Ephesian sculptor, the son of
over the earth" (ib. 65, comp. 67 ; Sext. Emp. adv. Hecatoleos, whose name occurs on an inscription
Math. i. 305; Aristocl. ap. Euseb. l. c. p. 761, as the maker of a statue of honour, of the Roman
&c. ). What progress he had made in laying a age. (Böckh, Corp. Inscr. , No. 2987 ; R. Rochette,
scientific foundation for his scepsis cannot be de- Lettre à M. Schorn, p. 395, 2d edit. ) [P. S. ]
termined with accuracy, but it is probable that PYRRHUS, mythological. (NEOPTOLEMUS. ]
Timon, who, as it appears, was more a poet than a PYRRHUS, artists. 1. An architect, of un-
philosopher (TIMON), was indebted to him for the known age, who, with his sons Lacrates and Her-
essential features of the reasons for doubt which mon, built the treasury of the Epidamnians at
were developed by him. Just as later sceptice saw Olympia. (Paus. vi. 19. § 5. 8. 8. ).
the beginnings of their doctrines in the expressions 2. A statuary, who is mentioned in the list of
of the poets and most ancient philosophers on the Pliny as the maker of bronze statues of Hygia
insufficiency of human knowledge and the uncer- and Minerva. (H. N. xxxiv. 8. 8. 19. $ 20. ) Pliny
tainty of life, so Pyrrhon also interpreted lines of tells us nothing more of the artist ; but, in the
his favourite poet Homer in the sceptical sense. year 1840, a base was found in the Acropolis at
(Diog. Laërt, ix. 67 ; comp. Sext. Emp. adv.
Math Athens, bearing the following inscription –
i. 272, 281. ) That dogmatic convictions lay at the
AOENAIOITEIA O ENA IAITEITSIEIAI
foundation of the scepticism of Pyrrhon, was main-
ΠΥΡΡΟΣΕΠΟΙΗΣΕΝΑΘΕΝΑΙΟΣ,
tained only by Numenius. (Diog. Laërt. ix. 68. )
Still more groundless, without doubt, is the state and near it were the remains of another base. It
ment of the Abderite Ascanius, that Pyrrhon can scarcely be doubted that these bases belonged
would recognise neither Beautiful nor Ugly, Right to the statues of Hygieia, the daughter of Ascle-
nor Wrong, and maintained that as nothing is ac- pius, and of Athena surnamed Hygieia, which
cording to truth, so the actions of men are deter- Pausanias mentions (i. 24. § 4. s. 5) as among the
mined only by law and custom. (Diog. Laërt. ix. most remarkable works of art in the Acropolis, and
61; comp. Aristocl. ap. Euseb. I. c. p. 761. ) That, as standing in the very place where these bases
on the contrary, he left the validity of moral re- were found ; and further, that the statues are the
quirements unassailed, and directed his endeavours same as those referred to by Pliny ; and that his
to the production of a moral state of disposition, is Pyrrhus is the same as Pyrrhus the Athenian, who
attested not only by individual, well-authenticated is mentioned in the above inscription as the maker
traits of character (Diog. Laërt. ix. 66, aſter Era- 1 of the statue of Athena Hygieia, which was de
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:
dicated by the Athenians. The letters of the in- still only seventeen years of age, joined Demetrius,
scription evidently belong to about the period of who had married his sister Deïdameia, accompanied
the Peloponnesian war. (Ross, in the Kunstblatt, i him to Asia, and was present at the battle of Ipsus,
1840, No. 37 ; Schöll, Archäol. Mittheil, aus B. C. 301, in which he gained great renown for his
Griechenland, p. 126 ; R. Rochette, Lettre à M. valour. Though so young, he bore down for a
Schorn, pp. 396, 397, 2d ed. ) Raoul-Rochette time every thing before him with that impetuous
makes the very ingenious suggestion that the courage, which always distinguished him in his
statue of Athena Hygieia by Pyrrhus should be subsequent engagements. But his efforts could not
identified with that statue which was dedicated by restore the day, and he was obliged to fly from the
Pericles to the goddess in gratitude for the recovery field. Antigonus fell in the battle, and Demetrius
of his favourite Mnesicles from the injuries re became a fugitive ; but Pyrrhus did not desert his
ceived by a fall during the building of the Pro- brother-in-law in his misfortunes, and shortly after-
pylaea. (MNESICLES. ] Be this as it may, it is wards went for him as a hostage into Egypt, when
clear that Pyrrhus was an eminent artist of the Demetrius concluded a peace with Ptolemy. Here
Athenian school at the middle of the fifth cen- Pyrrhus was fortunate enough to win the favour of
tury, B. C.
Berenice, the wife of Ptolemy, and received in
3. Agathobulus F. L. Pyrrhus, a Greek freed marriage Antigone, her daughter by her first hus
man of the Roman era, whose name occurs in an band. Ptolemy now supplied him with a fleet
inscription found at Pesaro, as Figulus Sigillator, and men, and he was thus once more able to return
that is, a maker of the small terra-cotta images to Epeirus. Neoptolemus, probably the son of
called sigilla. (Orelli, Inscr. Lat. Select. No. 4191; Alexander who died in Italy, had reigned from the
R. Rochette, Lettre à M. Schorn, pp. 397, 398, 2d time that Pyrrhus had been driven from the king-
ed. )
[P. S. ] dom ; but as he had made himself unpopular by
PYRRHUS (Túpsos), king of Epeirus, born his harsh and tyrannical rule, Pyrrhus found many
about the year B. C. 318, was the son of Aeacides partisans. The two rivals consented to a compromise
and Phthia, the daughter of Menon of Pharsalus, a and agreed to share the sovereignty between them.
distinguished leader in the struggle between Mace But such an arrangement could not last long; and
donia and Greece after the death of Alexander, Pyrrhus anticipated his own destruction by putting
usually called the Lamian war. The ancestors of his rival to death. This appears to have happened
Pyrrhus claimed descent from Pyrrhus, the son of in B. c. 295, in which year Pyrrhus is said to have
Achilles, who was said to have settled in Epeirus begun to reign (Vell. Pat. i. 14. & 6); and as Cas.
after the Trojan war, and to have become the sander did not die till the end of B. C. 297, the
founder of the race of Molossian kings. His father joint sovereignty of Pyrrhus and Neoptolemus
had succeeded to the throne on the death of his could have lasted only a short time, as it is impro-
cousin Alexander, who was slain in Italy in B. C. bable that Pyrrhus ventured to return to his native
326. Alexander was the brother of Olympias, country during the life-time of his great enemy
the wife of Philip and the mother of Alexander the Cassander.
Great ; and it was this connection with the royal Pyrrhus was twenty-three years of age when he
family of Macedonia, which brought misfortune was firmly established on the throne of Epeirus
upon the early years of Pyrrhus. His father (B. C. 295), and he soon became one of the most
Aeacides had taken part with his relative Olympias, popular princes of his age. His daring courage
and had marched into Macedonia to support her made him a favourite with his troops, and his affa-
against Cassander ; but when the latter proved bility and generosity secured the love of his people.
victorious, and Aeacides and Olympias were obliged His character resembled in many respects that of
to take to flight, the Epeirots, who disliked their his great kinsman, the conqueror of Persia ; and
king and were unwilling to be any longer involved he seems at an early age to have made Alexander
in war with Cassander, met in a general assembly, his model, and to have been fired with the ambition
and deprived Aeacides of the throne. Aeacides of imitating his exploits and treading in his footsteps.
himself was out of the way ; but many of his His eyes were first directed to the conquest of Ma-
friends were put to death, and Pyrrhus, who was cedonia. Master of that country, he might hope to
then a child of only two years old, was with diffi- obtain the sovereignty of Greece ; and with the
culty saved from destruction by the faithful ad- whole of Greece under his sway, there was a bound-
herents of the king. They escape:] with the child less prospect for his ambition, terminating on the
to Glaucias, the king of the Taulantians, an Illyrian one side with the conquest of Italy, Sicily, and
people, who afforded him protection, and nobly Carthage, and on the other with the dominions of
refused to surrender him to Cassander. Aeacides the Greek monarchs in the East. The unsettled
died soon afterwards in battle, and Pyrrhus was state of Macedonia after the death of Cassander.
brought up by Glaucias along with his own children. soon placed the first object of his ambition within
About ten years afterwards, when Demetrius had his grasp. Antipater and Alexander, the sons of
shaken the power of Cassander in Greece, Glaucias Cassander, quarrelled for the inheritance of their
restored Pyrrhus to the throne ; but as he was then father ; and Alexander, unable to maintain his
only twelve years old, the kingdom was governed ground, applied to Pyrrhus for assistance. This
by guardians. But Pyrrhus did not long remain was granted on condition of Alexander's ceding to
in possession of his hereditary dominions. Deme Pyrrhus the whole of the Macedonian dominions
trius was obliged to abandon Greece, in order to on the western side of Greece. These were Acar-
cross over to Asia to the assistance of his father, nania, Amphilochia, and Ambracia, and likewise
Antigonus, who was menaced by the united forces the districts of Tymphaea and Parauaea, which
of Cassander, Ptolemy, Seleucus, and Lysimachus; formed part of Macedonia itself. (Plut. Pyrrh. 6,
and as Cassander had now regained his supremacy with the emendation of Niebuhr, Hist. of Rome,
in Greece, he prevailed upon the Epeirots to expel vol. iii. note 311, Napavalay instead of Olapaxlav. )
their young king a second time. Pyrrhus, who was | Pyrrhus fulfilled his engagements to Alexander
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PYRRHUS.
611
PYRRHUS.
and drovė his brother Antipater out of Macedonia, / who brought him the island of Corcym ns a dowry
B. C. 294, though it appears that the latter was But Lanassa, offended with the attention which
subsequently allowed to retain a small portion of Pyrrhus paid to his barbarian wives, had with-
the country. (Thirlwall's Greece, vol. viii. p. 16. ) drawn to her principality of Corcyra, which she
• Pyrrhus had greatly increased his power by the now bestowed upon Demetrius together with her
large accession of territory which he had thus hand. Pyrrhus accordingly returned to Epeirus
gained, and he still further strengthened himself by more incensed than ever against Demetrius The
forming an alliance with the Aetolians ; but the latter had previously withdrawn into Macedonia.
rest of Macedonia unexpectedly fell into the hands At the beginning of the following year, B. C. 288,
of a powerful neighbour. Alexander had applied Pyrrhus took advantage of a dangerous illness of
to Demetrius for assistance at the same time as he Demetrius to invade Macedonia. He advanced as
sent to Pyrrhus for the same purpose ; but as the far as Edessa without meeting with any opposition ;
latter was the nearest at hand, he had restored but when Demetrius was able to put himself at
Alexander to his kingdom before Demetrius could the head of his troops, ho drove his rival out of the
arrive at the scene of action. Demetrius, however, country without difficulty. But as he had now
was unwilling to lose such an opportunity of ag- formed the vast design of recovering the whole of
grandizement ; he' accordingly left Athens, and his father's dominions in Asia, he hastened to con-
reached Macedonia towards the end of the year clude a peace with Pyrrhus, in order to continuo
B. C. 294. He had not been there many days be his preparations undisturbed. His old enemies,
fore he put Alexander to death, and thus became Seleucus, Ptolemy, and Lysimachus, once more
king of Macedonia. Between two such powerful entered into a league against him, and resolved to
neighbours and such restless spirits, as Demetrius crush him in Europe before he had time to cross
and Pyrrhus, jealousies and contentions were sure over into Asia. They easily persuaded Pyrrhus to
to arise. Each was anxious for the dominions of break his recent treaty with Demetrius, and join
the other, and the two former friends soon became the coalition against him. Accordingly, in the
the most deadly enemies. Deïdameia, who might spring of B. C. 287, while Ptolemy appeared with a
have acted as a mediator between her husband and powerful fleet off the coasts of Greece, Lysimachus
her brother, was now dead. The jealousies between invaded the upper and Pyrrhus the lower provinces
the two rivals at length broke out into open war of Macedonia at the same time. Demetriun first
in B. C. 291. It was during this year that Thebes marched against Lysimachus, but alarmed at the
revolted a second time against Demetrius, probably growing disaffection of his troops, and fearing that
at the instigation of Pyrrhus; and while the Ma- they might go over to Lysimachus, who had been
cedonian monarch proceeded in person to chastise one of the veteran generals and companions of Alex-
the rebellious inhabitants, Pyrrhus effected a diver- ander, he suddenly retraced his steps and proceeded
sion in their favour by invading Thessaly, but was against Pyrrhus, who had already advanced as far
compelled to retire into Epeirus before the superior as Beroea and had taken up his quarters in that city.
forces of Demetrius. In B. C. 290 Thebes surren- But Pyrrhus proved a rival as formidable as Lysi-
dered, and Demetrius was thus at liberty to take machus. The kindness with which he had treated
vengeance on Pyrrhus and his Aetolian allies. Ac- his prisoners, and his condescension and affability
cordingly, he invaded Aetolia in the spring of B. C. to the inhabitants of Beroea, had won all hearts;
289, and after overrunning and ravaging the country and accordingly, when Demetrius drew near, his
almost without opposition, he marched into Epeirus, troops deserted him in a body and transferred
leaving Pantauchus with a strong body of his troops their allegiance to Pyrrhus. Demetrius was obliged
to keep the Aetolians in subjection. Pyrrhus ad- to fly in disguise, and leave the kingdom to his
vanced to meet him ; but as the two armies took dif- rival. Pyrrhus, however, was unable to obtain
ferent roads, Demetrius entered Epeirus and Pyrrhus possession of the whole of Macedonia: Lysima-
Aetolia almost at the same time. Pantauchus im- chus claimed his share of the spoil, and the king-
mediately offered him battle, in the midst of which dom was divided between them. But Pyrrhus
he challenged the king to single combat. This was did not long retain his portion ; the Macedonians
immediately accepted by the youthful monarch ; preferred the rule of their old general Lysimachus ;
and in the conflict which ensued, Pyrrhus bore his and Pyrrhus was accordingly driven out of his
enemy to the ground, and would have killed him newly acquired kingdom ; thus leaving Lysimachus
on the spot, had he not been rescued by his friends. master of the entire country. It is doubtful
The Macedonians, dismayed by the fall of their how long Pyrrhus reigned in Macedonia. Dexip-
leader, took to flight and left Pyrrhus master of pus and Porphyry (apud Euseb. Arm. p. 329, ed.
the field. This victory, however, was attended Aucher ; apud Syncell. p. 266, a. ) state that it was
with more important advantages than its immediate only seven months, which would place the expul-
fruits. The impetuous movements and daring sion of Pyrrhus at the end of B. C. 287, or the
valour of the Epeirot king reminded the veterans beginning of 286; but as other writers relate
in the Macedonian army of the great Alexander, (Plut. Pyrr. 12; Paus. i. 10. § 2) that this hap-
and thus paved for Pyrrhus his accession to the pened after the defeat of Demetrius in Syria, which
Macedonian throne. Demetrius meantime had did not take place till the middle of 286, the reign
found no one to resist him in Epeirus, and during of Pyrrhus in Macedonia was probably somewhat
his expedition into this country he also obtained longer. (Comp. Niebuhr, Hist. of Rome, vol. iii.
possession of Corcyra. After the death of Antigone, note 813. )
Pyrrhus, in accordance with the custom of the For the next few years Pyrrhus appears to have
monarchs of his age, had married three wives, in reigned quietly in Epeirus without embarking in
order to strengthen his power by a close connection any new enterprize. "But a life of inactivity was
with foreign princes of these wives one was a insupportable to him, and he pined for fresh scenes
Paeonian princess, another an Illyrian, and a third of action in which he might gain glory and ac-
Lanassa, the daughter of Agathocles of Syracuse, 1 quire dominion. At lengtă, in B. c. 281, the long
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PYRRHUS.
PYRRHUS.
wished for opportunity presented itself. The Ta. I own business and retire to Epeirus. Fearing to
rentines, against whom the Romans had declared remain inactive any longer, although he was not yet
war, sent an embassy to Pyrrhus in the summer joined by his allies, Pyrrhus marched out against
of this year, begging him in the name of all the the Romans with his own troops and the Taren-
Italian Greeks to cross over to Italy in order to tines.
