PYRRHUS AND THE ROMANS.

SEVEN years after the death of Alexander, the
Macedonian conqueror, there was born in Epirus, a
country of Greece, a warrior who might have rivalled
Alexander’s fortune and fame had he, like him,
fought against Persians. But he had the misfor-
tune to fight against Romans, and his story became
different. He was the greatest general of his time.
Hannibal has said that he was the greatest of any
age. But Rome was not Persia, and a Roman army
was not to be dealt with like a Persian horde. Had
Alexander marched west instead of east, he would
probably not have won the title of “Great.”

Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, claimed descent from
Pyrrhus, son of Achilles. While still an infant a
rebellion broke out in Epirus. His father was ab-
sent, and the rebel chiefs sought to kill him, but he
was hurried away in his nurse’s arms, and his life
saved. When he was ten years old, Glaucius, king
of Illyria, who had brought him up among his own
children, conquered Epirus and placed him on the
throne. Seven years afterwards rebellion broke out
again, and Pyrrhus had once more to fly for his life.
He now fought in some great battles, married the
daughter of the king of Egypt, returned with an

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