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His [Pyrrhus’] being wounded in the head with a sword, and retiring a little out of the fight, much increased their [the Romans’] confidence, and one of them advancing a good way before the rest, large of body and in bright armour, with an haughty voice challenged him to come forth if he were alive.

Pyrrhus, in great anger, broke away violently from his guards, and, in his fury, besmeared with blood, terrible to look upon, made his way through his own men, and struck the barbarian on the head with his sword such a blow, as with the strength of his arm, and the excellent temper of the weapon, passed downward so far that his body being cut asunder fell in two pieces. This stopped the course of the barbarians, amazed and confounded at Pyrrhus, as one more than man.


tl;dr:

Pyrrhus retires from the field of battle after suffering a head wound. One Roman advances and yells out a challenge. Pyrrhus, already a little pissed off, turns back and literally cuts the guy in half. Jaws drop to the floor.


Source:

Plutarch, John Dryden, and Arthur Hugh Clough. "Pyrrhus." Plutarch's Lives. New York: Modern Library, 2001. 539. Print.


Further Reading:

Πύρρος (Pyrrhus of Epirus)


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>His [**Pyrrhus’**] being wounded in the head with a sword, and retiring a little out of the fight, much increased their [**the Romans’**] confidence, and one of them advancing a good way before the rest, large of body and in bright armour, with an haughty voice challenged him to come forth if he were alive. >[Pyrrhus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Pyrrhus_MAN_Napoli_Inv6150_n03.jpg), in great anger, broke away violently from his guards, and, in his fury, besmeared with blood, terrible to look upon, made his way through his own men, and struck the barbarian on the head with his sword such a blow, as with the strength of his arm, and the excellent temper of the weapon, passed downward so far that his body being cut asunder fell in two pieces. This stopped the course of the barbarians, amazed and confounded at Pyrrhus, as one more than man. ___________________________ **tl;dr:** Pyrrhus retires from the field of battle after suffering a head wound. One Roman advances and yells out a challenge. Pyrrhus, already a little pissed off, turns back and *literally cuts the guy in half*. Jaws drop to the floor. ___________________________ **Source:** Plutarch, John Dryden, and Arthur Hugh Clough. "Pyrrhus." *Plutarch's Lives*. New York: Modern Library, 2001. 539. Print. ___________________________ **Further Reading:** [Πύρρος (Pyrrhus of Epirus)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhus_of_Epirus) ___________________________ **If you enjoy this type of content, please consider donating to my [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/HistoryLockeBox)!**

1 comments

[–] [Deleted] 1 points (+1|-0)

Not what one typically associates with a Pyrrhic victory.

:-)