Topic summary
Pyrrhus's invasion of the Peloponnese
Macedonia (Aeacid)
Argive democratic faction
Sparta
Messene
Argive oligarchic faction
Ptolemy†
Areus I
Acrotatus
25,000 infantry
2,000 cavalry
24 war elephants
In 272 BC, Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, invaded the Peloponnese in south Greece. He was opposed by Antigonus Gonatas and a coalition of Greekcity-states (poleis), most notably Sparta. The war ended in a joint victory by Antigonus and Sparta.
After being defeated by the Roman Republic in the Pyrrhic War in 275 BC, Pyrrhus (r. 297–272 BC) decided to turn his attention to Greece. He declared war on Antigonus Gonatas (r. 283–239 BC) of Macedon and in a rapid campaign, managed to defeat him and make himself king of Macedon. In 272 BC, Pyrrhus agreed to assist the disgruntled Spartanprince, Cleonymus, who requested his assistance in securing the Spartan throne.
Pyrrhus advanced with his army through central Greece and upon reaching the Peloponnese, he marched against Sparta. The city was sparsely defended at the time as the majority of its army had been taken to Crete by KingAreus I (r. 309–265 BC). The Spartans led by Crown PrinceAcrotatus were able to withstand a series of Epiriote assaults until Macedonian reinforcements and Areus's army arrived to relieve the defenders.
Following the arrival of the relieving force, Pyrrhus lifted the siege and prepared to winter in Laconia. However, he was approached by an Argive citizen who requested his assistance in overthrowing the government of Argos. Seeking to take advantage of the opportunity, Pyrrhus took his army to Argos, being harried along the way by the Spartans. Whilst attempting to seize Argos by night, Pyrrhus was set upon by his Argive opponents as well as the Spartans and Antigonus's Macedonians. In the ensuing mêlée, Pyrrhus was slain. His death prompted the capitulation of his army and the reestablishment of a Macedonian hegemony over Greece.