King of Misfortune: The Life of Pyrrhus

Pyrrhus of Epirus was one of the most talented commanders of the ancient world, admired by his contemporaries and later remembered for victories that proved too costly to secure lasting success.

King of Misfortune: The Life of Pyrrhus presents a clear and accessible account of his career, tracing his rise as a Hellenistic ruler, his campaigns in Greece, Italy, and Sicily, and the pattern of short-lived triumphs that gave rise to the term "Pyrrhic victory."

The book places Pyrrhus within the political and military setting of the Hellenistic age, outlining the fragile kingdoms that emerged after Alexander the Great and the constant rivalry between successors for territory and influence. It follows Pyrrhus's efforts to build a durable realm and examines why his achievements repeatedly failed to translate into long-term stability.

Written for general readers, this concise biography is suitable for those interested in:

•the Hellenistic world after Alexander
•ancient Greek and early Roman history
•military leadership and strategy
•notable figures of classical antiquity

Balanced and straightforward in approach, this book offers an introduction to one of antiquity's most fascinating and contradictory rulers and the career that made his name synonymous with costly victory.