A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Italy for the Italians 369
could no longer endure to stay at
home, but caused his
sons to carry him in a litter through the Forum to the
senate-house.
When he reached the doors of the senatehouse,
his sons and his sons-in-law supported him and
guided him as he entered, while all the assembly observed
a respectful silence.
(He then spoke against the proposal to treat with Pyrrhus
while this Epirot king remained in the peninsula. Italy
for the Italians was the new principle which he set forth.
conclusion he said,) "Do not imagine that you will rid
yourselves of this man by making a treaty with him.
Rather you will encourage other Greek princes to invade
you, for they will despise you and think you an easy prey
to all men, if you let Pyrrhus go home again without paying
the penalty for his outrages upon you, nay with the
power to boast that he has made Rome a laughing-stock
for Taren tines and Samnites!"
By his words Appius roused a warlike spirit in the
Romans, and they dismissed Cineas with the answer that
if Pyrrhus would leave Italy, they would if he wished discuss
the question of alliance with him, but that while ne
remained in arms in their country, the Romans would
In
(Compare
the "Monroe
doctrine.")
fight him to the death. . . .
After spending six years of constant fighting in Italy
and Sicily, Pyrrhus failed. During this time he lost a
great part of his force, but always, even in his defeats, kept
his reputation for invincible bravery. In warlike skill and
personal strength and daring he was thought to be by far
the first prince of his age.
Yet he always threw away the
advantages which he had gained, to follow some chimerical
scheme of further conquest. He was unable to take proper
measures for the present because of his eagerness for the
future.
The failure
of Pyrrhus.
Plutarch,
Pyrrhus, 26.