The armies again met in 279 on the plain of ASCULUM, in Apulia; but
though the Romans were defeated, it was only another of those Pyrrhic
victories which were almost as disastrous as defeat.

The same year Pyrrhus retired to Sicily to defend Syracuse against the
Carthaginians, who were allied to the Romans. He remained on the
island three years. Upon his return to Italy he met the Romans for the
last time in 274, near BENEVENTUM, where he was defeated by the Consul
MANIUS CURIOUS DENTÁTUS. The Romans had by this time become accustomed
to the elephants, and used burning arrows against them. The wounded
beasts became furious and unmanageable, and threw the army into
disorder. With this battle ended the career of Pyrrhus in Italy. He
returned home, and two years later was accidentally killed by a woman
at Argos.

The departure of Pyrrhus left all Italy at the mercy of Rome. Two
years later, in 272, the garrison at Tarentum surrendered, the city
walls were demolished, and the fleet given up.




CHAPTER XI.

DIVISIONS OF THE ROMAN TERRITORY.--NOTED MEN OF THE PERIOD.


Rome was now mistress of all Italy south of the Arnus and Aesis. This
country was divided into two parts.