The naval Battle of Thurii[1] was fought between Ancient Rome and the Greek colony of Tarentum[2]

Following the battle, Tarentum appealed to Pyrrhus, ruler of Epirus, for military aid.[1][3] Motivated by his diplomatic obligations to Tarentum, and a personal desire for military accomplishment, Pyrrhus landed a Greek army of some 25,000 men[1] and a contingent of war elephants[1] on Italian soil in 280 BC,[4] where his forces were joined by the Greeks and a portion of the Samnites who revolted against Roman control.

The battle

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The Romans had 30,000 men against the small 10,000 men of Tarentum who fought bravely but were overwhelmed by the Romans numbers and the effectiveness of the Roman legion.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d History Of Rome P78
  2. ^ The Classical World, p. 294
  3. ^ Antiquity, p. 151
  4. ^ The Classical World, p. 304

39°53′6″N 17°16′37″E / 39.88500°N 17.27694°E / 39.88500; 17.27694