Language … Pyrrhic Victory

Such a victory is one which inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat.  A synonym for “Pyrrhic” is “worthless” or “hollow”.

The phrase originates from Pyrrhus, a Greek king and statesman of the Hellenistic period.   Pyrrhus was born in 318BC and died in 272BC.  He was king of Epirus, and was one of the strongest, and most successful opponents of early Rome.  He is regarded as one of the greatest generals of antiquity.

The army of Pyrrhus defeated the Romans at the Battle of Heraclea in 280BC and at the Battle of Asculum in 279BC.  In the latter battle the Romans lost 6,000 men and Pyrrhus 3,500 including most of his officers.  There is attributed to Pyrrhus, following his victory at Asculum, the statement that has led to the use of the phrase “Pyrrhic victory” in modern idiom:  “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined”.

An example of modern usage is this: 

“The defendant was successful in striking out the plaintiff’s statement of claim on various grounds, but so much was a Pyrrhic victory because the repleading of the case by the plaintiff well placed it to succeed in the litigation”.