History of Pyrrhus

by Jacob Abbott

Abraham Lincoln raved that this series of historical biographies gave him "just that knowledge of past men and events which I need. I have read them with the greatest interest. To them I am indebted for about all the historical knowledge I have." Considered what we would now call "young adult" literature, this collection, first published between 1848 and 1871, was designed to present a clear, distinct, connected narrative of the lives of the great figures of world history, those people who have been most influential, at least as American author and educator JACOB ABBOTT (1803-1879) saw it from his 19th-century perspective. Wildly popular and republished many times under different collected names, this replica set mimics the 1904 reprint known as the "Makers of History" series. It will delight students of history as well as show the scholar how history telling has changed over the last few centuries. More than 30 other volumes in the series are also available from Cosimo Classics. This volume, dating from 1854, covers Pyrrhus of Epirus (318BC-272 BC), one of the fiercest enemies of ancient Rome, including his wars in Macedon and Italy and his experience at the Battle of Asculum, from which we take the term "Pyrrhic victory."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Greece, Biography

306 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1854

About the author

Abbott was born at Hallowell, Maine to Jacob and Betsey Abbott. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820; studied at Andover Theological Seminary in 1821, 1822, and 1824; was tutor in 1824-1825, and from 1825 to 1829 was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College; was licensed to preach by the Hampshire Association in 1826; founded the Mount Vernon School for Young Ladies in Boston in 1829, and was principal of it in 1829-1833; was pastor of Eliot Congregational Church (which he founded), at Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1834-1835; and was, with his brothers, a founder, and in 1843-1851 a principal of Abbott's Institute, and in 1845-1848 of the Mount Vernon School for Boys, in New York City.

He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.

His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work, Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and the The Parent's Assistant.
Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine

His brothers, John S.C. Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors. His sons, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Austin Abbott, both eminent lawyers, Lyman Abbott, and Edward Abbott, a clergyman, were also well-known authors.

Reviews

[Carol Bakker · Rating 3 out of 5]

...for it was one of the fundamental principles of haruspicial science that lightning made sacred whatever it touched. Where else could one read such a curiously waggish sentence?

Understatement alert: The Spartans, however, were not much accustomed to be alarmed."

Reading about Pyrrhus was a stretch because there's nothing familiar. Beginning with his native land, Epirus. Add a dozen rivals/allies whose names begin with A- Antipater, Agathocles, Archagathus, Alexander (not that one), Arsinoe, Antiochus, Antigonus. Abbott includes enchanting appositives after a name: it will be recollected , his way of reminding the reader that this character was introduced three chapters before. Ha ha, Mr. Abbott!

What was familiar was Pyrrhus's personality. He was perpetually making new beginnings but nowhere attaining any ends. Though he conquered many kingdoms, Abbott writes, He accomplished nothing.

My favorite story, in my words. Pyrrhus has been asked to come defend the city of Tarentum (on the instep of the boot of Italy) against the Romans. His general, Cineas, a student of Demosthenes, tries to dissuade him from going.

C: Let's say we conquer the Romans. Then what?
P: We'll master all of Italy.
C: After Italy, what next?
P: Why, Sicily is close. We'll take Sicily.
C: Let's say we win Sicily. Then what?
P: Libya and Carthage. No one will be able to oppose us.
C: Sure; and don't forget Thessaly, Macedon, and Greece. What then?
P: Why then, we can rest, and, eat, drink, and be merry.
C: That's what we're doing now! Why go to war?

[Sarah Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really entertaining... but like others said, hard to keep track of all the characters!

[Dayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to read if you like history and you want to expand your vocabulary.

[Sotiris Makrygiannis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Jacob Abbott's 'Pyrrhus' provides a straightforward introduction to the life and campaigns of the ancient king of Epirus, the narrative at times feels overly simplified. Abbott's writing style, though clear, lacks the depth and nuance that a subject like Pyrrhus demands. The book serves as a decent primer for those unfamiliar with the history, but seasoned readers might find it lacking in detailed analysis and fresh insights. A middle-of-the-road read for history enthusiasts.

Free audio book here:
https://librivox.org/pyrrhus-by-jacob...

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps it was because I'm not at all familiar with ancient Greek and Roman history, but this book was harder to read than the other biographies by Abbott. So many names! So many complex relationships! I had a hard time keeping things straight. And Pyrrhus was just not a hero in any sense of the word. I'm looking forward to reading other books by Abbott about people I have at least heard something about.