"Pyrrhus" Makers of History series by Jacob Abbott, published by Leslie-Judge Company, New York, undated, copyright blank, 1910s.

Hard boards, original red embossed cloth, gilt lettering and decorations on spine [a little wear]; 4.3/4" x 7.1/4"; frontispiece portrait, 264 pages, a few illustrations, very good condition.

Pyrrhus (319/318-272 BC) was a Greek king and statesman of the Hellenistic period. He was one of the strongest opponents of early Rome, and had been regarded as one of the greatest generals of antiquity. In his "Life of Pyrrhus," Plutarch records that Hannibal ranked him as the greatest commander the world had ever seen, though in the "Life of Titus Quinctius Flamininus," Plutarch writes that Hannibal placed him second after Alexander the Great.

The concept of a monarch having a touch that could heal all wounds may have originated with Pyrrhus. As Pliny the Elder states, Pyrrhus' great toe on his right foot cured diseases of the spleen by merely touching the patient. His toe could also not be burned so when his body was cremated, his toe was put in a coffer, and kept at an unknown temple.

Pyrrhus lends his name to the term "Pyrrhic victory" which stems from statement he is alleged to have made following the Battle of Asculum. In response to congratulations for winning a costly victory over the Romans, he is reported to have said: "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined." The term Pyrrhic Victory has therefore come to signify a victory that was won at such cost that it loses all worth.

Pyrrhus wrote memoirs and several books on the art of war. These have since been lost, although, according to Plutarch, Hannibal was influenced by them, and they received praise from Cicero.

The history of Judge Publishing Company, New York, NY:

Judge Company (1881-1909); Leslie-Judge Co. (1910-1927); Judge Publishing Company (1927-1931); Judge Magazine, Inc. (1932-1947). Publisher of the "Judge," a weekly satirical magazine published in the United States from 1881 to 1947.

US: Priority (c.2-5 days) ----------- $12.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-6 weeks) ------ $30.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-8 weeks) ------- $40.50