Pyrrhus   

Macedon. There had been formerly no very good understanding between
him and Pyrrhus; for besides the inroads he made into Thessaly, the
innate disease of princes, ambition of greater empire, had rendered
them formidable and suspected neighbours to each other, especially
since Deidamia's death; and both having seized Macedon, they came
into conflict for the same object, and the difference between them
had the stronger motives. Demetrius having first attacked the Aetolians
and subdued them, left Pantauchus there with a considerable army,
and marched direct against Pyrrhus, and Pyrrhus, as he thought, against
him; but by mistake of the ways they passed by one another, and Demetrius
falling into Epirus wasted the country, and Pyrrhus, meeting with
Pantauchus, prepared for an engagement. The soldiers fell to, and
there was a sharp and terrible conflict, especially where the generals
were. Pantauchus, in courage, dexterity, and strength of body, being
confessedly the best of all Demetrius's captains, and having both
resolution and high spirit, challenged Pyrrhus to fight hand to hand;
on the other side Pyrrhus, professing not to yield to any king in
valour and glory, and esteeming the fame of Achilles more truly to
belong to him for his courage than for his blood, advanced against
Pantauchus through the front of the army. First they used their lances,
then came to a close fight, and managed their swords both with art
and force; Pyrrhus receiving one wound, but returning two for it,
one in the thigh and the other near the neck repulsed and overthrew
Pantauchus, but did not kill him outright, as he was rescued by his
friends. But the Epirots exulting in the victory of their king, and
admiring his courage, forced through and cut in pieces the phalanx
of the Macedonians, and pursuing those that fled, killed many, and
took five thousand prisoners.
This fight did not so much exasperate the Macedonians with anger for
their loss, or with hatred to Pyrrhus, as it caused esteem and admiration
of his valour, and great discourse of him among those that saw what
he did, and were engaged against him in the action. They thought his
countenance, his swiftness, and his motions expressed those of the
great Alexander, and that they beheld here an image and resemblance
of his rapidity and strength in fight; other kings merely by their
purple and their guards, by the formal bending of their necks and
lofty tone of their speech, Pyrrhus only by arms and in action, represented
Alexander. Of his knowledge of military tactics and the art of a general,
and his great ability that way, we have the best information from
the commentaries he left behind him. Antigonus, also, we are told,
being asked who was the greatest soldier, said, "Pyrrhus, if he lives
to be old," referring only to those of his own time; but Hannibal
of all great commanders esteemed Pyrrhus for skill and conduct the
first, Scipio the second, and himself the third, as is related in
the life of Scipio. In a word, he seemed ever to make this all his
thought and philosophy, as the most kingly part of learning: other
curiosities he held in no account. He is reported, when asked at a
feast whether he thought Python or Caphisias the best musician to
have said, Polysperchon was the best soldier, as though it became
a king to examine and understand only such things. Towards his familiars
he was mild and not easily incensed; zealous and even vehement in
returning kindnesses. Thus when Aeropus was dead, he could not bear
it with moderation, saying, he indeed had suffered what was common
to human nature, but condemning and blaming himself, that by puttings
off and delays he had not returned his kindness in time. For our debts
may be satisfied to the creditor's heirs, but not to have made the
acknowledgment of received favours, while they to whom it is due can
be sensible of it, afflicts a good and worthy nature. Some thinking
it fit that Pyrrhus should banish a certain ill-tongued fellow in
Ambracia, who had spoken very indecently of him, "Let him rather,"
said he, "speak against us here to a few, than rambling about to a
great many." And others who in their wine had made reflections upon
him, being afterward questioned for it, and asked by him whether they
had said such words, on one of the young fellows answering. "Yes,