Pyrrhus vs. Rome Documentary

When Pyrrhus of Epirus invaded southern Italy in 280 BC, he set a historic collision course into motion--a collision between East and West. For the first time, the vaunted Macedonian pike phalanx would meet the Roman legion in battle. This is the story of how Pyrrhus, a descendent of Alexander the Great (and supposedly Achilles himself), carved his name in history as one of the most colorful, inspiring, and tragic commanders of antiquity.
To tell this incredible story, we are joined by four expert historians: Adrian Goldsworthy, Denis Feeney, Michael Taylor, and Myke Cole. Our thanks to all four gentlemen for sitting down to talk about Pyrrhus of Epirus! We must also thank Sebastien Angel for his stirring "Epic Gods" music and Jose Moran for his exceptional original illustrations. And of course, most of all, we want to thank our army of Patreon supporters for being the best community of historical wargamers out there.
PYRRHIC WAR CAMPAIGN GAME
If you want to watch our club refight the entire Pyrrhic War on the tabletop in an epic 8-month campaign of linked wargames, you can watch our version of the war here:
• 9-Player Pyrrhic War C...
EPIC GODS MUSIC
To listen to all the incredible tracks (and many more) from composer Sebastien Angel, visit his channel here:
/ s%c3%a9bastienangel
LEGION vs. PHALANX
We really enjoyed Myke Cole's 2018 book "Legion Versus Phalanx" and think you'll find it a very enjoyable read. This is NOT an affiliate link, by the way....
www.amazon.com/Legion-versus-...

[@scottmiller6958]

You guys have come a LONG way from a local wargaming club to producing world class documentaries. Well done!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Hahah thanks Scott. A long way, indeed! It's been a fun learning experience.

[@user-uy1rg8td1v]

@@LittleWarsTV Love the channel but the first historian really needed a better mic as his voice quality sounded echoey and distant.

[@christopherduvar]

Considering the size of this channel this is a fantastic documentary the production value is really good - this is the kind of thing Id expect on the History channel before it turned into crappy reality tv shows. Keep up the good work guys!

[@anathardayaldar]

History Channel: Am I a joke to you? Today: Yes, yes you are.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Oh I remember those days fondly! The History Channel used to have some GREAT traditional-style documentaries. They had a killer ACW series back in the day. Now...well...not so much.

[@jacksaell259]

Gosh I remember that Alexander the Great documentary they released when I was a kid back in the early 2000s. Easily one of my all time favorites

[@jellybryce7742]

theyre dumbing it down on purpose.

[@dpkworldwide]

Wow-to think that such a world-class documentary production would come out of a channel started as a bit of fun by a wargaming club is mind-blowing. The content, pacing, editing, artwork, interviews-the whole enchilada-is 100% broadcast quality. I'm proud to say that I've been a Patreon Showrunner since day one and this kind of material, along with your usual war game-related fare, his been worth my hard-earned cash every month. I congratulate the LWTV crew and wish for (and will continue to contribute toward) your continued success!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thank you, both for the compliment on this video AND for helping make it possible in the first place. Patreon has been an interesting and enlightening experience for us here at the club. Seeing the outpouring of support was kind of eye-opening and made us wonder...why can't we step up our wargaming to the next level?

[@andrewdad10]

I was curious as to whether or not you would use miniatures in place of live reenactment in this documentary. This way was perfect. Kept it simple and focused of the history!

[@LittleWarsTV]

We thought about that, Andrew. And originally we intended to set up the historical battles as miniature dioramas, but visually it didn't mesh well with the style of the rest of the video. So we dropped it.

[@anathardayaldar]

I luv me some animated colored rectangles.

[@anathardayaldar]

@@LittleWarsTV The sign of a true professional. Placing quality above personal preferences.

[@_Abjuranax_]

"The only thing worse than a battle won, is a battle lost" Wellington after Waterloo.

[@historyrepeat402]

“Between a battle lost and a battle won, the distance is immense and there stand empires.” -Napoleon

[@bobroberts6702]

Now that was impressive. Massive congratulations to all involved. Came home late from work to sit down with a TV dinner. Got so engrossed I had to do a mental check half way through to remind myself I wasn't watching some documentary on the BBC. Keep up the good work.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thanks, Bob! We'll take a BBC comparison anyday!

[@andypickard7314]

This give pro documentarians a run for their money. It is really excellent content. Congratulations to the entire LW team.

[@dougbright6970]

Such a foreshadowing of the 2nd Punic War. Hannibal was such an admirer of Pyrrhus who had given a blueprint for the invasion of Italy yet Hannibal made many of the same mistakes and ends up just like Pyrrhus in failure.

[@historyrepeat402]

While I do not disagree Hannibal made some of the same mistakes, I think the larger strategic mistakes by Carthage an empire costed him in his own personal campaigns.

[@EWBaylisTS]

Well done all those concerned a very engaging 30 minutes

[@cadetnebraska4875]

Absolutely loved this especially as a follow-up to your pyrrhic war campaign, can't wait to see what you all come up with next!

[@Executioner9000]

It's like the history channel of old! I love it!

[@derrickmabbott9095]

Guys, this is superb. I do not like "piling on" to comments already made, but I have to here because this is magnificent. I have followed your channel from pretty much the beginning. I thought it was great when you interviewed David Glantz for your battle of Berlin, it was great when you started teaming with the Battlefield Trust. But this goes to quite another level. As others have said, this is a premium quality documentary in ANYONE'S league; both in production values, but more importantly, the quality of the contributors, the content and the editing. This is a superb narrative that is the de facto standard on this topic. Thank you and my hearty congratulations and sincere respect. Wow!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thanks, Derrick. Since you're a veteran from the earliest days of Little Wars TV you've had a front row seat to a bunch of guys with zero video training figuring this stuff out as we go! We really did try to step it up for all of the Pyrrhic War material and it's been very, very gratifying to hear that longtime viewers have noticed some improvement in our production skills. Onward and upward for historical wargaming!

[@ArcticTemper]

The reflections at the end were great, truly makes Pyrrhus come alive as a figure! It reminds me very much of studying Pompey, whom a lot of people seem to disrespect because he didn't overthrow the republic and wipe out his opponents like Caesar did. But, why would we bemoan one of the greatest commanders of the ancient world for... just wanting to be a great and respected commander like his hero Alexander and not to become a king like this other guy (who incidentally then rewrote the history of the period) wanted to do?

[@martinevans9757]

Can only echo many of the sentiments of other commentators: This far exceeds the efforts of a 'mere' wargaming channel. Congratulations on showing how a documentary about an historical figure should - and can - be done.

[@TheDansonT]

Just what I needed with my coffee this morning

[@Wooteq44]

Superb.

[@kellstar4861]

Absolutely love this guys! Keep up the great work, looking forward to the next game

[@LittleWarsTV]

Many more to come!

[@thewheezychieftain5488]

Wow what an amazing story! Thanks for sharing. Having studied Roman history at college we sadly didn't go as far into depth on why things like this happened. We remember Pyhhrus and the term Pyhhric Victory today because he was that character in history that came, saw, and died trying.

[@zombiehampster1397]

I think Pyrrhus is interesting for someone who came close to achieving much but never did. It's all that brilliance and potential for greatness. He's like the guy that has all the cards but just can't totally win.

[@anathardayaldar]

His mom never let him forget it.

[@thadtuiol1717]

He's the classic idiot-savant dilletante, the guy who is very talented but never really sees anything through because he gets bored and so moves on to the next thing. Zero strategic direction in life. I know people like this both at work and among my family and friends.

[@theobessiris9681]

Great Video. If he was around today to see this video Pyrrhus would be as proud as a pachyderm trampling Roman Legions!!!

[@alans3023]

Gentlemen. This is a great documentary and would not have been out of place had it appeared on the BBC. The story is well told and the various contributors were very well edited together. Very professional. Thank you.

[@gundamace2037]

What a brilliant documentary...almost felt like a docudrama with the combination of music while the events were being spoken of and unfolded at the same time...I really enjoyed. I GOT CHILLS!! Theyre multiplying!!

[@LittleWarsTV]

It's such a shame Pyrrhus's story is so overshadowed these days. He's become a historical footnote, but his life is pretty incredible.

[@crumbum2]

THIS!!! More of this please to go with your campaigns!!!!

[@charlesrowntree3346]

Just incredible! You guys haven’t just raised the bar you’ve shattered the ceiling. I can’t wait to see what you do next!

[@RexOedipus.]

Thank you for all the patrons that probably made this possible

[@epone3488]

Jose's art was just so on point and beautifully executed - the Roman Hasitii the Elepants, and Phyrus all so well done.

[@johnmumby5823]

I just finished Mykol Cole's Legion vs Phalanx today and highly recommend it. Then, I watched him on the video a few hours later. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

[@TonyAguilarFigure-atively]

Excellent program. Pyrrhus is easily my favorite ancient commander. I read Myke Cole's book (and it is very good) but I disagree with his assessment on Pyrrhus's elephants (that they were the small African Forest variety and that they did not have towers) based on what I have read in all other sources. Pyrrhus after all was the one who is credited for putting towers on elephants in the first place. BTW the sketches used in the program are exceptional.

[@Redmow51]

Ancient history is fascinating and breath-taking. I would have liked to meet Pyrrhus.

[@erasmusburger2132]

Well done on this series! So good I feel obliged to join your Patreon after watching it.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Welcome aboard!

[@ElGreco15]

I've been looking forward to this! Thank you guys!

[@LittleWarsTV]

It's been an entire year in the making!

[@MisterNizz]

Wonderful!!

[@raycarpenter6466]

Excellent documentary , would like to see Little Wars TV re -fight some of the battles on the tabletop !

[@LittleWarsTV]

Beneventum would be a particularly interesting one, given the possibility of the Greek nighttime flanking march going well. Historically it was a debacle, but what if Pyrrhus's column hadn't gotten lost in the woods? Would be fun to explore!

[@chrisc.2591]

Simply love this historical presentation overview! Well done!

[@baliusd]

Very well done! Great production.

[@rrekrut]

Fantastic! The whole season, between the campaign at the game table and this wonderfully produced documentary, you guys have really set a high bar for wargaming channel. It's been really inspiring content to watch here at the hobby bench, as I'm currently applying shield transfers for my own Roman and Pyrrhic armies.

[@wayoutwest7]

This is so well done. Exceptional work gentleman.

[@oldschoolfrp2326]

Very well done, great interviews and editing. These events tend to be overshadowed as precursors to the Punic Wars, which get remembered as Rome’s big entrance onto a wider world stage.

[@get_the_lead_out]

Well done as usual gents! Congratulations on such a “Pyrrhic Victory “!!!!😂😂 Someone had to say it!!😁😁

[@kafon6368]

I have many of Adrian Goldsworthy's books, by far my favorite author! Thank you for having him on, I also immensely enjoyed the Pyrrhic War game, subscribed!

[@Boric78]

Wow what a cracking little documentary. Instant subscription on the basis of this.

[@IAIN1815]

Dam it LWTV...a new army to research, buy and paint (Pyrruhs). Probably two, ( Early Rome) ......or maybe three, (Early Carthage)

[@sullafelix649]

I enjoyed this a lot. The music at the end was a good choice.

[@LittleWarsTV]

Sebastien Angel's Epic Gods music is top notch stuff. His channel is wonderful.

[@mollytyson1169]

With 60,000 subscribers can see why these historians would agree to do this on a wargame channel. This was smart on their part to reach new audiences in different ways. Most wargamers are interested in history and the combination is great viewing. Well done.

[@robertdelaney4332]

Well done. That entire series culminating with this documentary has been the best waegaming channel experience i have had. I wish I could move up there and be a Part of this, even if it was to just mow the lawn so you can focus on videos 😀

[@j.b.macadam6516]

Outstanding documentary video! I was entertained and educated. Keep it up, Little Wars! Thanks!

[@joeldawson4301]

An incredibly professional documentary production Really well done and very informative The perfect way to put a bow on the Campaign series.

[@davidnemoseck9007]

Wow! Awesomely done! Please do more of these in the future!

[@broseidongodofthebrocean8931]

Absolutely loved this!!!!!

[@connorfritsch8618]

This was very insightful. Thank you all!

[@gaelanjoub]

More like this please these historians are great!

[@rogerbogh3884]

Well done... Just finished binge watching the campaign - and, this documentary was icing on the cake

[@princeofmoskova]

I can only give this one thumb up, but it deserves many, many more. Bravo!!!

[@LittleWarsTV]

Thank you! We really invested a lot of time into this one and couldn't be happier with how it all turned out!

[@klaudioabazi4478]

Honestly, the definitive documentary on Pyrrhus of Epirus. Brilliant and engaging. My Compliments. I can't wait to see what you guys do next.

[@timoseppa9124]

Congrats, awesome job!

[@stevehall9333]

Bloody brilliant, looking forward to the next one !

[@johnnysylvia]

Really cool documentary. You did a great job with this. Finally finished watching the series on Pyrrhus and am totally impressed.

[@jake4753]

Great job. Thank you.

[@KrisV385]

You guys continue to amaze!! Stellar documentary and some of the primary voices on the subject. Plus great film making too!! What has been unleashed here!!

[@iainfuller5083]

Brilliant. Cheers chaps.

[@raybarron316]

I am blown away. You guys are doing excellent work. Keep it up!

[@troydodson9641]

Vercingetorix, Arminious, Cleopatra, Oda. These people in the end failed, but it's still an incredible story of people who seem larger than life. Superb documentary, underrated tactical giant. This was an amazing way to convey the man's character. The presenting historians show enthusiasm and real delight in telling of this military giant

[@TimDutch]

Well made documentary Greg! It was a joy to watch.

[@jeremybain3830]

You guys are reaching new heights with your content! I only wish for more and greater success for all of you!

[@slartybartfarst55]

A brilliant documentary. Thank you

[@ftangftang4909]

Truely inspiring. Thank you.

[@rtk3543]

Excellent production guys, really well done 👍

[@patangman2117]

Excellent choice to merge actual historical context with the different scenarios you play. Well worth the watch.

[@Tupinamba77]

Excellent documentary! Little Wars TV has had a really impressive evolution. Thanks for the channel and all your efforts!

[@johnhart7704]

Great documentary. Well done.

[@andna3043]

Very nice documentary. Some questions/ideas: a) in heraclea, the first battle where the romans meet the Macedonian phalanx, the battle is said to be even for a long time, however in every other battle between the phalanx and rome (thermopylae, pydna, cynoscephalae etc) the phalanx is invincible and always pushes rome back as long as there is even ground. This makes me think that heraclea was a clear victory for Pyrrhus in both cavalry and infantry (as Italians are confident enough to join Pyrrhus after the battle) and was polished by historians (Plutarch writing for romans) to seem more close. Secondly, some historians say that the alliance of rome with Carthage after heraclea and promise of support was the reason for Rome’s refusal to negotiate peace (rather than caecus’ speech). Also did Pyrrhus have Indian or African elephants? I was under the impression that pyrrhus’ elephants were loaned by Ptolemy ceraunus who took them from seleucus. Thanks! Love your work.

[@carlosfigueroaortiz8431]

A great documentary.

[@alanhenderson5405]

Wow! This is a really great documentary!!!

[@rupertmillar7141]

That was really excellent

[@hamsteronthepaintingtable6465]

Brilliant, just brilliant 😊

[@michaeldecarlo6945]

Very well done. Engrossing and a joy to watch. Makes me proud to be a Patreon contributor and have my name in the credits. Thank you for your hard work and vision for the hobby.

[@JO-xo2sr]

I don't usually comment on KZbin, but this was very well done. Huge credit to everyone involved!

[@joshuajames-zc1id]

That was awesome i wish it was longer

[@MiniatureAdventuresTV]

Congratulations on such an amazing documentary. Top quality for content, analysis, and production value. Better than some documentaries I have seen on TV. Well done to all involved.

[@norahorphzinger6721]

Truly interesting and worth a few watches. Amazing progress from not only wargaming but actually laying out the history, though briefly, of said wargames!!

[@chappyhall6682]

This was really well done, props to everyone who worked on it!

[@aceyirl]

Thanks for putting the work in guys!

[@LittleWarsTV]

You’re welcome! This was a year long project for us!

[@luciouscarter2567]

Really well put together

[@rengerkaterberg6838]

Just wonderfull

[@Jujustroll]

Very good documentary sirs.

[@strangeglowingmonkeys]

More of this please

[@tryfryingmikejones]

pyrrus also had the coolest ancient helmets too.

[@danielh.g.5005]

Excellent job! I had in mind to build a Macedonian 6mm army, but I guess now it's going to be a Phyrric one!

[@Ed-wu8jn]

Well done.

[@martindice5424]

Very good chaps! I’ve always felt Beneventum was a bit… emm.. ambitious on the Phyrrus’ part. Ambush okay - but with at least half his army? 🤔😳

[@andreleclerc7231]

Watching this, made me realize that in Little Wars version of the campaign, the Pyrrhus player was the the 'anti-Pyrrhus': he was good at strategy but poor on tactics. Would outmanuever his enemy armies but then lose vs a smaller pt armies.

[@redjacobus]

Remember reading Goldsworthy's books for school, cool to see him in real life

[@chargerification]

All great takes Obviously learned men .

[@murraycramp3947]

Yes. This is very good stuff.

[@michailwoolf64]

Well done, Gentlemen.

[@paulpatrick9230]

Excellent.

[@bigsarge2085]

Interesting!

[@thomasarielly4339]

So - the History Channel hasn't added any new content in ten years (aside from lousy "reality TV" about Ancient Aliens, and treasure hunters), and your little wargame club produces something that outstrips anything they could hope to produce in quality and content. Well done, incredible, educational - time for some Scotch!

[@chamel9771]

Great video, but I have to point out that the romans at that time probably fought with spears as their main weapon rather than swords.

[@LittleWarsTV]

An interesting point and one hotly contested by ancient historians even now. We have surprisingly little information about how the Roman legions fought in this window and there are a lot of theories about the transition from spear-armed hoplites to gladius-armed infantry.

[@chamel9771]

@@LittleWarsTV It's true that there is not a wide consesus on the issue, but given the fact that they had just transitioned from the phalanx to the triplex acies I think it's more probable that they still hadn't changed their spears for swords. Anyhow it was just a typicial history buff nitpicking comment jajaja. It was a very interesting video and I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work! Greetings from Spain

[@neutralfellow9736]

solid stuff

[@RealCaptainMaga]

Hannibal replied "either Alexander or Pyrrhus, then himself" as far as greatest commanders while talking to Scipio. Hannibal obviously knew more of the story that has been lost to time and I will take Hannibal's word for it over any other person.