What Shall We Do with Our Victory?

Plutarch, John Dryden · Hellenic and Hellenistic Papers Series · 6 pages

From Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans in John Dryden's translation, being the passage from the life of Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, 319–272 BCE, who defeated the Romans in two battles at staggering cost to himself. The running head names the subject as human nature and motive, and a head-note states the conclusion: that it will rebound upon us with corresponding vigour.

Cineas the Thessalian is introduced first, a man of very good sense and a disciple of Demosthenes, who of all the famous speakers of the time most revived in his hearers the memory of that orator's force — always about Pyrrhus and sent on his business to several cities, so that he verified the line of Euripides that the force of words can do whatever is done by conquering swords. Pyrrhus used to say that Cineas had taken more towns with his words than he with his arms. Seeing the king preparing eagerly for Italy, Cineas leads him into a conversation by asking a single question and then repeating it. If God permits them to overcome the Romans, how should they use the victory? Pyrrhus answers that the thing is evident: once Rome is conquered no Greek or barbarian city will resist them and they will be masters of all Italy. Cineas pauses, then asks what they shall do next. Sicily, says Pyrrhus, holds out her arms to receive them, wealthy and populous and easy to gain since Agathocles left it to faction and anarchy. Cineas grants that this is perfectly probable and asks whether the possession of Sicily will put an end to the war. The passage continues in that rhythm, each answer opening a further conquest, until the question can no longer be deferred.

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