Places of amusement were closed; the people were forced to perform military duty; disturbers of the public safety were put to death; and other reforms were made which the dangers of the situation seemed to demand.

Meanwhile the Romans acted with promptness, and boldly challenged him to battle.

The armies met in 280 on the plain of HERACLEA, on the banks of the Liris, where the level nature of the country was in favor of the Greek method of fighting.

The Macedonian phalanx was the most perfect instrument of warfare the world had yet seen, and the Roman legions had never yet been brought into collision with it.
The Romans, under LAEVINUS, were defeated, more by the surprise of a charge of elephants than by the tactics of the phalanx.

However, they retired in good order.