The sudden and vehement style of the Greek warfare and the genius of the general might perhaps achieve another such victory as those of Heraclea and Ausculum, but every new victory was wearing out his resources for further enterprise, and it was clear that the Romans already felt themselves the stronger, and awaited with a courageous patience final victory.

Such a war as this was not the delicate game of art that was practised and understood by the Greek princes.

All strategical combinations were shattered against the full and mighty energy of the national levy.

Pyrrhus felt how matters stood: weary of his victories and despising his allies, he only persevered because military honour required him not to leave Italy till he should have secured his clients from barbarian assault.

With his impatient temperament it might be presumed that he would embrace the first pretext to get rid of the burdensome duty; and an opportunity of withdrawing from Italy was soon presented to him by the affairs of Sicily.
Relations of Sicily, Syracuse, and Carthage-- Pyrrhus Invited to Syracuse After the death of Agathocles (465) the Greeks of Sicily were without any leading power.