Battle of Asculum ( 279 BC ) The Battle of Asculum ( or Ausculum ) took place in 279 BC between the Romans under the command of Consul Publius Decius Mus and the combined Tarantine , Oscan , Samnite , and Epirote forces , under the command of the Greek king Pyrrhus of Epirus . The battle occurred during the Pyrrhic War for control of Magna Graecia . Armies . The battle at Asculum was the second encounter between Pyrrhus ' primarily Macedonian army and several Roman legions . According to written accounts of the engagement from the era , the two armies were likely close to same size at 40 , 000 men each . The Roman force was largely made up of infantry , an estimated four legions totaling 25 , 000 Romans , in addition to Dauni allies . After the Battle of Heraclea , in which the presence of Seleucid war elephants had proved decisive , the legions had apparently equipped a portion of their total force with anti - elephant devices : chariots fitted with long spikes meant to wound the elephants ' vulnerable legs , pots filled with flammable materials meant to frighten the elephants into retreat , and support troops who were trained to hurl pila . Pyrrhus ' s force consisted of Macedonian infantry and cavalry ( his own troops ) , Greek mercenary infantry , allied Italian Greeks ( including a Tarentine militia ) , twenty war elephants , and Samnite infantry and cavalry . The Greek army had notable advantages in both cavalry numbers and in the unique presence of its elephants . However , in order to counter the flexibility of the legions , Pyrrhus mixed some light Italic troops with his phalanx . Battle . The battle was fought over two days . As was customary of the warfare of the period , both armies deployed their cavalry on the wings and infantry in the center . Pyrrhus held his personal cavalry in reserve behind the centre under his own command . The elephants were also initially kept in reserve . On the first day , the Greek cavalry and elephants went largely unused as they were blocked from the Roman advances by woodland and hills in the vicinity of the battleground , although the Italic soldiers in the phalanxes reportedly engaged the Romans very effectively . The Macedonians broke the Roman first legion and Rome ' s Latin allies on their left wing but the Roman third and fourth legions defeated the Tarentines , Oscans and Epirotes in Pyrrhus ' centre . Meanwhile , a force of Dauni attacked the Greek camp . Pyrrhus dispatched reserve cavalry to deal with the breakthrough along with part of the regular horse and several elephants . When the attackers withdrew to an almost inaccessible position atop a steep hill , Pyrrhus then deployed the elephants against the third and fourth legions , who likewise proceeded to take refuge in heavily wooded areas on high ground while remaining under constant fire from the archers and slingers escorting the elephants . Pyrrhus sent Athamanian , Acharnian and Samnite infantry to drive the Romans out of the woods , but those forces were intercepted by Roman cavalry . Both sides withdrew at dusk , neither having gained a significant advantage . At dawn , Pyrrhus sent light infantry to occupy the treacherous high ground which had proven to be the cause of stalemate the previous day , thereby forcing the Romans to fight in the open or flee . As at Heraclea , a massive line to line collision occurred , until the elephants , supported by light infantry , broke through the Roman shieldwall . As a result , the specialized anti - elephant Roman chariots were quickly deployed by legion commanders ; though briefly proving effective , the small force was eventually overwhelmed by Greek psiloi . The elephants then charged the Roman infantry , which broke ranks . Pyrrhus simultaneously ordered his personal cavalry to charge , beginning and quickly completing a significant rout . The defeated Roman force retreated . Traditionally , it is believed that Roman casualties totaled nearly 8 , 000 , while Pyrrhus lost some 3 , 000 , including many of his officers . Pyrrhus later famously commented on his victory , stating , " One more such victory , and we shall be undone . " It is from reports of this semi - legendary event that the term Pyrrhic victory originates .