Pyrrhus defeated Antigonus II at the Aous River, temporarily seizing upper Macedonia and Thessaly, though he failed to consolidate his victory.
Key Facts
- Date
- 274 BC
- Epirote infantry
- 8,000 soldiers
- Epirote cavalry
- 500 soldiers
- Macedonians who defected
- over 2,000 soldiers
- River
- Aous (modern Vjosa)
- Territory seized by Pyrrhus
- Upper Macedonia and Thessaly
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After retreating from Italy in 275 BC, Pyrrhus returned to Epirus with a large but unpaid army. Seeking funds and glory, he launched what began as a limited raid into Macedonia, supplemented by Gallic mercenaries. Antigonus II, who had reclaimed the Macedonian throne in 277 BC during Pyrrhus' absence in Italy, was forced to defend his kingdom.
The two armies met in a narrow gorge near the Aous River. Pyrrhus routed Antigonus' rearguard and defeated the Gauls protecting the Macedonian war elephants, who then surrendered along with the elephants. Demoralized Macedonian phalanx soldiers defected to Pyrrhus en masse, and Antigonus escaped the disaster only by disguising his identity.
Pyrrhus took control of upper Macedonia and Thessaly, but squandered his advantage. His Gallic garrison at Aegae desecrated royal tombs, alienating the Macedonians, and he failed to eliminate Antigonus, who retained the coastal cities. This neglect allowed Antigonus to eventually recover and reassert control over Macedonia.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Pyrrhus of Epirus.
Side B
1 belligerent
Antigonus II Gonatas.