8 Satis constans fama = a tolerably unanimous opinion.
12 iustitiae probatioris = of more eminent (lit. tested) justice.
14 Lysimachum, one of Alexander’s generals. About 286 B.C. King of Macedonia and Asia Minor.
Demetrium, surnamed Poliorcetes (stormer of cities), son of Antigonus, King of Asia (one of Alexander’s generals).
16-17 Siculorum bellis. During the years 280-276 B.C. Pyrrhus made himself master of all Sicily with the exception of the Carthaginian stronghold of Lilybaeum.
* Cf. the death of Abimelech before Thebez, Judges ix. 53.
Character of Pyrrhus. ‘He was not only one of the ablest generals and princes, but amiable also as a man, and worthy of our sympathy and respect.’—Ihne.
Why he failed. ‘From lack of accurate information he wholly underestimated the power of Rome. Here was the great error in his calculation, an error for which he can hardly be held responsible.’—Ihne.
Reference. Plutarch, Pyrrhus.