Before order was restored and the animals pacified, the main body of the Romans had escaped across the Siris.
Pyrrhus had gained a victory indeed, but he had lost a large number of his men. As he looked sadly upon the hosts of the dead lying upon the battlefield, he cried, ‘Another such victory and I must return to Epirus alone.’
The sight of the Roman soldiers slain in battle roused his admiration, for he noticed that their wounds were all in front. ‘Had I such soldiers,’ said the king, ‘I should soon be master of the world.’ Pyrrhus must have been thinking as he spoke of the lazy, undisciplined Tarentines, for his own brave Epirots were surely the last to turn their backs to an enemy.
When tidings of the king’s victory became known, many Greek towns sent tardy recruits to the conqueror.
And Pyrrhus, who had a generous heart, gave to these a share of the plunder, and rebuked them but lightly for joining him only after the battle was won.
CHAPTER XLIX
PYRRHUS TRIES TO FRIGHTEN FABRICIUS
After the great victory of Heraclea, Pyrrhus sent his minister Cineas to Rome to offer terms of peace.
Cineas was an orator. By the magic of his word he could sway men’s minds and wills, and it was said that he, by his tongue, had won more cities than Pyrrhus by his sword.
Between the eloquence of Cineas and the fear of another defeat, the Senate wavered—almost it was tempted to accept the terms offered by the conqueror of Heraclea.