3 chapters across the catalog
The concept of a Pyrrhic victory is traced back to King Pyrrhus of Epirus during his campaigns against the Roman Republic between 280 BC and 275 BC. Although Pyrrhus won tactical battles at Heraclea and Asculum, his losses were so severe that he noted another such victory would utterly ruin him. This historical parallel is used to describe modern military conflicts that achieve immediate goals but lead to the eventual collapse of the victor's empire.
Jeremy Ryan Slate on Roman History and Modern Parallels
Historian Jeremy Ryan Slate compared the current state of the United States to the late Roman Republic, citing parallels in inflation and border instability. He debunked the "Trump as Caesar" narrative promoted by critics like Robert De Niro, noting that Caesar did not relinquish power while Trump did. Slate argued that the U.S. is currently functioning as a "private corporate Federal Reserve farm" rather than a true republic.
Roman Republic, Entitlements and Economic Collapse
The fall of the Roman Republic is compared to the current state of the United States, specifically regarding the "weight of entitlements." Dr. Kirk Elliott explains how the politician Clodius used free grain to buy votes in 56 BC, leading to a system where one-third of Romans were on government assistance. Today, nearly 80% of U.S. federal revenue goes toward entitlements and interest on the national debt, signaling an "already exploded" time bomb.
