Learning from the Romans

“When in Rome, do as Romans do”

You've heard that one, right? But there is so much more about the Romans than gelato and riding a Vespa. There was also the Roman Empire.

You may also heard about: “a Pyrrhic Victory”, which is used often to denote a victory that wasn't such really. Like -for example- winning one game when you have already been disqualified. The term refers to King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who defeated the Romans both at the Battle of Heraclea in 280 BC and the Battle of Asculum in 279 BC, but whose army suffered irreplaceable casualties in both occasions. The irony is captured in the following quote:

If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined

- Plutarch

As uncommon as this may be, this story that is seldom told from the winning side's point of view. Epirus ends up surrendering, and the Romans win not because they were superior to Pyrrhus’ army, they just kept showing up. Simply kept coming back.

You only fail when you quit.