The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Pyrrhus of Epirus, Molossian King (319/318 BC - 272 BC)

Greek king who fought against the expansion of the Roman Empire. Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198606413.001.0001/acref-9780198606413-e-5456?rskey=YjiLw4&result=1 Other biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhus_of_Epirus Relationships: Pyrrhus of Epirus was a relative of Alexander the Great (20 Jul 356 BC-11 Jun 323 BC)
Pyrrhus of Epirus was a associate or acquaintance (general) of Ptolemy I Soter (c. 367 BC-c. 283 BC)

Agathocles (c. 361 BC-c. 289 BC) was a relative of Pyrrhus of Epirus
King of Syracuse Hiero II (c. 308 BCE-215 BCE) was a associate or acquaintance (general) of Pyrrhus of Epirus
Mamertines (-) was a associate or acquaintance (general) of Pyrrhus of Epirus
References in Documents:
MS The Book of the Junior Proctor (MacGregor, ed.) 733 Crepitacula indica conchis fructibusque composita, quæ gestunt dum Ludum Pyrrhichum agunti. Indian rattles made from shells and husks which they wave during the Pyrrhic Games.
Musaeum Clausum (1684)

22. A large Agath containing a various and careless Figure, which looked upon by a Cylinder representeth a perfect Centaur. By some such advantages King Pyrrhus might find out Apollo and the nine Muses in those Agaths of his whereof Pliny maketh mention.

Grew, Musaeum Regalis (1685)

The AGATE. So called from the River Achates in Sicily, near which it was first found. (g) (g) Theophr. de Lap. Almost of the colour of clear Horn. The hardest of Semiperspicuous Gems. They grow in India, Germany, Bohemia. Naturally adorned with much variety of waved and other figur'd Veins, Spots, the representation of Vegetable, and sometimes of Animal Bodies. None more memorable, than that mention'd by Pliny, (a) (a) Lib. 7. c. 11. of Pyrrhus King of Epyrus, in which, without much strain of phancy, one might imagine a representation of the Nine Muses, and Apollo, with his Harp, in the middle of them. 'Tis used for Sword-Hilts, Knife-Hafts, Beads, Cups, and the like. There are pieces of it, sometimes (b) (b) Mus. Septal. as thick as a Mans Arm.

Inventarie of the Gabions, in M. George his Cabinet (1638) This tragick task, Monsier, in hand to take Mine eyes do melt in teares, mine heart strings crake, What! shall I speak of Priam King of Troy By Pyrrhus kild? that cannot much annoy: 14 Or shall I of brave Iulius Cæsar tell, VVhom these two traitours did in Senat kill? These may affect us with some small compassion, But for to speak of this is a tentation. Cæsar for valour, learning and meek mind, And ah too much like Cæsar in his end. Excusa moi, Monsier, mine heart's so sorie, That I can tell you no more of this storie.