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Pyrrhic victory facts for kids

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The pyrrhic victory of the Mulligan guards in Maine LCCN2011661828
James G. Blaine finally gained the 1884 Republican nomination for U.S. president, in his third attempt – "Another victory like this and our money's gone!"

A Pyrrhic victory is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. Someone who wins a Pyrrhic victory has also taken a heavy toll that negates any true sense of achievement or damages long-term progress.

A Pyrrhic victory may take place when the victorious army has lost a huge number of men or when the enemy army has reinforcements about to arrive which greatly outnumber the winning army and mean that the chances of a second victory are very low.

A Pyrrhic Victory is named after King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who won a battle against the Romans in 280 AD during which he lost a great deal of men and a lot of his Generals were also killed.

Images for kids

  • Johann Peter Krafft 005

    Last stand and final charge from the fortress of Szigetvár (painting by Johann Peter Krafft, 1825)

  • Aircraft prepare to launch from Japanese carrier Shōkaku during Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942 (80-G-176150)

    Japanese aircraft prepare to take off from Shōkaku during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands

  • Croatian War 1991 Vukovar street

    The ruined streets of Vukovar ten days after its surrender

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Victoria pírrica para niños

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