The Battle of Heraclea took place in 280 BC during the Pyrrhic War. It was fought between the forces of King Pyrrhus of Epirus and the Roman Republic. Pyrrhus, using his experienced army and war elephants, achieved a significant victory against the Romans, showcasing the effectiveness of his tactics and troops. This battle marked the beginning of a series of conflicts between Rome and the Greek states. Although Pyrrhus won, the heavy casualties he suffered foreshadowed the challenges he would face in subsequent battles. The term "Pyrrhic victory" later emerged to describe victories that come at such a cost that they are almost tantamount to defeat.