Following the first day's encounter Pyrrhus mustered early and deployed on better terrain, more suited for his army than the previous days fighting. Taking full advantage of this he deployed his strong cavalry force on his right wing, intending to replicate his famous cousin's charges. On the right he deployed his light infantry and several of his elephants. This flank would have no horse, so the elephants would serve as both anchors and battering rams if they could over come the secret weapons the Romans were rumoured to have ready. The Pyrrhic center was formed from his Italian allies on the left and then the phalanx. Lastly he deployed his remaining elephant, again to act as an anchor for that flank should it become exposed by the lack of cavalry protection. To allow time for his cavalry to charge and take out their opponents and arc round the rear of the Romans, Pyrrhus staggered the positions of his phalanx, deploying in echelon back from the left.
Facing him the Romans deployed their allies on the left along with the bulk of their horse. The legions deployed to their right whist the remaining roman cavalry unit and the velites deployed at the far end of the line.
Emulating his famous cousin, Pyrrhus lead his cavalry out on a wide attack on the right, quickly detaching the Roman horse from their battle line. His second line of cavalry turned sharply and headed towards the now exposed Latin infantry. In the center the two lines advanced to contact. However, perhaps shaken by the non appearance of one of their maniples, perhaps by the wall of spears facing them over level ground, the Roman dice throwing was poor and the phalanx drove the legions back.
On the left the light troops skirmished with the velites as the Italian hopltes advanced and the Elephants moved up. Hoping to cause mayhem the Romans drove their cart and herd of pigs forward. Seeing an opening the Romans put touches to the pigs and sent them rushing towards the nearest elephant.....
The beast was surprised, but it's mahout kept it under control and the poor porkers were seen off by the crew with javelin and bow fire.... Secret weapon one had been foiled and emboldened by this the Epirote lights swarmed over the cart and destroyed it too. Suddenly this flank looked unstable as the Italians locked their shields and lowered their spears to charge into the legions.
The Epirotes had driven off the Roman cavalry on the right and were dealing with horse brought across from the opposite flank, but had succeeded in starting to roll up the legions from the side. Caught between phalanx, elephant and cavalry the Roman line started to give way beginning with the Italian allied troops.
The end was nigh, the Roman consul screamed to his tribunes to withdraw, before turning his horse and galloping from the field. The battle was over.
"One more victory like this....and we shall have them!", said a triumphant Pyhrrus as he watched the Romans stream defeated form the field.
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