Publius Decius Mus was a Roman politician and general of the

plebeian In ancient Rome, the plebeians (also called plebs) were the general body of free Roman citizens who were not patricians, as determined by the census, or in other words " commoners". Both classes were hereditary. Etymology The precise origins of ...

gens Decia. He was the son of Publius Decius Mus, who was consul in 312 BC. As consul in 279 BC, he and his fellow consul,

Publius Sulpicius Saverrio Publius may refer to: Roman name * Publius (praenomen) * Ancient Romans with the name: ** Publius Valerius Publicola (died 503 BC), Roman consul, co-founder of the Republic **Publius Clodius Pulcher (c. 93 BC – 52 BC), Republican politician * ...

, combined their armies against Pyrrhus of Epirus at the Battle of Asculum. Pyrrhus was victorious, but at such a high cost that the security of Asculum was guaranteed. This is the origin of the term "

Pyrrhic victory A Pyrrhic victory ( ) is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. Such a victory negates any true sense of achievement or damages long-term progress. The phrase originates from a quote from P ...

". According to one tradition, Decius died in the field; Tusculanae_Disputationes#Book_1 according to another, he survived. Both his father and grandfather had fallen in battle after performing the ritual of devotio before the troops, before rushing the enemy. According to one report, Mus was planning to do the same at Asculum.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Decius Mus, Publius 3rd-century BC Roman consuls Ancient Roman generals Mus, Publius Pyrrhic War