d. The
others laughed at this, but the soothsayer Theodotus, who was
conducting the sacrifice forbad Pyrrhus to swear, saying that Heaven
by this portended the death of one of the three kings who were there
met together. Pyrrhus therefore refused to ratify the peace.

VII. Alexander now was in a fair way to succeed, when he was joined by
Demetrius, who was evidently unwelcome, and a dangerous ally. Before
many days had passed the two princes, from mutual distrust, began to
plot against each other. Demetrius, seizing his opportunity,
assassinated the youthful Alexander, and proclaimed himself king of
Macedonia. He had before this been on bad terms with Pyrrhus, who had
made incursions into Thessaly, and the usual disease of princes,
grasping covetousness, had made them suspicious and quarrelsome
neighbours, especially since the death of Deidameia. Now, however, as
they both claimed Macedonia, they were brought into direct collision,
and Demetrius, after mating a campaign in AEtolia and leaving
Pantauchus with a large force to guard his conquests there, himself
marched against Pyrrhus. Pyrrhus, as soon as he heard of this,
proceeded to meet him, but by a mistake in the road they passed by one
another, so that Demetrius invaded Epirus and ravaged the country
there, and Pyrrhus, falling in with Pantauchus, fought a battle with
him. The struggle was a long and severe one, especially near where the
generals fought, for Pantauchus, who was admitted to be the strongest
and bravest of the generals of Demetrius, in the pride of his heart
challenged Pyrrhus to a single combat, while Pyrrhus, who yielded to
none of the kings of the age in strength and courage, and who wished
to be thought a true son of Achilles by valour as well as by descent,
rushed forward beyond the front ranks to meet Pantauchus. They fought
with spears at first, and then, drawing their swords, contended hand
to hand with equal skill and courage. Pyrrhus received one hurt, but
he wounded Pantauchus in the thigh and in the throat, and overthrew
him. Pyrrhus did not slay him, however, as he was rescued by his
friends. The Epirots, elated at their king's victory, and filled with
enthusiasm by his courage, bore everything before them, routed the
phalanx of the Macedonians, and pursued the fugitives, of whom they
slew many and took five thousand prisoners.

VIII. The Macedonians who had witnessed the exploits of Pyrrhus were
struck with admiration, and perhaps fou