July 26, 2020 Vol. 43 No. 30

1375 W. Old Hickory Boulevard - Nashville, Tennessee 37207-1499 615.865.6979 ~ News Update 615.860.0521 www.NorthsideNashville.com ~ [email protected]

The

The term “” is named for the ancient ruler of , King Pyrrhus, who went down in history for winning a string of major against Rome and but still losing the war he was fighting. The conflict, known as the Pyrrhic War, began in 281 BCE when the 38-year-old monarch from western Greece offered to lend his support to Tarentum, a city-state in southern at odds with the burgeoning . Pyrrhus’ interest in protecting the people of Tarentum was based on more than mere altruism — by thrashing Rome and saving small city, the monarch would gain a foothold in Italy from which he could realize his own imperial ambitions. The following year, the would-be emperor crossed the Adriatic with an army of 25,000 men and a secret weapon: 20 war elephants on loan from Ptolemy II of . Pyrrhus sent word to the Romans that he was in Italy with his army to mediate the dispute with Tarentum. Rome refused all invitations to the peace table and instead attacked with 30,000 men. The two armies met at Heraclea, just west of Tarentum. The ensuing saw Greek phalanx and fight each other to a bloody stalemate. At one point, fearing for his safety, Pyrrhus traded his distinctive royal battle armor for the less conspicuous panoply of one of his lieutenants. It was a fortuitous decision. The Romans, assumed the figure in the gilded breastplate was the enemy king and slew the aide. Believing their rule was dead, the Epirians panicked. Only by stripping off his helmet and riding along the Greek lines was Pyrrhus able to restore his soldiers’ confidence. With the Romans pressing the advantage, the Hellenic monarch finally unleashed his elephants. The legions and their supporting cavalry were reportedly terrified by the enormous creatures, the likes of which they had never seen, and stampeded from the field. Some estimates peg the Roman losses at 15,000. The triumphant Greeks sustained as many as 11,000 dead and wounded. Although the defeat was a stinging one for Rome, to the victorious Pyrrhus who was operating far from his homeland, the losses were far more devastating. In fact, the king was suddenly so short handed, his bid to march on Rome itself would have to be abandoned. Two years later, the Greek ruler rebuilt his army using Macedonian troops and other units from the Ionian Peninsula. With 40,000 men under his command, Pyrrhus set out again to conquer Italy. A two-day battle ensued at . Once more, the elephants broke up the Roman line and sent the legions scurrying. Rome left 8,000 dead or wounded behind. The Greek casualties were much lighter at nearly 4,000. Yet the hard-fought battle had again exhausted Pyrrhus. “One more victory like that and we’re finished,” he famously declared. Unable to press on, the Greek king petitioned Rome for a ceasefire. They refused. He next sought an alliance with Carthage but was again rebuffed. Worse, both the Romans and Carthaginians actually joined forces against the Epirian ruler. Unable to maintain his territories in Italy, Pyrrhus set out instead to snatch new lands on . After winning repeatedly against the Carthaginians there, the cost of his victories once more proved too great — Pyrrhus withdrew. A final gambit in 275 BCE saw the Greek ruler with 20,000 remaining troops suffer humiliation at Maleventum. Pyrrhus soon quit Italy entirely with small a fraction of the men he had set out with years earlier. He died three years later in Greece after being struck on the head by a terra cotta roofing tile. While Pyrrhus had won almost all of his battles against the Rome and Carthage, he gained nothing in more than six years of war. Fruitless victories from then on would bear his name.

This week’s chapter is: John 1

Visit our Website on Wednesday for a mid-week blog post Northsidenashville.com/stay-strong-blog

If you would like to join our blog writing team, email [email protected].

If you have a prayer request, call the office or Sunday, August 2nd email [email protected]. Prayer: Charlie Herndon Scripture Reading: Caleb Tolbert Marsha Herndon ~ prayers for heath concerns Communion Leader: Paul Oakley **If you unable to serve, please contact the Beverly Wright-Wibking ~ at her son’s house following a brief church office ASAP. hospital stay due to a fall. Barbara Jewell ~ home following a brief hospital stay. Golden Age Scholarship Applications are due Deanna DeBerry ~ home Sunday, August 2nd. Applications were emailed last week. Contact the office if you did receive one. Marilyn Stewart ~ prayers Larry Rivers, brother of Marilyn Stewart, ~ recovering from hip replacement surgery due to a fall. Volunteer Needed Phyllis Brasher is looking for a day time sitter. If you are Phyllis Brasher ~ temporarily at Mary’s home, her daughter. interested, please contact Phyllis.

August 9th Join us during Worship Service as we honor our seniors. Following services you are invited to a Ladies Retreat has been postponed till the Spring of 2021. walk-thru send off in the gym. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Ladies Day ~ October 17th More details to come.

Friends and Heirlooms Thursday, August 13, 6:30 p.m., room 107. Bring a friend and COOL OFF August with an Welcome to our new Sister in Christ easy mini SNOWMAN craft. Continue your Cara Dennis who was baptized last Sunday. head start on Christmas with a bonus second Cara is the daughter of Gregory & Kristie. project! BRING glue gun. For distancing purposes, class is limited to 10, so sign list Cara Dennis on bulletin board and pay $5 kit fee at class. See Jean Hooper 1902 Lathan Ct with questions. Nashville, TN 37207

High School Senior Recognition ~ August 9th VBS Ladies Day ~ October 17th July 31st– August 2nd from 6-8pm 2 years old - 5th grade

SHEPHERDS: MINISTERS: FOR THE RECORD—Last Week James Kelley Jonathan Jones, II A.M. Worship…………..………………...... 134 Jim Pounders Chris Gannon Contribution …...………………….…………..……..$7527 Dennis Sellers Megan Swanger Lee Smith 2020 Average Attendance……..….…………………..313 Greg Tolbert 2020 Average Contribution………………………....$9138 Kenny Wyatt (sabbatical) SECRETARY: Weekly Budget—$10,500 Shannon Hudgins Diane Turpin