Pyrrhus Saved by Androclides and Angelus. A.M. 3658.

WAG 7713

Information

This is one of a group of drawings by British artist and book illustrator Edward Francis Burney, depicting scenes from Greek and Roman history and mythology. In Greek legend, Pyrrhus (319 - 272 BCE) was the son of King Aeacides of Epirus. He features in the writing of the Greek biographer Plutarch. When Pyrrhus was an infant, Aeacides was driven from the throne and kingdom by his subjects. Pyrrhus was rescued by Androclides and Angelus, two of Aeacides' officers, along with servants and wetnurses who remained faithful to the king. Here they are attempting to enlist help by sending a message attached to a javelin across the river to Megara.