Publius Decius Mus

Who is Publius Decius Mus?

Publius Decius Mus was a Roman politician and general. 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, 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. According to one tradition, Decius died in the field; according to another, he survived.