Publius Decius Mus (consul 279 BC)

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. (Hence the term "Pyrrhic victory".) According to one tradition, Decius died in the field; according to another, he survived.

Preceded by
Publius Valerius Laevinus and Tiberius Coruncanius
Consul of the Roman Republic
with Publius Sulpicius Saverrio
279 BC
Succeeded by
Gaius Fabricius Luscinus and Quintus Aemilius Papus