For those who might not be familiar with the term, a Pyrrhic victory is
technically a win, but the results of the victory or the casualties
incurred in the process of achieving the victory are absolutely
devastating to the victor, either physically or emotionally, to the
point where calling the campaign a victory is arguable depending on the
observer’s perspective.Pyrrhic victories are popular in works that take place in a darker or
more cynical setting. They pop up in almost all of Shakespeare’s
tragedies (Hamlet is a great example), and a good deal of post-apocalyptic literature will feature at least one Pyrrhic victory.