The Battle of Pharsalus, fought on August 9, 48 BCE, was the defining clash in the Roman Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. Set near Pharsalus in central Greece, this confrontation determined the future of the Roman Republic and solidified Julius Caesar’s path to dictatorship.
After the breakdown of the First Triumvirate, tensions between Caesar and Pompey escalated into open war. Pompey had the backing of the Senate and commanded a massive army, while Caesar’s forces were smaller but highly disciplined. Before Pharsalus, Caesar had pursued Pompey across Italy and into Greece, where Pompey gathered a larger force consisting of around 45,000 infantry and 7,000 cavalry, compared to Caesar’s 22,000–30,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry.
Pompey, believing his superior numbers gave him an advantage, chose to fight defensively from high ground, waiting for Caesar to engage. His strategy relied on using his cavalry to outflank Caesar’s troops and crush them. However, Caesar anticipated this move and stationed a hidden line of veteran infantry behind his cavalry.
As the battle began, Pompey’s cavalry attacked, attempting to outflank Caesar’s right wing. Caesar’s concealed infantry, however, counterattacked, causing Pompey’s cavalry to flee in disarray. With Pompey’s flank exposed, Caesar ordered a full assault, and his legions advanced, driving Pompey’s forces from the field.
The battle ended with a complete victory for Caesar, with Pompey’s army shattered and thousands of his soldiers either killed or captured. Pompey fled to Egypt, where he was later assassinated. The victory at Pharsalus left Caesar in control of Rome’s destiny and set the stage for his eventual rise to dictatorship.
Sources:
https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Pharsalus/
https://www.livius.org/articles/battle/pharsalus-48-bce/
https://www.ancient.eu/Battle_of_Pharsalus/
Battle of Pharsalus
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