Battle of Pharsalus
The Battle of Pharsalus, fought in 48 BCE, was a pivotal confrontation during the Roman civil war between Julius Caesar and the senatorial forces led by Pompey the Great. Occurring in southern Thessaly, the battle saw Pompey's significantly larger army of 57,000 facing off against Caesar's 24,000 troops. Strategically, Pompey positioned his infantry centrally, with considerable cavalry support, while Caesar arranged his legions in multiple lines to counteract potential flanking maneuvers. As the battle unfolded, Caesar's forces effectively disrupted Pompey's cavalry, leading to a decisive attack that overwhelmed Pompey's infantry. The outcome was catastrophic for Pompey, with approximately 15,000 of his troops killed and around 23,000 captured. Caesar's victory at Pharsalus significantly altered the power dynamics of Rome, leading to his dominance in the Republic and the eventual assassination of Pompey. Despite Caesar’s triumph, conflicts with Pompey's remaining allies continued until 45 BCE, illustrating the ongoing turmoil of the era.
Battle of Pharsalus
Related civilization: Republican Rome.
Date: August 9, 48 b.c.e.
Locale: Southern Thessaly
Background
In January, 49 b.c.e., civil war erupted in the Roman Republic between Julius Caesar and senatorial forces led by Pompey the Great. The following year, the armies of the two great opponents clashed in a climactic battle near the community of Pharsalus in southern Thessaly.
Action
Pompey and a Republican army of 57,000 men engaged a force of 24,000 under the command of Caesar. Pompey placed his infantry in the center, with the right wing anchored on the Enipeus River and the left protected by a massive concentration of cavalry. Caesar deployed his nine legions in three lines, with a fourth line detached on the right in anticipation of a flank assault by Pompeian cavalry. As the opposing infantry engaged, the expected attack by Pompey’s cavalry on the Caesarian right was decisively shattered by the detached infantry formation, which then attacked on the flank and rear of Pompey’s main force of infantry. This action, combined with a fresh assault by Caesar’s front line, collapsed all resistance. In the battle and ensuing rout, 15,000 Republican troops were killed, and some 23,000 taken captive.
Consequences
After his victory at Pharsalus and the subsequent assassination of Pompey by Ptolemy XIII of Egypt, Caesar had largely gained mastery of Rome, though fighting continued against Pompey’s senatorial allies until 45 b.c.e.
Bibliography
Dodge, Theodore A. Caesar. Mechanicsburg, Pa.: Stackpole Books, 1995.
Lucan. The Civil War. Translated by Nicholas Rowe. London: Everyman, 1998.