Battle of Munda
Probably near La Lantejuela, Andalusia, Spain
What happened
Julius Caesar, with allied Mauretanian cavalry under King Bogud, fought the Pompeian army of Gnaeus Pompeius (son of Pompey) and Titus Labienus. Even after his victories in Greece and Africa, Caesar still faced Pompey's sons in Spain. The Pompeians held a hill near Munda, and Caesar ordered a frontal attack; the fighting lasted about eight hours with neither side winning. When Mauretanian cavalry struck the Pompeian rear, the Pompeian soldiers thought Labienus was retreating, and their army broke and fled.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended organised military resistance to Caesar and was the last major battle of his civil war. Caesar returned to Rome in triumph and was made dictator for life.
What came next
Gnaeus Pompeius was caught and killed soon after. On 15 March 44 BCE, the Ides of March, Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators.
Did you know?
Caesar chose 'Venus' as his army's password for the battle, after the goddess he claimed as his ancestor.
Timeline
- 10 January 49 BCECaesar crosses the Rubicon.
- 48 BCECaesar defeats Pompey at Pharsalus.
- 46 BCECaesar wins at Thapsus.
- 17 March 45 BCECaesar wins at Munda.
- 15 March 44 BCECaesar is assassinated.