Battle of Pharsalus
Near Pharsalus, Greece (exact site debated)
What happened
Julius Caesar and his allies, including Mark Antony, faced Pompey the Great and the army of the Roman Senate. Titus Labienus commanded Pompey's cavalry. During Caesar's Civil War, Caesar's smaller army of veteran soldiers met Pompey's larger army near Pharsalus in Greece. Pompey's cavalry attacked, but Caesar revealed a hidden fourth line of infantry that surprised the horsemen and drove them back. Pompey's army broke and Pompey fled.
Why it matters
Result: Caesarian victory. Leaders: Julius Caesar / Mark Antony against Pompey / Titus Labienus. Why it matters: The battle did not end the civil war, but it was decisive. It took Caesar to the pinnacle of power, and historians see it as effectively ending the Roman Republic.
What came next
After the battle Caesar captured Pompey's camp and burned Pompey's correspondence. He announced that he would forgive all who asked for mercy, and Marcus Junius Brutus was among those welcomed by Caesar. Pompey fled to Egypt, where he died on the order of Ptolemy XIII. Caesar followed and reached Alexandria on 2 October 48 BCE.
Did you know?
After capturing Pompey's camp, Caesar burned Pompey's correspondence, so the letters were never used against anyone.
Timeline
- 48 BCECaesar crosses the Adriatic Sea to fight Pompey in Greece.
- July 48 BCEPompey's army defeats Caesar's at Dyrrhachium.
- 9 August 48 BCECaesar defeats Pompey at Pharsalus.
- 2 October 48 BCECaesar reaches Alexandria and learns Pompey is dead.