Page 27 - History of War - Issue 05-14

Caesar’s CIVIL WAR

In 49BC, the Senate declared Caesar an enemy of the The pair’s initial confrontation took place at Dyrrachium Pompey’s cause, Caesar turned his attention to the last
state and called upon Pompey the Great to take up arms in present-day Albania, where Caesar was defeated, remaining threat in Carthage. He travelled around the
against him. Caesar responded by marching on Rome. losing more than a thousand veterans in the process. Mediterranean, gathering his legions for the final push
Initially only able to assemble around 15,000 raw recruits, But Pompey failed to capitalise on this success, and against General Scipio, who had significant forces there.
Pompey abandoned Rome to Caesar and withdrew his when the two armies again locked horns on 9 August At Thapsus in 46BC – even though his forces were
army to Greece. 48BC at the Battle of Pharsalus, Caesar prevailed. slightly outnumbered and up against the might of
There, Pompey began to assemble a vast force with Despite being outnumbered two to one, he managed to elephant infantry, the equivalent of tanks on the ancient
which to retake Rome. Caesar needed to move quickly. outsmart his former ally. Predicting that Pompey would battlefield – Caesar would again prove irresistible.
He marched west to Spain, where several legions loyal attempt a cavalry attack on his right-flank, Caesar Without orders, his trumpeters signalled the attack
to Pompey were garrisoned. He reached them in just concealed a large force of legionnaires there to mount early. This prompted Caesar’s archers to open up and
27 days, and defeated them within a couple of weeks. an ambush. Pompey’s cavalry were surprised and wiped his frontline to move forward. Scipio’s army broke
Caesar now turned his armies east, and set out to out, causing panic throughout Pompey’s ranks. The rest ranks immediately and began retreating, so Caesar
take on Pompey. Gathering his troops at the heel of Italy, of his army then abandoned the field and their General unleashed the rest of his force, causing Scipio’s elephant
he prepared to sail across the Adriatic Sea to Greece. fled to Egypt, where he was later assassinated. infantry to run amok. The entire army was routed within
Pompey, however, had taken control of the waterway After marching through Syria and present-day minutes. The war officially ended the following year
and Caesar only managed to land a force of 20,000. Turkey, easily defeating the local Kings still loyal to and Caesar returned home to claim his prize – Rome.

© MarkChurms.com 2004. All Rights Reserved Caesar proudly leads his

men to another victory

58BC 55BC 54BC 49BC 48BC 46BC 44BC
Hungry for power Caesar makes his He launches a second In arguably the most Pharsalus in Greece is Caesar takes part The Roman leader
and determined to first excursion to assault on Britain. pivotal act of his the scene of the final in his final military meets a grisly end
expand the Roman Britain. His troops land After making some career, Caesar leads showdown between engagement, at the at the hands of The
Republic, Caesar at Deal in Kent, but gains, he retreats to his troops across Caesar and Pompey. Battle of Thapsus, Liberators, a group
leads an army of men the campaign is cut Rome for the winter. the Rubicon River After Pompey’s army is a brief skirmish of Senators – led by
west to begin his short by bad weather. to engage Pompey, destroyed, he flees to that results in an Brutus – who have
conquest of Gaul. starting a civil war that Egypt, but is murdered overwhelming victory. become disillusioned
will last four years. on his arrival. with his rule.

HISTORY WAR 27
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