Battle of Pharsalus: What Happened
On 9 August 48 BC, Julius Caesar defeated his great rival Pompey the Great at Pharsalus in Thessaly, in the decisive battle of the Roman civil war. The war had begun in 49 BC when Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his army and marched on Rome. Pompey and much of the Senate fled to Greece, where Pompey assembled a large army. Pompey had around twice as many soldiers as Caesar and a much stronger cavalry force. His plan was to use his cavalry to sweep around Caesar's right flank. Caesar anticipated this and secretly placed a fourth line of his best infantry behind his cavalry. When Pompey's horsemen charged and pushed back Caesar's cavalry, they ran into these troops, who used their javelins as thrusting spears aimed at the riders. The cavalry panicked and fled, and Caesar's forces then attacked Pompey's army from the flank. Pompey fled to Egypt, where he was murdered on the orders of the young king Ptolemy XIII. The battle made Caesar the master of the Roman world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Battle of Pharsalus?
The Battle of Pharsalus, on 9 August 48 BC, was the decisive battle of the Roman civil war, in which Julius Caesar defeated Pompey the Great in Thessaly.
Why did Caesar and Pompey fight in Greece?
After Caesar crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC, Pompey and much of the Senate fled to Greece, where Pompey assembled a large army to fight Caesar.
How did Caesar win at Pharsalus?
Caesar secretly placed a line of his best infantry behind his cavalry. When Pompey's horsemen attacked, these troops routed them and then attacked Pompey's army from the flank.
What happened to Pompey after Pharsalus?
Pompey fled to Egypt, where he was murdered on the orders of the young king Ptolemy XIII, who hoped to win Caesar's favor.
Where is Pharsalus today?
Pharsalus is the modern town of Farsala in Thessaly, central Greece. The exact location of the battlefield nearby is still debated by historians.
