Battle
Marc Antony’s arrival meant Caesar was ready for battle. However Pompey’s impeccable position atop a hill with water on 2 sides meant an all-out assault would be futile. Pompey knew this and did not attack but instead tried to wait him out, hoping his resources would deplete. They danced around like this for a while, both trying to out maneuver the other and with enough time, Pompey and his superior resources most likely would have prevailed. However, pressure from Pompey’s senators caused him to engage Caesar for a more direct victory and on August 9th, 48 BCE, the Battle of Pharsalus began.
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The Battle of Pharsalus was supposed to be a very one sided battle. Pompey not only had more troops and better supplies but he also had the higher ground. This gave Pompey a huge advantage against Caesars weary soldiers.
When they finally met on the battlefield, Pompey had his legions placed strategically so that his most experienced troops were on the outsides. The battle happened on the edge of the river Enipeus, so that Caesars right side and Pompey’s left side were against the river. This caused Pompey to place his cavalry on his left side opposite the river, so there would be more room for an open charge.
Caesars original plan had his troops positioned similar to Pompey’s. On Caesars left flank he had his 9th legion led by Marc Antony. It was positioned very close to the 8th legion which was located to the right of the 9th, near the middle of the battlefield. On the right flank Caesar put his 10th legion, led by Sulla, which was supported by his cavalry. Once Caesar saw the battlefield and how outnumbered he was, he made some adjustments.
Caesar took six cohorts from the third line of his legions and made a fourth line behind the cavalry on the right flank. This was risky, seeing as they were already outnumbered and a direct attack from the front would probably break them. As the fourth line formed, Caesar explained to them the situation. He said that the battle would depend on their bravery and that anything short of victory would mean death. This invigorated his new fourth line and as soon as they were in position, he gave the signal to charge.
There was quite a bit of distance between the two armies and Caesars troops were also running up a hill. Pompey saw this and instead of meeting Caesars troops halfway as was customary, he let his troops wait so that when Caesars troops made it up the hill they would be tired and weak. This is where Caesar caught a break. Some of his veteran soldiers saw this and called for a halt halfway to Pompey’s troops so they could rest and reform their lines. When they finally did attack, Pompey then deployed his cavalry on his left flank. They outnumbered Caesars cavalry immensely and began to drive them back. This is when Caesar’s fourth line emerged. They came from behind the cavalry on the right flank and drove back the attacking cavalry with their pila, which were very effective against horses. This surprised the cavalry, and they fled. Caesar saw this and directed his troops to attack this newly exposed left flank. This sudden change in Caesars favor decided the battle and caused the rest of Pompey’s troops to retreat.
Pompey saw this and despaired, throwing off his general’s cloak and fleeing for his life. He told his men to secure the camp and he fled straight for the sea. Caesar however kept pressing on. Despite his victory he controlled his celebrating troops and led them to Pompey’s camp. There was minimal resistance and most of Pompey’s troops ran to the local mountain. Caesar then mustered four legions to intercept the fleeing troops. He blocked their escape route and diverted the river, stopping the water supply to Pompey’s troops. He then gave them an option to surrender, which was quickly accepted.
When they finally met on the battlefield, Pompey had his legions placed strategically so that his most experienced troops were on the outsides. The battle happened on the edge of the river Enipeus, so that Caesars right side and Pompey’s left side were against the river. This caused Pompey to place his cavalry on his left side opposite the river, so there would be more room for an open charge.
Caesars original plan had his troops positioned similar to Pompey’s. On Caesars left flank he had his 9th legion led by Marc Antony. It was positioned very close to the 8th legion which was located to the right of the 9th, near the middle of the battlefield. On the right flank Caesar put his 10th legion, led by Sulla, which was supported by his cavalry. Once Caesar saw the battlefield and how outnumbered he was, he made some adjustments.
Caesar took six cohorts from the third line of his legions and made a fourth line behind the cavalry on the right flank. This was risky, seeing as they were already outnumbered and a direct attack from the front would probably break them. As the fourth line formed, Caesar explained to them the situation. He said that the battle would depend on their bravery and that anything short of victory would mean death. This invigorated his new fourth line and as soon as they were in position, he gave the signal to charge.
There was quite a bit of distance between the two armies and Caesars troops were also running up a hill. Pompey saw this and instead of meeting Caesars troops halfway as was customary, he let his troops wait so that when Caesars troops made it up the hill they would be tired and weak. This is where Caesar caught a break. Some of his veteran soldiers saw this and called for a halt halfway to Pompey’s troops so they could rest and reform their lines. When they finally did attack, Pompey then deployed his cavalry on his left flank. They outnumbered Caesars cavalry immensely and began to drive them back. This is when Caesar’s fourth line emerged. They came from behind the cavalry on the right flank and drove back the attacking cavalry with their pila, which were very effective against horses. This surprised the cavalry, and they fled. Caesar saw this and directed his troops to attack this newly exposed left flank. This sudden change in Caesars favor decided the battle and caused the rest of Pompey’s troops to retreat.
Pompey saw this and despaired, throwing off his general’s cloak and fleeing for his life. He told his men to secure the camp and he fled straight for the sea. Caesar however kept pressing on. Despite his victory he controlled his celebrating troops and led them to Pompey’s camp. There was minimal resistance and most of Pompey’s troops ran to the local mountain. Caesar then mustered four legions to intercept the fleeing troops. He blocked their escape route and diverted the river, stopping the water supply to Pompey’s troops. He then gave them an option to surrender, which was quickly accepted.
This video displays how the Battle of Pharsalus was a decisive battle of Caesar's Civil War. With Caesar being greatly outnumbered by Pompey's men, Caesar devised a plan that laid the foundations for a victory to mark the end of the Roman Empire.