The Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC): Caesar, Pompey and their Final Clash in the Third Roman Civil War

Gareth Sampson examines the campaigns which led up to the battle as well as the role played by the various regional powers who got drawn into the Roman Civil War.In August 48 BC, following the earlier battle at Dyrrhachium, the two greatest Roman commanders of their generation met in battle again at Pharsalus in Greece. Julius Caesar, conqueror of Gaul, had been defeated at Dyrrhachium and forced to retreat but now stood at bay to face Pompey the Great, conqueror of the East. At stake lay the future of the ailing Roman Republic, each man believing he alone had the solution to restoring Republican government.Gareth Sampson examines the campaigns which led up to the battle as well as the role played by the various regional powers who got drawn into the Roman Civil War. The Battle of Pharsalus itself is analyzed in detail to determine the strengths and weakness of both armies and their various commanders, as well as the organization, equipment and tactics of the forces involved in the battle which culminated in a decisive victory for Caesar. The author concludes with consideration of the aftermath of the battle, which saw Pompey murdered in Egypt and Caesar distracted by the affairs of the East. In August 48 BC, following the earlier battle at Dyrrhachium, the two greatest Roman commanders of their generation met in battle again at Pharsalus in Greece. Julius Caesar, conqueror of Gaul, had been defeated at Dyrrhachium and forced to retreat but now stood at bay to face Pompey the Great, conqueror of the East. At stake lay the future of the ailing Roman Republic, each man believing he alone had the solution to restoring Republican government. Gareth Sampson examines the campaigns which led up to the battle as well as the role played by the various regional powers who got drawn into the Roman Civil War. The Battle of Pharsalus itself is analyzed in detail to determine the strengths and weakness of both armies and their various commanders, as well as the organization, equipment and tactics of the forces involved in the battle which culminated in a decisive victory for Caesar. The author concludes with consideration of the aftermath of the battle, which saw Pompey murdered in Egypt and Caesar distracted by the affairs of the East. Cover Book Title pagee Copyright page Contents Acknowledgements List of Illustrations Maps & Diagrams Introduction The Battle of Pharsalus: Winners, Losers and the Judgment of History Timeline: Pre-Third Civil War (70–49 bc) Notes on Roman Names Section I The Early Campaigns of the Third Civil War (49–48 bc) Chapter One The Third Civil War & The Western Republic (49 bc) Chapter Two Pompeius Victorious – The Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 bc) Section II The Pharsalan Campaign (48 bc) Chapter Three From Dyrrhachium to Pharsalus Chapter Four The Battle of Pharsalus (Palaepharsalus) (48 bc) Plates Section Section III Aftermath & Consequences (48 bc) Chapter Five The Impact of Pharsalus on the other Campaigns Chapter Six Responding to Victory, Recovering from Defeat Chapter Seven The Civil War Without its Architect Appendix I Who’s Who in the Third Roman Civil War (48 bc) Appendix II How Many Civil Wars? Notes Bibliography Index Back cover