Today in History - 9th August
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Today in History - 9th August9th August 48 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Pompey at Battle of Pharsalus2073 years ago today, the armies of Julius Caesar and Pompey met at Pharsalus, Greece, in the decisive battle of the pair's civil war. Despite being outnumbered, Caesar secured a crushing victory, with Pompey being forced to flee to Egypt, where he would be assassinated within 2 months. Pompey and Caesar had once been allies, dominating Roman politics as part of a triumvirate with Marcus Licinius Crassus, Rome's richest man. However, in 53 BC the alliance unraveled, with Crassus being killed on a military campaign in Syria in 53 BC and the Senate (of which Pompey was the most influential figure) becoming alarmed at how successful and popular Caesar was as Governor of Gaul. By 50 BC, Caesar's governorship of Gaul was due to end, and the Senate refused to extend his term, demanding that he return to Rome. However, Caesar was aware that if he returned to the city as a private citizen he would be prosecuted for alleged abuses of power. Therefore, he decided to return with an army, and he and his troops famously crossed the Rubicon River and marched towards Rome in 49 BC, effectively declaring war on Pompey and the Senate. Pompey subsequently fled for Southern Italy, before crossing the Adriatic Sea to Greece. Meanwhile, Caesar put down Pompeian forces in Spain, before capturing their stronghold of Massilia (modern day Marseilles). The following year it looked as if the tide of the war was beginning to turn in Pompey's favour, as Caesar arrived in Greece with an army short of supplies, and in July, Caesar was beaten at the Battle of Dyrrhachium. However, Pompey was unable to capitalise on the victory, and the following month Caesar's forces were victorious at Pharsalus. With Pompey out of the way, Caesar was able to secure his power over the Roman Republic, spending the next few years putting down the limited resistance that remained, before being appointed dictator for life by the Senate in 44 BC. Follow our Instagram - @historic.jokes |
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