Battle of Pharsalus

Battle of Pharsalus
Part of Caesar's invasion of Macedonia during Caesar's Civil War
Date9 August 48 BC
Location39°22′15″N 22°20′01″E / 39.3707°N 22.3335°E / 39.3707; 22.3335
Result Caesarian victory
Territorial
changes
Most of the Eastern Roman provinces defect to Caesar[1]
Belligerents
Caesarians Pompeians
Commanders and leaders
Julius Caesar
Mark Antony
Gnaeus Domitius Calvinus
Publius Cornelius Sulla
Pompey
Titus Labienus
Metellus Scipio
Lucius Domitius 
Lucius Cornelius Lentulus
Units involved
  • Syrian legions
  • Cilician legions
  • Legio I
  • Legio III
  • Strength
    23,000+
    41,000–52,000+
    • c. 36,000–45,000 legionaries
    • 5,000–7,000 cavalry
    • Thousands of light infantry
    Casualties and losses
    200–1,200 killed 30,000–39,000[2][3][4][i]
    • 6,000–15,000 killed
    • 24,000 captured
    Battle of Pharsalus is located in Greece
    Battle of Pharsalus
    Location within Greece

    The Battle of Pharsalus was the decisive battle of Caesar's Civil War fought on 9 August 48 BC near Pharsalus in Central Greece. Julius Caesar and his allies formed up opposite the army of the Roman Republic under the command of Pompey.[6] Pompey had the backing of a majority of Roman senators and his army significantly outnumbered the veteran Caesarian legions.

    Pressured by his officers, Pompey reluctantly engaged in battle and suffered an overwhelming defeat, ultimately fleeing the camp and his men, disguised as an ordinary citizen. Eventually making his way to Egypt, he was assassinated upon his arrival at the order of Ptolemy XIII.[7]

    1. ^ History, Military (8 July 2019). "The Battle of Pharsalus, 9 August 48 BC | The Past". the-past.com. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
    2. ^ "Battle of Pharsalus | Summary, Facts, & Significance | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
    3. ^ "Pharsalus (48 BCE) – Livius". www.livius.org. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
    4. ^ History, Military (8 July 2019). "The Battle of Pharsalus, 9 August 48 BC". the-past.com. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
    5. ^ Caesar, BC III 99,1.
    6. ^ "The Battle of Pharsalus". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
    7. ^ Goldsworthy, p. 431.


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