Battle of Pharsale

The battles of Pharsale took place in Thessalie, close to the city of the same name, the August 9th 48 before J. - C, during the Roman civil war which enclosed the République. César took a decisive advantage there on Pompée, its troops and the Senate.

The battle

César camps in the north of the Enipeus river, in Thessalie. The camp of Pumped is with 5 kilometers in the North-West. After long operations to take the best positions, the two armies end up lining up in line of battle.

Thanks to its superiority in cavalry Pompée wants to take the right wing of César of side. Indeed, it tenth legion, preferred of César with which it with the practice to fight, is on this site. To decimate this legion would be an exploit for Pompée. César against by reinforcing its cavalry of 8 troops. It gives the order to these reinforcements to strike with the face the cavalry of Pumped which will come to the load. This in order to frighten the riders, which are especially young mercenaries not wanting to be disfigured.

The two armies approach. Arrived at range of load, Pompée does not order the load, it hopes that the soldiers of César who will have to charge at a double distance will arrive exhausted on its troops. But the veterans of César ventilate the trap and stop halfway to reorganize. The lines of battle come into contact, the combat is equal, neither the troops of César nor that of Pumped manage to break the unfavourable line. The cavalry of Pumped pushes back that of César, but the 8 troops of support placed by César charge and disperse the riders of Pumped. The cavalry of César continues the cavalry of Pumped and the troops of support attack with reverse the left side of the army of Pumped.

Virtually encircled the army of Pumped is destroyed on the spot.

Continuations

Pumped flees in Egypt where he will be assassinated, while Metellus Scipion and Caton leaves in Africa to recreate an army. Cicéron, which had not taken share with the engagements goes to César, like Brutus.

César must continue its fight in Africa.

Literary posterity

The episode gave its name to a text of Lucain: De Bello civili sive Pharsalia (Pharsale or of the Civil war), undoubtedly the Latin epopee most famous after the Énéide .

A novel of Claude Simon also carries for title the Battle of Pharsale .

Sources

Jules César, Comments on the Civil war , delivers III, 85 to 99
Appien, Civil wars , delivers II, 76 to 82
Plutarque, Vie of Pumped , 74
Dion Cassius, Histoires, delivers, 58-62

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