The Bloodshed of Pharsalus: A Turning Point in Roman Civil War

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Part 2 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. After his lightning conquest of Italy, Caesar faces his greatest challenge yet as Pompey masses a vast army in Greece. In this episode:

• Caesar's second dictatorship and revolutionary reforms in Rome—citizenship grants, debt relief, and restoration of the proscribed
• The dangerous winter crossing of the Adriatic, splitting his forces against Pompey's naval supremacy
• The siege of Dyrrhachium and Caesar's ambitious 17-mile circumvallation to trap Pompey
• The catastrophic defeat that nearly ended Caesar's career—his worst loss yet
• The brilliant strategic retreat showcasing the iron discipline of Caesar's veterans
• Young Curio's tragic death in Africa, highlighting Caesar's reliance on inexperienced lieutenants
• The fateful convergence at Pharsalus as both armies march into Thessaly
• The decisive moment when Caesar's hidden fourth line shattered Pompey's cavalry charge
• The fall of the Roman Republic as 15,000 Romans died by Roman swords

Caesar's own account reveals a commander pushed to his absolute limits, saved only by the loyalty of soldiers who would "rather eat tree bark than let Pompey slip through our fingers." The battle that destroyed the old Republic hinged on a single morning's decisions, proving that world history sometimes turns on the choices of one man in command. As Caesar stood over the carnage at Pharsalus, he reportedly said: "This is what they chose. After so many deeds in the service of my country, they would have me, Julius Caesar, condemned as a criminal, unless I sought the protection of an army."

Works Cited: Gareth Sampson, The Battle of Pharsalus Matthias Gelzer, Caesar: Politician and Statesman James Froude, Caesar: A Sketch, Raaflaub (ed.) Landmark Caesar. (Affiliate links - support the show!)

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Also Thanks Dr. Richard Johnson, the Crassus to this Caesar series!