110 - Caesar's Civil War II: Bloody Pharsalia

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Jul 12, 2025

Explore the gripping saga of Julius Caesar's Civil War as he faces Pompey's massive army in Greece. Delve into Caesar's revolutionary reforms and the daring challenges of crossing the Adriatic. Witness the tension of the siege at Dyrrhachium and the disastrous defeat that nearly halted his rise. The pivotal Battle of Pharsalus looms, where strategic decisions and loyalty lead to unprecedented bloodshed. Reflect on the profound impact of these moments on the Roman Republic, showcasing how one man's choices can alter the course of history.

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INSIGHT

Caesar's Inclusive Empire Vision

Caesar's citizenship grants aimed to reward loyal communities and weaken established aristocratic networks.
He viewed Rome as a growing empire needing inclusive governance, not just a city-state ruling subjects.

ANECDOTE

Caesar's Secret Solo Crossing

Caesar disguised himself as a slave and risked a dangerous river crossing alone to reach his troops.
This demonstrated both his boldness and leadership paradox: supreme confidence balanced with reality checks.

INSIGHT

Siege Strategy and Soldier Resolve

Caesar's 17-mile circumvallation siege aimed to force Pompey into battle by cutting supplies and lowering morale.
His soldiers endured extreme hardship with unwavering discipline and optimism for victory.

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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!)

Thanks to our sponsor, Ai Labs. Visit austinlab.ai to chat with a team member about custom Agentic AI power solutions for your SMB to Enterprise level business. Powered by Shokworks.

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