Battle of Pharsalus
| Battle of Pharsalus | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Caesar's invasion of Macedonia during Caesar's Civil War | |||||||||
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| 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 | |||||||||
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| Strength | |||||||||
23,000+
|
41,000–52,000+
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 200–1,200 killed |
30,000–39,000
| ||||||||
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. 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.