the middle under the command of Scipio the Spaniards whom Pompey most rely'd upon on the Right under Domitius Aenobarbus and on the Left was Pompey himself with the two Legions Caesar had restor'd at the beginning of the War under Lentulus The rest were in the same Order between Scipio's Legions and the Wings only the Auxiliary Troops at least such as fought in Order compos'd the Body of Reserve for the others they were drawn out without Order upon the Left with the Archers Slingers and all the Cavalry the Right being fortify'd by a River Caesar left two Cohorts to guard his Camp and drew up in three Lines also in the same Order with Pompey the tenth Legion was upon the Right and the ninth upon the Left almost joyn'd to the eighth The rest of the Cohorts being drawn up between these Legions were on the Centre where Domitius Calvinus commanded Sylla having the Right Wing and Anthony the Left Caesar put himself at the Head of the tenth Legion whose Valour he had often experienc'd and with design to be opposite to Pompey who intended to fall suddenly upon the Flanks of Caesar's Troops but he soon perceiv'd it by the Order of his Battel and thereupon he drew six Cohorts out of all his Troops of which he compos'd a Body of Reserve He exactly instructed them in their Duty and above all gave them to understand That all the Hopes of Victory depended upon their Valour and Conduct alone Lastly he plac'd his Cavalry so as to cover the Right of the tenth Legion ordering over and above his third Line not to march till they receiv'd a Signal from him Now it was that the Fate of the vast Empire of Rome was to be decided by the greatest Generals the bravest Officers and the stoutest Soldiers in the World each Man almost being inspir'd with the Desire of conquering Gloriously or dying Honourably As the Armies approach'd the two Generals went from Rank to Rank encouraging their Soldiers Pompey represented to his Men The Iustice and Merit of his Cause the Advantage of their Numbers strengthen'd by the Assistance of so many Illustrious Senators and the Glory lately obtain'd at the Battel of Dyrrachium Caesar was contented only to demonstrate That he had endeavour'd by all possible Means to obtain an honourable Peace and if his Enemies had pleas'd they might have spar'd the Blood of so many brave Men. So seeing the Impatience of his Soldiers to fall on he gave the Signal of Battel the Word on Pompey's side was Hercules the Invincible that on Caesar's Venus the Victorious There was now only so much Space between the two Armies as was just sufficient for the Place of Battel but Pompey order'd his Men to receive the first Shock without moving from their Places Caesar's Soldiers seeing that like Men of Skill of their own accord made a Halt in the midst of their Carrier and after taking a little Breath ran furiously upon the Enemy first discharging their Javelins then drawing their Swords as Caesar had given 'em Orders Pompey's Men receiv'd the Charge without the least Disorder and falling on with their Javelins and Swords a cruel and bloody Battel ensu'd which for some time seem'd equal Then Pompey order'd his Cavalry to charge which with the multitude of Archers and Slingers soon oblig'd Caesar's Men to give ground and got themselves upon the Flank of his Army as they first design'd Whereupon Caesar immediately order'd the six Cohorts to advance which were his Body of Reserve to charge upon the Faces of the Enemy with their Pikes ported This Contrivance disorder'd those nice and esseminate Knights and the fear of spoiling their Faces put 'em into such Confusion that upon the Rallying of Caesar's Cavalry they were all broke in a Moment and the Slingers and Archers being thus abandon'd were all cut to pieces Caesar industriously following that Advantage advanc'd and charg'd Pompey's Troops upon the Flank which Charge they stood with great Resolution and the Allies bravely defended themselves when Caesar gave the Signal for his third Line to advance which fresh Troops pouring in upon Pompey's weary'd out and attack'd on all Sides easily broke ' em The Flight began among the Strangers tho' Pompey's Right Wing still valiantly maintain'd their Ground but Caesar causing his Men to cry out Kill the Strangers but save the Romans the Romans laid down their Arms and receiv'd Quarter but a miserable Slaughter was made among the Strangers who fled with all speed Caesar now finding the Victory certain and Pompey retreated to his Trenches cry'd out to his Men That they ought to pursue the Victory and take the Enemies Camp It was now Noon-day and tho' they were wearied out with the Extremity of the Heat yet upon seeing their General march a-foot at the Head of 'em they follow'd him with great Resolution and falling on with fresh Courage the Enemy all fled to the Mountains not far off Pompey himself was so extreamly dishearten'd and confounded that here he cou'd perform nothing worthy of his great Courage or Reputation but getting on Horse-back he fled to Larissa and from thence to the Sea Caesar found throughout the Camp much rich Furniture in the Tents Tables spread with fine Linen and Cubbords cover'd with Plate which sufficiently shew'd the Luxury and Assurance of the Enemy Caesar earnestly desir'd his Soldiers Not to amuse themselves with Plunder but to compleat this glorious Victory and by means of the great Respect they bore him he prevail'd So a Trench was immediately thrown up about the Mountain where the Enemy was retreated who wanting Water were forc'd to quit it and retire to Larissa Caesar immediately follow'd 'em with four Legions and after six Miles March drew up in Battalia which caus'd the Enemy to betake themselves to a high Hill at the Foot of which ran a River Now Night approaching Caesar's Men were almost spent and ready to faint with the incessant Toil of the whole Day yet still by his obliging Persuasions he prevail'd with 'em to cut off the Conveniency of Water from the Enemy by a Trench This immediately forc'd 'em to a Capitulation only some Senators made their Escape in the Dark The next Morning Caesar order'd all the Enemy to come down into the Plain and lay down their Arms which they obey'd and falling upon their Knees before him in the most suppliant Posture begg'd for Mercy which he granted 'em with all the Clemency and Kindness imaginable and commanded his Soldiers not to offer 'em the least Incivility nor plunder their Baggage Thus Caesar by his wonderful Skill and Courage and by the indefatigable Industry of his Soldiers obtain'd the most compleat tho' not the most bloody Victory that ever General in the World did 15000 of the Enemy being slain in Battel and 24000 surrender'd he himself losing a very inconsiderable Number In the mean time the great Pompey who just before had been the glorious Commander of Kings and all the
five considerable Towns and made several others Capitulate Caesar who spared no Pains to distress his Enemies threw up divers Intrenchments and Ditches in order to cut off the Water from their Camp and to make the Segre Fordable Afranius and Petreius dreading the success of this Enterprize after several Motions of both Armies resolv'd to reach Octogâ—sa situated on the Iberus where they had sent a Party before to lay a Bridge over In order to this Design they Decamped at Midnight but Caesar sent his Cavalry after 'em and oblig'd 'em to Ford the River before they cou'd come at their Bridge then leaving his Baggage in his Camp he suddenly crossâ—d the River with his Infantry and pursu'd em so close that they couâ—d neither reach their intended Place nor return to their former Camp By which means he reduc'd 'em to such extremities of Hunger and Drought that they were all oblig'd to yield to his Mercy without any Bloodshed Caesar to shew his kind and Generous Temper dismiss'd 'em all and satisfy'd 'em with incredible Courtesies such as were never practis'd elsewere towards Enemies And in a short time after he became Master of all Spain sending back his Enemies loaden with Shame and Obligations to publish his extraordinary Clemency and Valour while he himself departed for Marseilles which was then just upon the point of yielding Upon Caesar's arrival they capitulated During which time Domitius made his escape by Sea Caesar pardon'd the Inhabitants more upon the account of their Name and Antiquity as he told 'em than for any other Merit and leaving two Legions in Garrison he departed for Rome Upon his arrival there he was receiv'd with Great Satisfaction by most People and made Dictator by M. Lepidus the Praetor but finding this Office not well lik'd of he laid it down after holding of it 11 Days and caus'd himself to be chosen Consul with Servilius Isauricus His Design was now to procure himself as many Friends as possible in pursuance of which Purpose he preferr'd several favourable Laws the first was concerning the Borrowing of Money for the War which as it usually happens having ruin'd almost all Credit and render'd a great many Men incapable of Payment Caesar order'd that an Estimate should be made of Inheritances at the same Value they bore before the War and that Creditors should take them according to his Estimation by which means he took away the Fears of a General Bankrupcy and supported the Credit of the Debtors Besides he brought over to his Party all such as expected to be favour'd in this General Valuation which was the principal Design of the Law The other Law was for the calling home those who had been condemn'd during Pompey's presiding in the passing Sentences of Justice Caesar likewise made several other Ordinances and after having quitted the Name and Dignity of Dictator departed for Brundusium to go against Pompey before which time he receiv'd the bad News of the Defeat and Death of Curio whom he had sent against Vaâ—us Pompey's Lieutenant in Africk V. Pompey after his Departure from Italy into Epirus and Greece had made all possible Preparations for Resistance drawing over all the East to his Interest and during the time of Caesar's being at Rome and in Spain had gather'd together very powerful Armies both by Sea and Land His Land Forces consisted of 9 Italian Legions effective besides the two which Scipio his Brother-in-law brought him and the Auxiliaries from the Eastern Countries of 7000 Horse â—000 Archers and 8 Cohorts of Slingers These Troops were distributed into Dyrrachium and Apollonia and over all that Coast to oppose the coming down of Caesar. And more than this he had prepar'd a noble Fleet of 500 large Ships besides Gallies Brigantines and other lesser Vessels all which were commanded in chief by Bibulus who executed the Office of Admiral Besides these Forces Pompey had drawn great Summs of Money out of Asia and Greece and to recompence himself in some measure for the loss of Spain had caus'd Dalabella and Caius Antonius who Commanded for Caesar on the Coast of Illyricum to be attack'd and with that Success that the former was driven out and the latter taken These Advantages which daily kept up the Reputation of Pompey â—s Party still engagâ—d more Persons of Consideration to come and joyn themselves with him so that he found he had in his Camp above 200 Senators whereof he compos'd a Body and they Assembled themselves in the Form of a Senate With these M. Brutus had joynâ—d himself not for any Respect to Pompey whom he hated but that severe Vertue of which he made Profession and the Example of his Uncle and Father-in-Law Cato had ingagâ—d him in that Party which he thought had the most Justice on its side In one of their Assemblies by the Politick Advice of Cato it was determin'd That no Roman Citizen should be put to Death out of Battel and that no Town subject to the Roman Empire shouâ—d be Plunder'd In effect this Laudable Decree drew the Good Wishes of the People upon the Honourable Authors of it and gain'd the Reputation of great Justice and Humanity to their Designs and likewise was the Occasion that the Fortune of Caesar hung for a long time doubtful and was afterwards made use of to justifie his Death Notwithstanding these Disadvantages on Caesar's side he proceeded with an uncommon Vigour and undaunted Courage and rendezvouzing at Brundusium he without any Delay shipp'd off 5 of his 12 Legions which amounted to no more than 20000 Foot and 6000 Horse at this time the rest were oblig'd to stay behind for want of Shipping Caesar very much incourag'd his Men telling 'em what glorious Actions they were going to undertake and in spight of the Rigour of the Season upon the 4th of Ianuary he weigh'd Anchor This much surpris'd the Officers of Pompey's Fleet to find him venture so boldly through the Dangers both of the Weather and their Navies But Caesar tim'd it so well that he made his Passage in one Day and landed his Men at a place call'd Pharsalus not daring to venture into any known Port which he believ'd to be possess'd by the Enemy Having once got to Land he sent back all the Ships to transport the rest of his Legions under the Command of Calenus but in their Passage 30 of 'em fell into the hands of Bibulus Pompey's Admiral who sensible of his former Neglect in a great Passion set 'em all on Fire destroying both Owners and Seamen hoping by this Example to terrifie the rest and for the future he took more than ordinary Care in guarding the Coasts In the mean time Caesar took possession of Oricum and Apollonia which at the sight of his Troops surrender'd themselves by which means he cut off all Communication of Land from Bibulus as long as he staid to intercept his Fleet. Caesar still took care to justify his Actions and for that reason he sent Rufus whom
or die But Caesar thought it not convenient to put 'em to the Tryal till their Minds were setled therefore resolved to make a fair Retreat to Apollonia which he did with that Diligence that Pompey cou'd not overtake him only some of his Cavalry came up with Caesar's Reer but were repuls'd with Loss Caesar caus'd his Baggage to march before and his Advantage of being eight Hours before Pompey oblig d Pompey in four Days to give over his Pursuit and betake himself to other Resolutions Caesar was constrain'd to go to Apollonia to dispose of his sick and wounded Men and to muster his Army but fearing lest Pompey should surprize Domitius one of his Lieutenants now in Macedonia with three Legions he hastned with his utmost Diligence to joyn him Pompey perceiving which way he directed his March was in as great a Fear for Scipio now in Thessaly with the Syrian Legions and immediately set forward So each General march'd with all the Diligence imaginable both to secure their Friends and surprize their Enemies Pompey had the Advantage of the Shortness of the Way and Domitius very narrowly escap'd him who coming to Aeginium upon the Frontiers of Thessaly there happily joyn'd Caesar. Caesar seeing all his Forces together march'd directly to Gomphi the first Town in the Way from Epirus to Thessaly The Inhabitants who before had promis'd Caesar Obedience now chang'd their Minds as many others had done upon the Report of his being beaten being perswaded to it by the Praetors of Thessaly then in the City and after having sent to Scipio and Pompey for Succour caus'd the Gates to be shut against Caesar. Scipio was now at Larissa in Thessaly and Pompey was not arriv'd in this Province which caus'd Caesar to Attack Gomphi he order'd Ladders great Baskets fill'd with Earth and Hurdles to be got ready with all Speed and after having represented to his Soldiers the great Advantages of forcing a Place so very rich and well furnish'd he caus'd an Assault to be made which was carry'd on and supported with such Fury and Bravery that notwithstanding the extraordinary Height of the Walls the Town was taken in few Hours time Caesar lest it to be plunder'd and without stopping march'd his Army to Metropolis which yielded to him upon the sight of the Prisoners of Gomphi This Conduct of his brought over all the Towns in Thessaly to his Subjection except Larissa which Scipio had possess'd himself of Pompey arriv'd at Thessaly within a few Days after the Taking of Gomphi and advanc'd near Pharsalia whither Scipio went and joyn'd him with his Troops He was receiv'd by his Son-in-Law Pompey with great Magnificence making him Partaker both of his Honour and Authority and ordering the Trumpets to sound every Morning at Scipio's Tent as well as his own Caesar was all the time giving Orders for the Subsistence of his Army and with great Skill making Remarks upon the Inclinations of his Soldiers and finding them hearty and vigorous caus'd 'em to advance as far as the Plains of Pharsalia where Pompey was now encamp'd The Approach of these two noble Armies in which were all the chosen Roman Legions whose Valour was to decide the Fate of that great Empire the Hatred and Ambition of the Generals animated by the Prize as well as the Glory of such a Conquest together with the small Appearance of an Accommodation made it out of doubt that nothing but a general Battel cou'd determine this famous Quarrel Pompey being the stronger of the two his Party did not question the Victory and fell into great Controversies who shou'd be successively Consuls who shou'd have Caesar's Priesthood and who shou'd have his Lands Goods and Moneys and likewise how all Dignities and Magistracies shou'd be dispos'd of with a great many Things of the like Nature In short every one set his Thoughts upon sharing the Fruits of the Victory without considering how to gain it But Caesar was far otherwise employ'd using all the Care and Skill imaginable to encourage and perfect his Men He every day sent out Parties and exercis'd the lusty young Men of his Legions to mingle themselves among the Cavalry and contend even with the Horses for Swiftness so tho' Pompey much surpass'd in the Number of Horse yet Caesars being so well and skilfully assisted by these light-arm'd Foot were not at all afraid of 'em and in one Rencounter they defeated a great Number of ' em Caesar now finding his Soldiers vigorous and desirous of Action drew out of his Camp and offer'd Pompey Battel But that General had no such Design at present either suspecting his Troops or dreading the Loss of his Reputation and therefore endeavoured to waste Caesar's Army with Fatigue and want of Provisions He drew indeed sometimes out of his Camp but always kept himself under his Trenches at the Foot of the advanc'd Ground where he was posted Caesar cou'd not attack him in that Place without great Disadvantage so that he resolv'd to decamp the next Day that by frequent Motions he might weary out Pompey's Men who were not so hardned to Toil and Labour as his Upon the taking down of the Tents Advice came that Pompey's Army was in Battalia and far enough from his Trenches whereupon Caesar caus'd all his Troops to halt and with extream Joy told 'em That now was the happy and long-wish'd-for Moment in which they might gain themselves immortal Honour After which he drew up his Troops in order and advanc'd with 'em towards the Place of Battel Pompey on the other side was extreamly troubled with melancholy thoughts and presaging dreams but now was no longer able to hold out against the Importunities and Murmurings of his Officers and therefore at present did what he cou'd to incourage 'em particularly by telling 'em That the Strength of his Cavalry who had promis'd him to Attack the Enemy's Flanks before they cou'd discharge one Dart was alone sufficient to gain the Victory Labienus seconded his Speech adding withal That this was not the Army that Caesar perform'd such Exploits in Gaul and Germany with which were all gone home kill'd with Diseases or destroy'd at the last Battel at Dyrrachium After which Labienus took a solemn Oath not to return into his Camp but with Victory which Oath Pompey himself took and the rest after him not imagining that any thing cou'd be spoken vainly by so skillful a Commander Pompey's Army consisted of 45000 Foot according to Plutarch and 7000 Horse Caesar's but of 22000 Foot and not much above 1000 Horse but Appian with some reason excepts the Auxiliaries which he supposes to have been great on both Sides tho' all agree that Pompey's Forces were double the Number to Caesar's Pompey left seven Cohorts to guard his Camp and drew up all his Men in three Lines every Legion making three Battalions and each Battalion was drawn up in half Cohorts that is 200 Men in Rank and eight in File The Syrian Legions were plac'd in