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48 BC Caesar's Civil War: Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey the Great at the Battle of Pharsalus, forcing Pompey t

48 BC Caesar's Civil War: Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey the Great at the Battle of Pharsalus, forcing Pompey to flee to Egypt

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.

Historical Significance

The Battle of Pharsalus was the decisive battle of Caesar's Civil War fought on 9 August 48 BC near Pharsalus in Central Greece.

Key People

Julius Caesar

Roman general and dictator

Roman general and dictator

Pompey the Great

Roman general and statesman

Roman general and statesman

Pompey the Great

Roman general and statesman

Roman general and statesman

Events Before

  1. 43 BC Octavian, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him consul

    43 BC Octavian, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him consul

  2. 43 BC Second Triumvirate alliance of Roman leaders formed by Octavian (later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus,

    43 BC Second Triumvirate alliance of Roman leaders formed by Octavian (later Caesar Augustus), Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony

  3. 44 BC Julius Caesar is stabbed to death by Brutus, Cassius and several other Roman senators on the Ides of March in Rome

    The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martiae, Medieval Latin: Idus Martii) is the day on the Roman calendar marked as the Idus, roughly the midpoint of a month, of Martius, corresponding to 15 March on the...

  4. 45 BC The Julian calendar takes effect for the first time by edict of Roman dictator Julius Caesar

    Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman who was the dictator of the Roman Republic at various points from 49 BC until his assassination in 44 BC.

  5. 46 BC Battle of Thapsus: Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato (Cato the Younger) near

    46 BC Battle of Thapsus: Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato (Cato the Younger) near Thapsus in modern-day Tunisia

Events After

  1. 49 Roman Emperor Claudius marries his fourth wife and niece Agrippina the Younger

    Julia Agrippina (6 November AD 15 – 23 March AD 59), also referred to as Agrippina the Younger, was Roman empress from AD 49 to 54, the fourth wife and niece of emperor Claudius, and the mother of…

  2. 49 BC Julius Caesar defies the Roman Senate and crosses the Rubicon, uttering "alea iacta est" (the die is cast), signal

    49 BC Julius Caesar defies the Roman Senate and crosses the Rubicon, uttering "alea iacta est" (the die is cast), signaling the start of civil war and his appointment as Roman dictator for life

  3. 49 BC Julius Caesar's general Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in the Second Battle of the Bagradas River by the Numid

    49 BC Julius Caesar's general Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in the Second Battle of the Bagradas River by the Numidians under Publius Attius Varus and King Juba I of Numidia. Curio commits suicide to avoid capture

  4. 52 BC Vercingetorix, leader of the Gauls, surrenders to the Romans under Julius Caesar, ending the siege and Battle of A

    52 BC Vercingetorix, leader of the Gauls, surrenders to the Romans under Julius Caesar, ending the siege and Battle of Alesia

  5. 54 Agrippina the Younger murders her husband, Roman Emperor Claudius, with poison to secure the succession for her son N

    54 Agrippina the Younger murders her husband, Roman Emperor Claudius, with poison to secure the succession for her son Nero

More from the 40s

45 BC The Julian calendar takes effect for the first time by edict of Roman dictator Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar (12 or 13 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC) was a Roman general and statesman who was the dictator of the Roman Republic at various points from 49 BC until his assassination in 44 BC.

49 Roman Emperor Claudius marries his fourth wife and niece Agrippina the Younger

Julia Agrippina (6 November AD 15 – 23 March AD 59), also referred to as Agrippina the Younger, was Roman empress from AD 49 to 54, the fourth wife and niece of emperor Claudius, and the mother of…

49 BC Julius Caesar defies the Roman Senate and crosses the Rubicon, uttering "alea iacta est" (the die is cast), signal

49 BC Julius Caesar defies the Roman Senate and crosses the Rubicon, uttering "alea iacta est" (the die is cast), signaling the start of civil war and his appointment as Roman dictator for life

41 Claudius succeeds his nephew Caligula as Roman Emperor after the latter's assassination by officers of the Praetorian

41 Claudius succeeds his nephew Caligula as Roman Emperor after the latter's assassination by officers of the Praetorian Guard

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 9, 48?
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.
Why is 48 BC Caesar's Civil War: Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey the Great a... significant?
The Battle of Pharsalus was the decisive battle of Caesar's Civil War fought on 9 August 48 BC near Pharsalus in Central Greece.
Who was involved in 48 BC Caesar's Civil War: Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey the Great a...?
Key figures include Julius Caesar (Roman general and dictator), Pompey the Great (Roman general and statesman), Pompey the Great (Roman general and statesman).

Explore More

August 9 in HistoryYear 48