Map Description

Historical Map of Northern Greece, 48 B.C.—The Roman Civil War

Caesar's Civil War — Caesar Versus Pompey


Illustrating

Opening moves in the year 48 BC


:: Background ::

The Roman Senate, which was dominated by the Optimates, appointed Pompey to defend the Republic against Caesar, cementing him as leader of the anti-Caesarian faction when civil war broke out in 49 BC.

The first significant battle of the Roman Civil War (49-45 BC) was the Siege of Brundisium (modern Brindisi) in March 49 BC. After crossing the Rubicon in January, Caesar rapidly advanced through Italy. Pompey and many senators retreated to Brundisium, intending to cross to Greece. Caesar besieged the port city but was unable to completely blockade it due to lacking a navy. Pompey successfully evacuated his forces across the Adriatic before Caesar could capture them. While technically a tactical success for Pompey (preserving his army), it ceded control of Italy to Caesar and forced the Pompeian forces to fight from exile.


:: Opening Moves ::

Pompey employed a naval blockade in the Ionian Sea, which was enforced by a winter fleet of 110 ships, under the command of Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus, positioned to prevent Caesar's Adriatic crossing.

Initially, Pompey sought to avoid direct confrontation with Caesar’s forces, which allowed him to gather an even larger, better-prepared force in Greece.

At Oricum, Pompey stationed 18 warships under the command of Lucretius Vespillo and Minucius Rufus. These ships guarded merchant vessels that were carrying essential supplies for Pompey's forces.

Pompey’s ground forces were substantial, comprising nine legions (approximately between 40,000 to 50,000 troops). His army was further supported by approximately 4,000 archers / slingers and 3,600 cavalry.


:: Caesar Outmaneuvers Pompey's Naval Blockade ::

Caesar, with his seven understrength legions (likely fewer than 4,500 soldiers per legion) and a cavalry force of about 500, made strategic landings at Palaeste, in Epirus.

He managed to slip through Pompey's naval blockade by leveraging winter's harsh weather conditions when naval operations were considered perilous, reducing enemy vigilance. His small, nimble fleet moved rapidly through the Adriatic Sea, evading detection by selecting an unexpected landing location and operating under cover of night.

He subsequently advanced to Oricum and Apollonia with minimal local resistance.


:: Build-Up to the Battle of Dyrrachium ::

When Pompey learned of Caesar's arrival in early 48 BC, he rapidly (thanks to the Via Egnatia***) advanced his army westward to engage Caesar. This movement eventually led to the confrontation between the two forces near Dyrrachium.

In the meantime, the two camps of Caesar and Pompey were separated by the River Apsus, leading to a standoff and frequent skirmishes.


*** = The Via Egnatia was built under the direction of Gnaeus Egnatius, proconsul of Macedonia, around 146 BC. It stretched for approximately 1,120 km, connecting Dyrrachium (now Durrës in Albania) to Byzantium (now Istanbul) through Macedonia and Thrace.

Credits

Courtesy of the United States Military Academy Department of History.

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About Julius Caesar

About Pompey the Great

About Mark Antony

About the Roman Republic

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