Caesar Versus Pompey

1012 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The Roman empire and how it changed

The history between General Caesar and General Pompey is greatly known throughout the Roman Empire. The two generals started out as great allies and formed the First Triumvirate along with Crassus. However, with the previous passing of Crassus, the two had faced conflicts. Thus we are faced with the engagement between the two at Pharsalus, which brought an end to Caesar’s Civil War. This engagement shaped the course of history; first of all, it was one of the first civil wars in Rome and all of history for that matter. It was also a battle in which both sides took all necessary precautions before entering a full scale war. In previous wars like the Punic Wars, the Romans would push too far into the enemy and then be easily surrounded without the necessary supplies, weapons, or numbers to win the battle. Lastly, it paved the path for the Roman Empire. The battle of Pharsalus was a key battle in Roman history that proved to be a vital step towards the future.

Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon River began the civil war between his army and Pompey’s. The Roman Empire had been split two years earlier into two classes into the optimates and populares. Pompey lead the patrician faction, called the “optimates,” which was made up of Rome’s aristocrats and senators. On the other hand Caesar lead the populist faction, the “populares,” which was made up of nobles supported by Rome’s farmers, veterans and middle class. These two classes had a great part in leading to the battle in Greece between the two former allies. Pompey began his military career with victories in Spain, Italy, North Africa, and most notably the rogue gladiator, Spartacus. Caesar, on the other hand, had married into Pompey’s family after the death of his first wife, and s...

... middle of paper ...

...tus. Pompey fled to Egypt and eventually died there. Caesar was victorious at Pharsalus and will now lead Rome as the sole ruler. This is how Pharsalus set the stage for the Roman Empire.

The battle at Pharsalus affected the course of history to come. It did this by being one of the first ever civil wars, the first war where both generals took careful care that each respective one was ready for a lengthy war, and set the stage for the Roman Empire to begin. Without this key battle, Caesar never would have been dictator of Rome, Roman generals would still rush head on into wars without the proper supplies, and Rome may have stayed a Republic plagued by civil wars to come. Evidently, Pharsalus was a major victory for Caesar and put him in control of Rome. So the next time you use some Caesar dressing, remember who made the name famous at the battle of Pharsalus.

Show More
Related

  • Augustus

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    At Philippi in 42 B.C., they defeated the republican army. The leaders of this army were Brutus and Cassius, who were also the leaders of Caesar’s ...

    Read More

  • Gnaeus Pompey and the fall of the Roman Republic

    790 Words  | 2 Pages

    Events which stretch as far back as the reforms of the Gracchi brothers’ meant that the Rome was facing a Republic that was already deteriorating before Pompey had stepped into power. While Pompey’s quest for power was harmful, many other factors were also baleful to the Republic, and were hence instrumental in its decline. Gnaeus Pompeius’s measures to gain power were harmful because it was primarily a paradox to the principles of being part of a Republic with all its notions of shared and short power. The fundamental reason why there were other reasons for the decline of the system are that the military power was given to him, the already weak Senate, and the fact that Pompey was not the only player in the breakdown of the Republic due to the alliances he had made with Crassus and Caesar.

    Read More

  • Comparing George Washington and Julius Caesar

    2018 Words  | 5 Pages

    When someone hears the name George Washington, they instantly think of the one dollar bill, the first president, or the quarter. Some people might even think of Mount Vernon, Virginia, his favorite place because his name is associated with Mount Vernon. But, someone would never consider the fact that George Washington and his friends rebelled against their current world power and beat them in odds that were extremely poor to create one of the greatest world powers in history. Furthermore, when someone hears the name Julius Caesar, they would most likely think of the Shakespearean play, or the famous saying, “E tu Brute” which was said by Caesar when he saw Brutus stabbing him. But, someone would assume that Caesar’s death gave way to Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Even though Julius Caesar may be well known for his great accomplishments, he is nothing compared to who George Washington was and what he did to change history. Julius Caesar did have many accomplishments which consisted of his climb up the military chain to become Rome’s first king in five-hundred years and his part in the famous triumvirate rule (Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus) that came to power in Rome some time after Caesar's first decrees (Julius Caesar Definition). One of his many failures includes the dividing of Rome’s upper and lower class which eventually led to his assassination. George Washington’s achievements includes the rebellion against the greatest empire in the current time era and the development of one of the most powerful empires ever created in history. His failures include many losses in battle and the rebellion against Great Britain. Although Julius Caesar may be known for his great ruling ability, he came no where close to the power an...

    Read More

  • Why Is Caesar Responsible For The Fall Of The Republic

    1305 Words  | 3 Pages

    What helped start the civil war was the death of Caesar 's daughter, Julia, in 54 BC. Julia was married to Pompey to help create a political alliance between him and Caesar, but when she died during childbirth, Caesar and Pompey’s relationship ended. After Julia’s death Caesar

    Read More

  • George Washington and Julius Caesar Comparison

    2009 Words  | 5 Pages

    When someone hears the name George Washington, they instantly think of the one dollar bill, the first president, or the quarter. Some people might even think of Mount Vernon, Virginia, his favorite place because his name is associated with Mount Vernon. But, someone would never consider the fact that George Washington and his friends rebelled against their current world power and beat them in odds that were extremely poor to create one of the greatest world powers in history. Furthermore, when someone hears the name Julius Caesar, they would most likely think of the Shakespearean play, or the famous saying, “E tu Brute” which was said by Caesar when he saw Brutus stabbing him. But, someone would assume that Caesar’s death gave way to Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Even though Julius Caesar may be well known for his great accomplishments, he is nothing compared to who George Washington was and what he did to change history. Julius Caesar did have many accomplishments which consisted of his climb up the military chain to become Rome’s first king in five-hundred years and his part in the famous triumvirate rule (Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus) that came to power in Rome some time after Caesar's first decrees (Julius Caesar Definition). One of his many failures includes the dividing of Rome’s upper and lower class which eventually led to his assassination. George Washington’s achievements includes the rebellion against the greatest empire in the current time era and the development of one of the most powerful empires ever created in history. His failures include many losses in battle and the rebellion against Great Britain. Although Julius Caesar may be known for his great ruling ability, he came no where close to the power an...

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar Dbq

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    Julius Caesar elected himself as the dictator of Rome. He became a favorite to many of the people of the lower classes. Unlike many leaders, Caesar valued the poor. Most people agreed with his decisions, but some of the higher classes’ did not. On March 15 44 BCE, now called the Ides of March, a few of Caesars’ closest peers decided to murder Caesar. Marcus Brutus killed Julius Caesar, on March 15.

    Read More

  • The Civil War: Why Was The Civil War Inevitable?

    714 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, Caesar had the approval of many citizens in Rome, which gave him more power of Pompey. Most citizens of Rome wanted him to run the Republic instead of Pompey, therefore, they supported and even encouraged his battle against Pompey. By having more power, he was essentially more easily persuaded to cross the Rubicon with his troops. Doing so, he crossed the Rubicon and began the fight due to the power of the people. Once he crossed the Rubicon, he was hailed as a hero (Civil Wars by Julius Caesar) and was persuaded to continue fighting for power in Rome. With Caesar’s army of troops growing and the support rising, he felt he had no choice but to continue fighting for power over Pompey. However, Pompey also had supporters on his side, making the battle longer and more difficult. Obviously you can not stop a war in the middle of The civil war lasted four years and Caesar eventually won power of Rome over

    Read More

  • Compare/Contrast Julius Caesar to Alexander the Great

    1011 Words  | 3 Pages

    Caesar was born into a traditional influential and respected family. It is this influence that he used to make his way to the top of the Roman leadership. His use in warfare and military conquests are legendary although he had at first concentrated in pursuing political actions. He won the first elections in his political career at the early forties. He was el...

    Read More

  • Biography On Julius Caesar

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of Caesar’s greatest victories in battle was just after he had gained control over the lands of Bituriges, Vercingetorix. He started to lead his army to the Boii oppidum of Gorgobina, another city under his control. On the way, he stopped his troops at Vellaundunum, oppidum of the Senones, and set up siege. He did not want to leave any enemies behind him who might get in the way of the grain deliveries and supply. The Carnutes, one of Rome’s enemies, had just heard of the siege at Vellaundunum. They gathered troops to Garrison Cenabum, the Carnutes stronghold. Caesar’s army camped out right in front of the fort.

    Read More

  • The Battle of Actium

    1843 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...hip failures on the part of Mark Antony. These decisions allowed an outnumbered and outclassed fleet to win an extremely decisive victory. It is truly a lesson in the power of good strong leadership.

    Read More

  • The Successes and Struggles in the Reign of King Pyrrhus

    732 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...litary might and trained professionals. After being defeated at Heraclea many Roman senators feared that Pyrrhus would conquer all of Rome. Pyrrhus himself may have only influenced Rome in a small way but, the Pyrrhic war foreshadowed how Rome would fight and conquer for years to come. Rome emerged from these wars as an even bigger military power than they were before.

    Read More

  • The Civil War of Rome

    2560 Words  | 6 Pages

    Pompey tried another devious act against Caesar, which this time worked. He had the senate pass a law that made Pompey and Caesar both give up troops, and send them to the East, where they were supposedly needed against the Parthians. This seemed fair, but it made Caesar lose two legions, one that was lent to him by Pompey in the Gallic Wars, and one of his own. Once they were positioned there, Pompey decided they were no longer needed, and sent them to Capua (a city in Rome) under his command.

    Read More

  • Julius Caesar - A Comparison of Brutus and Cassius

    1631 Words  | 4 Pages

    Julius Caesar - A Comparison of Brutus and Cassius In the play Julius Caesar, written and performed by William Shakespeare, there are many characters, but two, Brutus and Cassius, stood out. The play begins in Rome, where a celebration of Julius Caesar's victory over the former ruler of Rome, Pompeii. The victory leads to Caesar's betrayal by his jealous companions. Senators and other high status figures are jealous of Caesar's new and growing power, while others, like Brutus, fear the tyrannical rule Caesar could enforce.

    Read More

  • The Fall of The Roman Republic

    878 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BC after the ruling Tarquins abused their extensive power as monarchs and were overthrown. The goal of the Roman Republic was to have a strong government, governed equally by the patricians and the plebians, and to avoid another Roman Monarchy. For years Rome was guided by great men, such as Cincinnatus and Scipio Africanus, who led the Republic through hard times, conquering such enemies as the Etruscans and the Carthaginians. Large-scale war united Roman society in its common goals. However, after Scipio’s victory at Zama in 202 BC, a new Roman world began to take shape. Roman soldiers returned home from their victory to find that they could not pay for their farms, becoming “squatters” on their own lands after having to sell them to richer men. The Senate became corrupted, and despite the Gracchi brothers’ best efforts, the rich patricians soon monopolized nearly all aspects of the Republic, from trading and “farming” to governing the people. After marching on Rome, Sulla became dictator in 82 BC. After Sulla, the First Triumvirate: Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar, owned virtually all power in Rome, yet each had his own desire to defeat the other two and become Emperor. When Crassus died in battle, Caesar had his chance. He defeated Pompey and marched on Rome, victorious. After declaring himself Dictator for Life, Caesar was assassinated, and another Civ...

    Read More

  • Free Julius Caesar Essays: The Role of the Mob

    386 Words  | 1 Pages

    The first event is the celebration of the feast of the Lupercal. It was the citizens’ positive reaction to Caesar during his triumphant return after his victory over the sons of Pompey that fueled the fear of caesar’s becoming king. The citizens’ opposition to Pompey’s allies caused great disturbances in the streets because a short while before, Pompey was their hero. Now Caesar, victorious, is the hero of the hour. Their response also influenced the idea that Caesar was becoming too ambitious. Thus, the citizens of Rome had a role in the fate of Julius Caesar.

    Read More

More about Caesar Versus Pompey

Open Document