Caesar vs. Pompey and the Battle of Pharsalus

82
Caesar vs. Pompey and the Battle of Pharsalus

Around 60 BC e. for a short time in Rome, the interests of three very different people united. The first was Caesar, who returned from "Further Spain", who, wanting to become consul, was forced to give up his triumph.


Tusculan portrait of Caesar, Museum of Antiquities, Turin

The second is Pompey, who, having returned in 62 BC. e. after the victory in the Third Mithridatic War, he could not get the Senate to ratify his decrees in the East and provide land allotments to veterans of his army.




Bust of Pompey, XNUMXst c. BC e.

The third, Mark Crassus, represented the interests of the publicans. Those, realizing that the province of Asia was devastated during the war, wanted to reduce taxes there (which they collected).


Bust of Crassus. Copenhagen Glyptothek

Later they were called the first triumvirs, although the word "triumvirate" (from the Latin tres viri - "three people") appeared later and referred to the union of Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus. It was their union that was the first Triumvirate, but eventually received the name of the second. And the temporary association of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus in Rome was then called societas (“partnership”) or even conspiratio (“secret agreement”, “conspiracy”).

Breakup of the First Triumvirate


The first triumvirs achieved all their goals, but soon their paths diverged. Caesar, with the rank of proconsul, became governor of Cisalpine Gaul, Narbonne Gaul and Illyricum and remained there for 10 years. It is to this period that his famous wars with the Gauls belong.

Crassus was the richest man in Rome and saved Rome from the nightmare of Spartacus' rebellion. But he envied the glory of Caesar and Pompey, realizing that in the eyes of the Romans, his victory over the slaves does not look quite complete compared to the successes of his allies and rivals in wars with an external enemy. And therefore, Crassus decided to stand on a par with the recognized generals of his time, having won Parthia for Rome. This territory was once part of the Seleucid state (descendants of one of the Diadochi who divided the empire of Alexander the Great). It was conquered by nomads - parns, whose leaders became the kings of the Arshakids dynasty. The basis of the army of this new state was the cavalry - horse archers and heavy cataphract riders. The campaign of Crassus ended in a terrible defeat, this was described in the article Parthian disaster Mark Licinius Crass.

Married to Caesar's daughter Julia, Pompey, called the Great during his lifetime, remained in Rome, where he enjoyed the highest authority. A year before the death of Crassus, his wife Julia, daughter of Caesar, died, and the daughter of Quintus Caecilius Metella Pius Scipio, who was an enemy of Pompey's former ally, became his new wife.

Caesar Crossing the Rubicon


Meanwhile, Caesar's powers in Gaul expired, and the senate demanded his return to Rome. However, Caesar, on the one hand, was afraid of legal persecution, which numerous enemies were ready to launch against him. On the other hand, he did not want to lose income from the Gallic lands. And he was interested in money primarily as an instrument of influence in Rome. Caesar tried to negotiate, offered various compromise agreements, but they were all rejected by his ill-wishers, to whom Pompey now joined.

In the winter of 50-49 BC. e. Caesar with the XIII legion was located in Cisalpine Gaul near Ravenna. Another 4 legions subordinate to him were in Belgica and 4 in the lands of the Aedui. Caesar hesitated for a long time, but nevertheless decided on an open confrontation with the Senate and Rome. Calling on the help of the VIII and XII legions, on January 11, 49 BC. e. he crossed the Rubicon River, which served as the border of Italy. He is said to have said to his friends at the time:

“If I do not cross this river, then this will be the beginning of disasters for me, and if I cross, then this will be the beginning of disasters for all people.”

When the news of Caesar's movement reached Rome, the senate outlawed him, and Pompey was appointed commander-in-chief of all the forces of the republic.

Before the showdown


On January 17, Pompey invited the Senate and his supporters to go with him to Campania, where there were 5 legions. Those who refused to leave Rome he declared enemies. Caesar acted smarter, declaring that he would consider his friends both his supporters and those who remained neutral. The gates before him were opened by Arretius, Iguvius, Ancona and some other cities. Corfinium, in which Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus closed with 30 cohorts, surrendered a week later. The troops in it went over to the side of Caesar. Republican commanders were released on parole not to fight against Caesar (which many of them immediately violated).

Pompey at that time was already at Brundisium, from where he sent his army to Greece in March of the following year, where he began to recruit additional troops.

The situation was as follows: Caesar controlled Rome and Italy, however, parts loyal to Pompey were located in Spain, Greece, Illyria, Africa, as well as on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The initiative was on the side of Caesar, who decided first to defeat Pompey's allies. He himself went to Spain, saying:

"Today we are going against an army without a military leader, so that tomorrow we will go against a military leader who is left without an army."

To organize overseas expeditions, he ordered to break open the doors of the state treasury. He left as his governors in Rome Mark Antony and Mark Aemilius Lepidus.

The Gallic legions of Fabius (VII, IX and XI) and Trebonius (VI, X and XIV) moved to Spain through the Pyrenees. With them were up to 5 thousand soldiers of the Gallic and Aquitanian infantry and up to 6 thousand horsemen. Caesar led the VIII, XII and XIII legions into Spain. On April 19, he approached Massalia (now this city is called Marseilles), the defense of which was led by the familiar Domitius Ahenobarbus, who fled from Corfinium. Leaving here the three legions of Trebonius, Caesar moved to Spain, where he was opposed by seven legions and about five thousand horsemen. Five legions led by Lucius Aphranius and Mark Petreus occupied a position near the Sikoris River (now Segre) near Ilerda (Lerida). The other two legions commanded by Mark Terentius Varro were in "Further Spain". After a series of positional battles, the legions of Aphranius and Petraea were surrounded while trying to retreat and, without entering into a general battle, surrendered. Upon learning of this, Varro also gave up resistance. Caesar returned to Massalia, which capitulated after a 7-month siege - December 13, 49 BC. e. By order of Caesar, the authorities of the city and its inhabitants handed over everything available weapon, cash, and supplies.

Meanwhile, in the absence of Caesar, his commanders captured Sicily and Sardinia, but were defeated in Illyria and Africa.

In Africa, the resistance was led by Publius Attius Varus, who made an alliance with the Numidian king Yuba. On Caesar's side he was opposed by Curio, who arrived on August 11 at the head of two legions and 500 cavalry. Having won a field battle, he laid siege to Utica. At this moment, the advanced units of Yuba approached. Having overturned them, Curio decided to pursue the enemy and led his troops to the main forces of the Numidians. At the Bagrad River, the Romans were defeated, Curio died in battle.

Guy Anthony (younger brother of Mark, the future triumvir and Cleopatra's lover), who was located on the island of Kurikta (Krk), was sent to Illyria with two legions. Here, his troops were blocked after the Pompeians Mark Octavius ​​and Lucius Scribonius Libo sank or burned almost all of his ships. Experiencing difficulties with food, the army of Guy Anthony and he himself surrendered.

Pompey and Caesar: face to face


Pompey and Caesar were by far the best generals of Rome at that time. Now they had to wage war, and they were almost on an equal footing in all respects. Approximately equal was the number of troops that were equally armed and acted according to the same charter. On both sides, in addition to the commanders, there were very talented commanders. For example, the same Mark Antony in the army of Caesar and Titus Labien in the army of the Pompeians. Labienus is not as famous as Mark Antony, but this commander was highly appreciated by Julius Caesar himself, who, leaving, left him to command troops in Gaul and Britain. And in 51 BC. e. he appointed Labienus governor of Cisalpine Gaul.

Among the Pompeians was also a very experienced military leader Gaius Cassius Longinus, who during the unfortunate campaign of Crassus against the Parthians was a quaestor and managed to bring 500 horsemen to Syria. And then he also defeated the Parthians in the battle of Antigony.

In general, in an equal battle, Pompey and Caesar now had to find out which of them is a truly great commander.

As we remember, Caesar hoped "oppose a warlord left without an army". However, while he fought in Spain, and his legates in Africa, Illyria, Sicily and Sardinia, Pompey, located in the Macedonian Beroia (Veria), prepared for war with him for a year. The basis and core of his army were five Italian legions, and two of them (I and III) had previously fought under the command of Caesar in Gaul. The other three were recruits. These troops were joined by legions in which veterans of the army of Pompey himself served: one was here, in Macedonia, the other came from Cilicia. Consul Lucius Cornelius Lentulus recruited two legions in Asia. The army of Pompey also included soldiers of the army of Gaius Anthony who surrendered on the island of Krk. Two more legions were to be brought from Syria by Pompey's father-in-law, Metellus Scipio. The number of horsemen reached 7 thousand. In addition, Pompey's army had about 8 foot soldiers from the Eastern Allies. Thus, the size of his army was about 50 people. December 000 B.C. e. he moved it to the west and settled in Illyria near Dyrrachium.

By the end of December of the same year, Caesar managed to collect ten legions and 10 thousand horsemen from Brundisius. At sea, the Pompeians had the advantage, but their commander fleet Mark Calpurnius Bibulus did not notice the crossing of part of Caesar's army (5 legions and 600 horsemen), which took place on January 4, 48 BC. e. These troops, led by Caesar, landed on the coast of Epirus. On the way back, Caesar's fleet was nevertheless attacked and lost some of the ships. Bibulus also tried to attack Brundisius, but this attack was repelled by Mark Antony.

By the way, the fleet of Bibulus included a squadron of ships that the eldest son of Pompey, the full namesake of this commander, brought from Alexandria. Gnaeus Pompey the Younger was credited with a love affair with Cleopatra, thanks to which he allegedly managed to get these ships. However, Caesar soon found this 18-year-old queen, the wife of his 13-year-old brother Ptolemy XIII, in the most desperate situation. It is difficult to say whether it was she who then contributed to the allocation of 50 or 60 ships to the son of Pompey.

In April 48 BC. e. Mark Antony led the crossing of the remaining troops to Epirus, but they managed to land well north of the positions of both armies. Pompey tried to cut off these parts from Caesar's army, but he was ahead of him.

Not daring to engage in open battle with Pompey, Caesar surrounded his army with a 24-kilometer fortified line. Pompey, in turn, ordered to build his own line, reaching a length of 13 km.

Pompey's army had sufficient food, but few sources of water and fodder for horses. Caesar's troops had the opposite situation. Constant skirmishes did not bring success to either side, until Pompey landed troops on July 10, organizing a serious attack on Caesar's camp from the south. Three legions, which Caesar himself brought to the rescue, found themselves on a narrow strip between their camp, which had already been captured by the Pompeians, and the seashore. There was a panic, and Caesar himself, trying to stop the fleeing soldiers, was almost killed by one of them. If Pompey had ordered the pursuit to continue, this battle could have been decisive in that war. But, as Caesar himself said,

"victory would have gone to the opponents if they had someone to win."

However, the position of the Caesarians was difficult. Having lost their camp, they began to retreat to the southeast - to Thessaly. Pompey's troops followed them. On the way, both armies received reinforcements: two Greek legions of Gnaeus Domitius Calvin joined Caesar, and two Syrian legions of Metellus Scipio joined Pompey.

Battle of Pharsalus


In August, the armies of Caesar and Pompey stopped on the banks of the Enipeus near Pharsalus, where they set up their camps. Here was a wide valley, on which Caesar lined up his troops for several days, inviting Pompey to join the battle. But this experienced commander did not accept the challenge, as he reasonably believed that time was working against his rival, whose army was experiencing supply difficulties. However, his legates, inspired by the success of Dyrrachius, insisted on a battle, and Pompey allowed himself to be persuaded by them. Seeing his preparations, the overjoyed Caesar said that, finally, they

“We will have to fight not with hunger and deprivation, but with people.”

Caesar claimed that the numerical superiority was on the side of Pompey, but modern researchers believe that the forces of the parties were approximately equal. For example, the German military historian Hans Delbrück believed that there were approximately 30 infantrymen on both sides. He determines the number of horsemen at three thousand for Pompey and two for Caesar.

The battle at Pharsalus began on the morning of August 9, 48 BC. e. Pompey traditionally led the right flank of his troops, which is considered the main one, Metellus Scipio stood in the center, Domitius Ahenobarbus took command of the left flank. Pompey's cavalry was led by Titus Labienus.

In the enemy army, Caesar also took command of his right flank. He entrusted the command of the center to Domitius Calvin, the left flank to Mark Antony. At the same time, the right wing of Pompey's troops and, accordingly, the left wing of Caesar rested on the swampy bank of the Enipeus River. And therefore, the entire cavalry of the opposing armies acted on the opposite flank. It was here that the fate of both the battle and the entire war was decided. And Pompey, unlike Caesar, was far from this place.

Having an advantage in cavalry, Pompey decided to break the enemy cavalry and go to the rear of the foot soldiers. But Caesar figured out this plan and placed behind his battle line six reserve cohorts (about three thousand people), and put them at an angle of 90 degrees - so that they were face to face with the enemy horsemen deployed to strike on the flank.

Pompey's cavalry did indeed overturn Caesar's cavalry, but ran into reserve cohorts. Caesar ordered these soldiers not to throw, as usual, their pila, but to use them, but as spears, and aim at the faces of Pompey's horsemen. And these were young representatives of the "best families" of Rome and the eastern provinces. They were ready to risk their lives, but not the beauty of their faces. The horsemen of the Pompeians were confused, and at that time the German-Gallic cavalry of Caesar, who had retreated, returned. Having defeated the enemy cavalry, which was surrounded, the Germans and Gauls attacked Pompey's army from the rear, and Caesar's right flank hit the left wing of Pompey's army, whose legions were just starting the attack from the front. The Pompeians fled, and Caesar's army broke into their camp.


Scheme of the Battle of Pharsalus

By evening, the bulk of Pompey's army surrendered to the victors. Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus went over to the side of Caesar, who would later take an active part in the assassination of Caesar.

Modern historians believe that the Pompeians lost about 6 thousand people in that battle, the Caesarians - about a thousand. Domitius Ahenobarbus, who commanded the left flank, died in battle. Metellus Scipio, Labienus and Cato went to Africa and fought against Caesar for some time. Labien, for example, died in Spain at the battle of Munda - in 45 BC. e.

Plutarch reports that 5 years later (in 43 BC)

"The remnants of Pompey's troops, still wandering within the Thessalian borders, joyfully gathered under the banner of Brutus."

That is, the situation was not so critical, and Pompey could still try to withdraw the remnants of his army. However, this seemingly experienced and seasoned commander, seeing the defeat of his left flank, left the troops and sat in prostration in his camp. The people who were with him hardly persuaded him to run away, and he had to do it in the clothes of a slave. Pompey went to Larissa, and from there to the island of Lesbos, where his family was in the city of Mytilene. On reflection, he decided to go to Egypt. There, at that time, the very young Ptolemy XIII ruled. The father of this king at one time retained power precisely thanks to Pompey, who was sent to help him by the Roman governor in Syria, Aulus Gabinius. And the cavalry in the Roman army was commanded by the young Mark Antony, who at that time first saw the 14-year-old princess Cleopatra.

Ptolemy XII bequeathed his throne to his children - 18-year-old Cleopatra and her 13-year-old brother, who became the husband of his older sister and ascended the throne under the name of Ptolemy XIII.

Sculptural portraits of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra:


Ptolemy XIII, bust, Altes Museum, Berlin


Sculptural portrait of Cleopatra. Marble. Vatican Museums

And Ptolemy XII appointed Rome as the guarantor of the fulfillment of his will in the person of Pompey the Great. Considering that quite recently the eldest son of Pompey received a whole squadron of ships in Alexandria, this decision seemed quite logical and reasonable. However, the situation has now changed, and the advisers of the young king decided that it was too dangerous for their state to accept the enemy of Caesar. Pompey was killed, his head was presented to Caesar, who appeared in Alexandria in early October. Caesar allegedly wept at the sight of her and ordered a decent burial. Ahead of him was a fateful meeting with Cleopatra, and the will of Ptolemy XII gave him a reason to intervene in Egyptian affairs. But we have already talked about this - in the article The Last of the Ptolemies.
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  1. +1
    10 October 2022 05: 51
    One ancient Greek historian wrote that if it were not for internal strife in Rome, then he would have captured and owned all the then known world ...
  2. +9
    10 October 2022 06: 23
    Good morning friends! smile

    Reading about Mark Crassus, I remembered the film "Spartacus" in 1960, then in Moscow they said that this film, thanks to the brilliant performance of Laurence Olivier, was more about Mark Licinius Crassus than about Spartacus himself.


    1. +6
      10 October 2022 06: 59
      Good morning, Constantine!

      Did not watch. Worth it as far as I can tell?
      1. +7
        10 October 2022 07: 04
        Oppa! Is that how you managed? I watched it three times as a kid.
        Hello, Sergey!
        1. +3
          10 October 2022 07: 11
          Hello Anton! I have some gaps in foreign filmography.
          In our library - film library I sometimes fill them. But books are easier.
      2. +3
        10 October 2022 07: 08
        Quote from Korsar4
        Worth it as far as I know.

        Everything except the last battle scene is worth watching! It's pure fantasy there. But the movie is good.
        1. +4
          10 October 2022 07: 12
          I managed to watch the trailer. And for the film itself, a couple of hours of peace with freedom will have to be carved out.
          1. +4
            10 October 2022 07: 15
            Quote from Korsar4
            a couple of hours of peace with freedom will have to carve out.

            This is its main drawback in modern conditions.
          2. +6
            10 October 2022 07: 25
            And for the film itself, a couple of hours of peace with freedom will have to be carved out.
            It's sad of course. And then I would still recommend the series "Rome". A look at the events described in the article from the point of view of a simple legionnaire and centurion.
            1. +4
              10 October 2022 07: 40
              Thanks Anton! I remember.

              I like ancient Greece better. But it seems that we know more about Rome.
              1. +3
                10 October 2022 08: 11
                Yes, how to say that about Rome and about Greece, we know about the same from the words of the Romans and Greeks. There are simply fewer films being made about Greece, although I absolutely do not understand why. Of the Greco-Persian wars, only about 300 Spartans, in the same place, in addition to the battle of Thermopylae, there are a lot of battles, and Marathon. Or rest on Alexander the Great, and, say, the Peloponnesian war is not beaten in any way. Oh yes, Achaean Greece, and Troy. Where the Greeks are constantly drawn not from the 13th century BC. and 5 BC
                1. +2
                  10 October 2022 08: 21
                  Of course. But the Persians are in no hurry to tell us about the Greeks. However, like the Parthians about the Romans.

                  Is that to listen to Mithridates.
                  1. +3
                    10 October 2022 08: 28
                    There are no sources from their side, in fact, on the Greco-Persian wars, we have only the work of Herodotus, and everything else is just a small addition, just a rewriting of it.
            2. +3
              10 October 2022 08: 07
              By the way, I agree, it’s an excellent movie, by the way, there I first saw what the interchangeability of rows might look like. This is of course only a guess, but an interesting one.
            3. Alf
              +2
              10 October 2022 20: 36
              Quote: 3x3zsave
              And then I would still recommend the series "Rome". A look at the events described in the article from the point of view of a simple legionnaire and centurion.

            4. The comment was deleted.
        2. +4
          10 October 2022 08: 06
          Well, there is a lot of fantasy in films in general, if you analyze it in detail, a lot of things were simply unknown. Well, for example, it’s also a good movie of 300 Spartans, when they lie down and the Persian cavalry galloped over them, then two ranks of the Spartans stand up completely unrumpled and one stops the marching infantry, and the second hits the rear of the cavalry. What prevented them from trampling to hell while they were lying?
          In the Dacians, for example, the Romans with huge shields, and only the first row, the rest stupidly with swords, although with all this, the siege technique is coolly shown.
          And if we take individual fights, then cinema still grew out of the theater and the movements should be visible to the viewer, with reality, we remember our musketeers, such fights have little in common.
      3. +5
        10 October 2022 07: 11
        Hello, Sergey! smile

        Of course it is, if only because of Crassus.
        1. +3
          10 October 2022 07: 42
          Already understood - on the trailer.
          By the way, Giovagnoli also has Crassus - a very interesting figure. Even as a child it seemed that way.
          1. +3
            10 October 2022 07: 58
            In my opinion, he is much more interesting than Spartacus, which, in fact, was reflected in the film. By chance, or intentionally, but ... what happened - it happened. smile
            1. VLR
              +6
              10 October 2022 09: 37
              Crassus is idealized in the film - a plebeian speculator and usurer is shown as an exemplary patrician. In fact, he was not loved in Rome, because he bought up the property of repressed families for nothing, they considered him a greedy and dishonest nouveau riche, ready to cash in even on fires.
              1. VLR
                +6
                10 October 2022 09: 42
                But Spartak is simplified and "stamped" everywhere. Meanwhile, some consider him (and his closest associates) not a prisoner of war, but a Roman citizen - a Marian who was illegally repressed by Sulla. And even Roman authors have hints of this. For example, Sallust claims that in the army of Spartacus there were
                "people free in spirit and glorified, former fighters and commanders of the army of Marius, illegally repressed by the dictator Sulla."

                And Plutarch reports that some of the rebels were imprisoned
                “into a dungeon for gladiators due to the injustice of the master who bought them, who dared to send Roman citizens to the arena who heroically defended freedom from the tyranny of Sulla.”
              2. +4
                10 October 2022 09: 50
                But I was talking about cinematic Crassus, and not about a real person.
              3. +2
                10 October 2022 14: 25
                Quote: VlR
                ready to cash in even on fires.
                It was the usual job of firefighters in Rome. Where the fire broke out, firefighters ran and ... began to bargain about how much they would pay for the saved property (the property went to them). Until they bargain, they didn’t put out anything.
        2. +2
          11 October 2022 08: 34
          However, Crassus in the more modern series "Spartacus. Gods of the Arena" is much more charismatic, smarter and more interesting.
          The series is worth watching. Fantasy, of course, but very atmospheric and stylish. Much better than Game of Thrones in my opinion.
      4. Alf
        +4
        10 October 2022 20: 33
        Quote from Korsar4
        Good morning, Constantine!

        Did not watch. Worth it as far as I can tell?

        In vain. Masterpiece !
        1. +3
          10 October 2022 21: 24
          This matter can be corrected.
          But the more pushes, the more likely it is that I will look without much distraction.
          1. Alf
            +4
            10 October 2022 22: 03
            Quote from Korsar4
            This matter can be corrected.
            But the more pushes, the more likely it is that I will look without much distraction.

            A colleague here advised you the series Rome. Awesome series, only advice, look at the voice acting of NTV, you will not regret it.
            1. +3
              10 October 2022 22: 12
              In turn. I watched 20 minutes of Spartak. And I'm starting to understand the instructions.
              But all three hours of the film can stretch for a while.
    2. +4
      10 October 2022 08: 00
      Good morning, I watched it as a child in the cinema, then I watched it on my computer, they knew how to make good films without legates of Negro origin. But still, Spartacus is quite shown there.
      1. +9
        10 October 2022 08: 21
        Quote: Alexander Salenko
        But still, Spartacus is quite shown there.

        Good morning!
        And I think so. Kirk Douglas is quite in his place. They knew how to make good films in the past, they knew how! Well, we are talking about Cleopatra, as I understand it, Valery will go in the next article, and it’s also a very good film.
        1. VLR
          +4
          10 October 2022 09: 34
          Yes, Kirk Douglas is good, just like in Vikings.
          And there was an article about Cleopatra - a link is given to it, this article ends with this link. By the way, many liked the article "The Last of the Ptolemies".
          1. +3
            10 October 2022 10: 08
            Quote: VlR
            this article ends.

            Greetings to you Valery!
            I read before work, "diagonally" and the footnote just "passed by." I will seriously read your article during the day.
            Quote: VlR
            many liked it.

            Not surprised. I also read your articles with pleasure. hi
  3. +6
    10 October 2022 06: 58
    Thank you, Valery!

    When he brought it, having decided on treason,
    Head of Pompey Rome Ptolemy,
    Feigning Caesar poured tears over her, -
    So the word embodied this scene.
    1. +5
      10 October 2022 07: 35
      "Everything passes, and it passed"

      All age deposits
      Conquests and victories:
      Trophies and ruins of thrones
      Sacred Way where the stone is erased
      In the footsteps of copper legions
      And triumphant cohorts,
      1. +4
        10 October 2022 07: 45
        He's still fast and careless
        And, as always, fearless.
        May the soldier’s age be so fleeting
        May the soldier’s age be so fleeting
        But Rome is eternal, but Rome is eternal.
        1. +3
          10 October 2022 08: 07
          Noise only Rome. - Five steps away
          Citizens in festive clothes,
          Forgetting the prophetic fear
          They scream louder than before.
          Everything flatters their eyes and ears,
          Everything is food for momentary passions:
  4. +6
    10 October 2022 07: 17
    And no revelations, not habitual somehow smile
    1. +4
      10 October 2022 07: 47
      Any pattern can be broken.

      And who to sympathize with - Caesar and Pompey, everyone will decide for himself.
      1. +4
        10 October 2022 11: 09
        And who to sympathize with - Caesar and Pompey, everyone will decide for himself.

        Without options
        1. +3
          10 October 2022 14: 47
          At the first sounds, I found the answer for myself - Genghis Khan.

          It is extremely rare to like something, if not in our language.
          1. VLR
            +6
            10 October 2022 16: 43
            Songs in foreign languages ​​used to have a huge advantage - no one understood them, and it seemed to everyone that foreign singers were singing about something sublime, deep, full of meaning inaccessible to our "siloval" ones. And then translations became available and all the charm was gone, because it turned out that they all sing, including the most "cult" ones, terrible m ... toten.
            1. +2
              10 October 2022 17: 13
              Sometimes you can take music. But again, these are specific units. Of course, this is a view from a specific bell tower. Not more.
  5. +1
    10 October 2022 08: 43
    Good morning everyone!
    I no longer risk with the appeal "Good morning!"
    I compared the first three sculptural portraits... As they say in the Caucasus, "it looks very similar." But I did not expect such appearance from Pompey. Pompey pissed me off! wassat )))
    1. +1
      11 October 2022 04: 27
      Pompey pissed me off!

      Not only to you, Lyudmila Yakovlevna!

      Until now, I imagined the bust somehow differently ... laughing
      hi
      1. +1
        11 October 2022 08: 22
        Oh Michael! love )))
        Glad to see you!
        Indeed, Caesar and Crassus have a kind of masculine squareness, corresponding to the claims to a certain place in the social ladder, and Pompey is such that you can confuse with Aesop. But as they say, the devil hides in the head, not on it...
        And further. According to Suetonius, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus is Caesar's father-in-law! And involuntarily you begin to think how many troubles the death of one woman entailed. And from this point of view it was possible to open the topic, but ...
        But it doesn't happen before. And the other participants in the discussion did not bother, did not see, did not want ...
        I'm on telegrams. There, people are trying to explain what and how, but I don’t dare to lay out my grossly cynical thoughts about what kind of war this is, why all of a sudden and what they want to achieve, but it’s unlikely to succeedwassat )))
        1. +2
          11 October 2022 13: 32
          Caesar and Crassus have a kind of masculine squareness, corresponding to the claims to a certain place in the social ladder, and Pompey is such that you can confuse with Aesop.


          You, Lyudmila Yakovlevna, as always - both in meaning and emotionally are right on target!
          But I, in fact, had in mind a much more prosaic aspect.

          The word "bust" causes me something like this association:


          And to be honest, it's more like this:


          And then they showed us a strange head and called us a bust!
          By the way, such a sculptural form, which includes only the head, possibly with a neck, can formally be called a bust, but more strictly is called, oddly enough, just a "head".

          hi
          1. +1
            11 October 2022 16: 50
            but it is more strictly called, oddly enough, precisely the "head"

            Or maybe just a sculptural portrait? The main thing is the ability of the master to display what is expected, so as not to cause cognitive dissonance. But nature worked against the master. Surely Pompey was even softer in features and even more ugly than represented in marble. And even the invention of photography did not kill the tradition...
            And you are a rascal, Michael! )))
            1. +1
              11 October 2022 18: 30
              The sculptural portrait is an even more general category than the bust.

              And you are a rascal, Michael! )))


              Anecdote:

              - What a rascal you are!
              - Well, not without it ...
              - Well no. Without "this" - what a rascal!


              hi
      2. +1
        11 October 2022 13: 28
        Looks like Leonov.

        Yes, I am fully aware that the comment does not carry useful information.
        1. 0
          11 October 2022 16: 36
          Excellent information, colleague! Welcome to our quiet House of the Master, far from the noise of adversity of the mortal world! Any associations are welcome)))
  6. +4
    10 October 2022 09: 12
    I read and thought - is it really Ryzhov? Everyone was waiting for some kind of call, for which I used to criticize Valery and did not see it. I read it to the end, checked the signature - "Ryzhov V.A." Marvelous. smile
    According to the article itself.
    I have read that Napoleon was very critical of Caesar as a commander, and Pompey did not put a penny at all. He believed that Caesar had done a lot of stupid things, in particular, he considered it a serious mistake that he went after Pompey to Greece by sea. If not for the sloppiness of Pompey, who had complete dominance on the sea, Caesar's invasion could (and should) have ended in disaster. Yes, and the lack of initiative of Pompey, who had every opportunity to first impose a war on two fronts on Caesar, and later smash his troops in Greece in parts, Napoleon estimated with the most contemptuous epithets. Caesar, according to Napoleon, was to lead troops from Italy to Greece by land, in a single fist and attack Pompey from the north.
    In general, neither one nor the other, according to Bonaparte, proved to be talented commanders.
    1. +2
      10 October 2022 10: 42
      Right.
      It is better to swing at Caesar, or at another large figure.
      Like Shakespeare.

      And Napoleon was looking for a place in this pantheon.
      1. +4
        10 October 2022 12: 11
        Like, Pompey is a nonentity, Caesar is mediocrity, Bonaparte is a force ... smile
        Although in general, Napoleon treated Caesar with sufficient respect.
        1. +4
          10 October 2022 13: 55
          Compilation of a rating in the spirits of the books "One Hundred Great Generals".
          1. +2
            10 October 2022 14: 24
            Well, Napoleon himself considered himself, of course, the greatest. And he definitely had reasons for this, although some (I, for example smile ) could argue...
    2. +3
      10 October 2022 11: 08
      Bonya is openly biased.
      Caesar landed in Greece under the dominance of the enemy fleet. And won
      Bonaparte did not dare to land in Britain under the dominance of the enemy fleet. And lost
      Retrospectively, it turned out to be embarrassing, so I had to fight already in my memoirs.
      1. +2
        10 October 2022 12: 08
        Quote: Engineer
        Bonya is openly biased.

        Probably.
        If I remember correctly, he wrote all this already on the island of St. Helena, so this is most likely really a loser's complex.
    3. +2
      10 October 2022 19: 39
      Napoleon appreciated the most contemptuous epithets. Caesar, according to Napoleon, was to lead troops from Italy to Greece by land, in a single fist and attack Pompey from the north.
      In general, neither one nor the other, according to Bonaparte, proved to be talented commanders.

      Good evening Michael!
      We are all smart in hindsight! Including Napoleon after the Egyptian company, where he found the rake of Julius Caesar! By the way, Guy Julius Caesar, unlike Bonaparte, won! Napoleon, on the other hand, fled.
      By the way, Pompey's superiority at sea was imaginary, since Rome fought at sea as well as on land, with its legionnaires !!!
    4. 0
      10 October 2022 20: 28
      In general, neither one nor the other, according to Bonaparte, proved to be talented commanders.
      It, of course, the opinion of the Corsican makes some sense, but he himself did not put Kutuzov at all, but he still had to flee Russia, leaving the army.
    5. +2
      11 October 2022 04: 51
      Hello Michael!

      he considered it a serious mistake that he went after Pompey to Greece by sea. If not for the slovenliness of Pompey, who had complete dominance on the sea, Caesar's invasion could (and should) have ended in disaster.

      At the expense of "sloppiness": dominance at sea allowed Pompey to "not worry too much" with the most important problem of any expedition.
      in the army of Pompey were about 8 thousand infantrymen of the eastern allies. Thus, the size of his army was about 50 people ... Pompey's army had enough food


      Smash me with thunder!
      How? How?!!! How to feed 50 people in a very limited space? And not just a “person”, but people whom you will send into battle tomorrow!

      Being still a young and not really fledgling commander, he was suddenly involved with his unit in plague research exercises (it was studied how much this unit should be screwed up so that it would lose the ability to solve tasks for its intended purpose).
      But I had one and a half hundred soldiers and three dozen officers / ensigns.
      HUNDRED FIFTY, not FIFTY THOUSAND!
      It was during the times of fierce Gorbachevism. The regiment supplied us only with bread.
      WHAT TO FEED THEM?! - I went through all these exercises with this gimor.

      About how everything turned out more than in chocolate, you can write seven volumes of anecdotes (like, ensign Shelmenko, sent to reconnoitre the surrounding villages and equipped with a canister of alcohol for this, provided not only ..., but also ...).
      Or else like this: a wife meets her husband, who has been feeding taiga mosquitoes for a month and a half, and instead of throwing herself into a passionate embrace, she rushes into a furious attack - they say, they come from the exercises thin and dirty, and you, <bad person>, something you look suspiciously happy! (this is not a notion, this is how my wife met my ZASovets ...)

      Crap! How? How did Pompey feed his army?
      Probably with what he could get by sea. So perhaps Caesar was not so wrong in choosing the wet path. But why he did not try to disrupt the enemy’s sea communications is not clear.

      Valery, of course, sincere thanks for the wonderful article!
      hi
      1. VLR
        +2
        11 October 2022 07: 26
        Yes, Pompey was supplied precisely by sea, where his fleet dominated. And Caesar was in serious trouble. Pompey, in theory, should have tried to keep his opponents in place and wait until Caesar's hungry soldiers began to scatter.
  7. +1
    10 October 2022 12: 10
    As a result of the campaigns, Pompey moved away from Rome, recruited anyone into his army, so he himself turned into a barbarian.
    1. 0
      10 October 2022 19: 43
      Quote from DiViZ
      As a result of the campaigns, Pompey moved away from Rome, recruited anyone into his army, so he himself turned into a barbarian.

      History is written by the winners. The contemporaries of Caesar and Octavian did not even bother to hang "stamps" on their "anti-heroes"! You are even surprised how similar Pompey and Anthony are among the ancient authors !!!
  8. 0
    10 October 2022 14: 34
    Good day to everyone "soon their paths parted" I would be very surprised if it were otherwise: 2 lairs cannot get along, but here 3.
    After all, everyone believed that it was he who was able to effectively manage, but he was interfered with. 2 clothespins
  9. +2
    10 October 2022 15: 08
    Wow! Cool article! Respect to the Author!
  10. +1
    10 October 2022 15: 09
    Despite the damage to the bust, Cleopatra was beautiful: pay attention to her facial features
    1. +2
      10 October 2022 15: 10
      Cleopatra's beauty probably has little to do with the degree of damage to her bust.
      1. +1
        10 October 2022 19: 51
        I don’t know “mulk” or not, but the archaeologists who opened the burial with the mummy of Cleopatra claim that the “nose” “spoiled” everything. laughing
        1. +1
          10 October 2022 21: 11
          I totally admit it. It's always better to see "I hit my head against the wall in a box."
  11. +1
    10 October 2022 17: 55
    Already in those days, history was turned into propaganda, and therefore it is not possible to find out the exact details of certain events, especially if we take into account one more feature - history is written by the winners. Even now, the younger generation of Western countries is sure that it was the United States and Britain that defeated the Wehrmacht, and not the Red Army.
  12. +1
    10 October 2022 20: 07
    Interesting portraits, thanks to the author.
    However, the author should not fall into fiction, replicating stories about patricians who timidly hide their faces.
    And the fate of the battle was decided, by the way, in the center, and not as a result of flank coverage, which corresponded to the usual tactics of the Roman army in a general battle, which repeatedly shed tears of blood, for example, at Cannae. In the same place, in the center, by the way, Caesar's favorite legion, the tenth, also fought.
  13. +2
    10 October 2022 22: 37
    Meanwhile, Caesar's powers in Gaul expired, and the senate demanded his return to Rome.

    And all that was business was to reset the terms of office of Caesar in Gaul, they would have further republicanized, and not turned into an empire.
    Although unlikely.
    The time of empire has come, and Gaius Maria Lucius Cornelius Sulla beat off the first attempt on the foundations of the happy, moreover, in a way that was by no means democratic, but in a modern way, so pure fascist. Dictatorship, executions, proscription lists. Order, they say, should be - at any cost!
    And if the empire had not arisen, the gigantic Roman state would not have existed for another 500 years in its western part and 1500 in its eastern part.
    So, according to the results, Caesar is great, he would have lost - he would have remained an unsuccessful rebel, of which there are many.
    And current democracies also tend to either dictatorship / empire, or they will not historically exist for a long time ... I think that Russia and the United States are primarily concerned, and the PRC too, other states, including Great Britain, France, Germany or Iran on the modern historical process is much less affected.
  14. +1
    11 October 2022 08: 25
    Quote: Luminman
    One ancient Greek historian wrote that if it were not for internal strife in Rome, then he would have captured and owned all the then known world ...


    China, India... would definitely be too tough. Hardly.
    Just as the US in its hegemony followed the track laid by the British Empire, so Rome followed the track laid by Alexander and the Hellenic culture. Outside of it, the possibilities of Rome would be very limited.
  15. 0
    11 October 2022 08: 30
    Quote: faterdom
    The time of empire has come, and Gaius Maria Lucius Cornelius Sulla repulsed the first attempt on the foundations of the happy, moreover, in a way that was by no means democratic, but in a modern way, so pure fascist.


    Yeah, he defended the foundations, how. In fact, he was the first emperor in the modern sense of the word. With Mari, they were just competitors, both sought sole power. It was just that Sulla was not stupid and covered up his truly royal power with a fig leaf of republican foundations.
    I understood that the main thing is not slogans and signs, but the essence of power. Therefore, he died in his bed, having lived to an advanced age. Unlike the hasty Caesar.
  16. 0
    11 October 2022 08: 37
    Quote: VlR
    Meanwhile, some consider him (and his closest associates) not a prisoner of war, but a Roman citizen - a Marian who was illegally repressed by Sulla.


    He was a Thracian leader, a Roman ally in the war with Mithridates. A mid-level officer who knew Roman tactics and combat methods very well. For disobedience, he was sold into slavery, so he became a gladiator.
    1. VLR
      +2
      11 October 2022 10: 24
      No one knows for sure who Spartacus was - the great commander and organizer who appeared out of nowhere. One of the mysteries of history
      The name Spartak is also a mystery, it is not found anywhere else - neither before nor after. According to one version, this is not a name, but a nickname - that was the name of one of the dogs turned by Artemis into a deer Actaeon - which tore the owner to pieces. This is the only mention of the word Spartacus in history before the appearance of the leader of the rebels. The Thracian version is weak. Many generally think that he was called a Thracian because he acted as a Thracian in gladiatorial battles - that is, he had Thracian weapons (and not Gallic, for example).
      1. 0
        11 October 2022 17: 16
        Quote: VlR
        The name Spartak is also a mystery, it is not found anywhere else - neither before nor after.

        Why doesn't it meet? the whole Bosporan dynasty of Spartokids was hi
        1. VLR
          +1
          11 October 2022 20: 07
          These are different names with different accents. And, if the armies of consuls were driven by the Thracian prince, the Romans would certainly note this and would not consider it a great shame. But when it is not clear who appears and from a completely inappropriate material - slaves who do not know how to handle weapons - creates a combat-ready army - this is no way. And the war with Spartacus was perceived as shameful for Rome.
          1. 0
            11 October 2022 23: 16
            And the most suggestive thing is that Spartak was not a Thracian: he shied away across the Apennine peninsula back and forth, defeating the Roman legions along the way, but at the same time did not go to Thrace, to his own people, in order to lead the national liberation movement of the Thracians there, but then all the recently conquered Greeks and Bosporans, having received there both a powerful rear base, and troops no worse than the Romans, and motivated in no way less, if not more, than motley and multilingual gladiators and slaves.
            The goals are clear and understandable.
            But for a Thracian, whom Spartak apparently was not. And he was, if not a Roman, then from the Italian tribes, who also fought for their equal rights with the Latins for a very long time.
            1. 0
              12 October 2022 09: 01
              Quote: faterdom
              And the most suggestive thing is that Spartak was not a Thracian: he shied back and forth across the Apennine peninsula, defeating the Roman legions along the way, but at the same time did not go to Thrace,


              Spartacus wanted to withdraw his army from the peninsula. And by land and using a fleet of pirates. The fact that this did not happen is not only his fault.
              And it was worth withdrawing the army of slaves to Spain until Sertorius was finally defeated by Pompey. Although I don’t know, maybe Spartak wouldn’t have had time.
              If Spartacus and Sertorius had been able to join forces, the history of the Roman Empire could have been noticeably shorter. But this is alternative fantasy.
              There were no national liberation movements in Thrace and Greece, there was nothing to lead. The Romans not only kept their power with swords, they skillfully lured the local elites. So it's also alternative fantasy.
          2. 0
            12 October 2022 08: 52
            Quote: VlR
            And, if the armies of consuls were driven by the Thracian prince, the Romans would certainly note this and would not consider it a great shame.


            And why celebrate if the fact was well known to them?
            Nevertheless, they considered the federal allies below themselves, like warriors, so it’s still a shame. This is one.
            Moreover, in the Roman army, Spartacus was, according to modern concepts, a mid-level officer. Commanded a battalion, so to speak. If a retired major drives generals with pissing rags, is that not a shame? This is two!
            Do you seriously believe that a person who does not know the service, who does not have the skill and experience in military affairs, could create a huge army from scratch, and even win victories over the Roman legions? Yes, if he were a genius three times - it's simply impossible!
            So he was a leader or the son of a leader, who was trained from childhood for military affairs. Otherwise, he would not have taken place as a commander.
            As for the slaves, among them were former soldiers who became slaves after being captured. Rome fought a lot. With the same Mithridates, with the Gauls .... by the way, let's not forget about Sertorius in Spain, who raised an uprising against Rome no less large-scale than Spartacus. But he acted in the provinces, therefore he is less known.
  17. +1
    12 October 2022 02: 16
    Thank you. But these legends about the alleged decision to beat riders in the face have been transmitted many, many times.
    It’s even interesting, but where did they try to beat the riders before?
    I think it's just a much later invented bike.

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