Pharsalus

Where did Pompey and the Senate flee to when Caesar crossed the Rubicon?

How did Caesar manage to reach Greece?

• he got enough troops from Spain to break through the blockade

• Bibulus was a bad naval commander so couldn't face Caesar's fleet

• confusion about the date - the Pompeians thought it was already winter

What problems did Caesar face while in Greece?

• smaller army

• lack of supplies

• limited local support

• desertion to Pompey

What advantage did Caesar have during his war with Pompey?

• greater tactical genius

• battle-hardened troops

• camped in a strong position

• lots of local support

Which battle did Caesar lose?

• Dyrrhachium

• Pharsalus

• Epirus

• Thessaly

Where did Pompey manage to trap Caesar?

• Epirus

• Dyrrhachium

• Thessaly

Why did Pompey decide to risk an outright battle instead of continuing with his starvation strategy?

• pressure from the senate for a decisive victory

• Caesar had escaped too many times

• Pompey had won at Dyrrhachium

• a traitor in Caesar's camp told him of a weakness in Caesar's wall

What disadvantages did Caesar face at Pharsalus?

• infantry weaker so only 6-deep ranks

• cavalry smaller

• officers inexperienced

• soldiers exhausted by charging

How did Caesar win at Pharsalus?

• Pompey waited for Caesar to charge

• missed Caesar's hidden 4th infantry line behind the cavalry

• Pompey's cavalry fled the plain, leaving the infantry exposed

• Pompey abandoned his men to escape himself

• greater experience and discipline of Caesar's troops