The Civil War: 50–48 BC

Julius Caesar’s The Civil War, one of only two surviving works by the great Roman general, describes the years of turmoil between 50 and 48 B.C. when Pompey the Great and Caesar fought for the dictatorship of Rome. For several years their joint rule of Rome had been strained. The third member of their First Triumvirate, Crassus, had been killed in 53 B.C. while at war in Syria. Caesar was then in Gaul, waging a brilliant campaign that would extend the empire to the shores of the English Channel.

Pompey, jealous of Caesar’s success, remained in Rome, plotting with supporters to overthrow the triumvirate and seize power for himself alone. He called on the Senate to disband Caesar’s army. The Senate, no doubt intimidated by Pompey’s army at the gates of Rome, duly ordered Caesar to lay down his arms or be considered a traitor. Caesar, undaunted and with his triumphant troops at his back, crossed the Rubicon into Roman home territory and in doing so declared war on Pompey, the Senate and the Roman State.

Two years of war across the empire finally led to the defeat of Pompey at Pharsalus; and now Julius Caesar’s way to becoming dictator of Rome lay unopposed. The days of the Roman Republic were numbered and the dawn of the Roman Empire was at hand.