The Battle of Pharsalus is a decisive battle of Caesar's Civil War.

On August 9, 48 BCE at Pharsalus in central Greece, Gaius Julius Caesar and his allies form up opposite the army of the republic under the command of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus ("Pompey the Great").

Pompey has the backing of a majority of the senators, of whom many are optimates, and his army significantly outnumbers the veteran Caesarian legions.The two armies confront each other for several months of uncertainty, Caesar being in a much worse position than Pompey.

The former find shimself isolated in a hostile country with only 22,000 men and short of provisions, while on the other side of the river he is faced by Pompey with an army at least three times as great.

Pompey wants to delay, knowing the enemy will eventually surrender from hunger and exhaustion.

Pressured by the Senators present and by his officers, he reluctantly engages in battle and suffers an overwhelming defeat, ultimately fleeing the camp and his men disguised as an ordinary citizen.