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The Roman Revolution
Pharsalus, and Egypt
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Pompey had 40,000 men, Caesar only 22,000, but Caesar's men were seasoned veterans and much of Pompey's forces were little more than the home guard. On the other hand, Caesar had to be the one to attack and Pompey was on good ground. Nevertheless, the many senators in Pompey's camp pressed him to be the one to attack first, and in the end he did so, against his better judgment.
Despite the odds, Caesar won the battle. Quite a number of senators fell at Pharsalus, and Pompey himself fled to Egypt. Caesar quickly ordered matters in Greece and pursued Pompey. When the Egyptians saw Caesar coming after their unwelcome guest, they discreetly murdered Pompey.
Thus ended the first Triumvirate. Crassus was dead. Pompey was dead. Only Caesar remained. But he was in Egypt. A number of the provinces were either in rebellion or were threatened, most notably Syria and Asia, Africa, and Spain. Caesar might be the only one left standing, but he still had far to go before he could claim to be master of Rome.
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| Cleopatra Pharoah of Egypt |
Caesar stayed in Alexandria and was soon besieged in the palace by the Alexandrines, who hated the occupying force. At one point, the Egyptian pharoah had to come to his rescue.
That pharoah was a 17 year-old young woman named Cleopatra. She was a descendant not only of the pharoahs, but also of the Ptolemies, so she was both Greek and Macedonian. Caesar was smitten with her and the two spent much time together, including a four-month cruise up the Nile.