Defeating Pompey

Abstract This chapter examines Julius Caesar’s strategic acumen during his campaign against Pompey, focusing on his use of engineering and psychological tactics to outmaneuver Afranius and Petreius near Lerida. Caesar manipulates the Segre River to isolate the opposing army, harasses their forces with cavalry, and leverages his troops’ superior discipline, ultimately forcing his enemies’ surrender without a full-scale battle. He skillfully balances mercy and political propaganda, portraying himself as the defender of Roman virtues and sowing doubt among Pompey’s followers. It contrasts Caesar’s cohesion with the disarray in Pompey’s camp, where political infighting and misjudgments lead to critical failures, including the forced battle at Pharsalus. Finally, the chapter explores Caesar’s consolidation of power through debt reforms, property restoration, and the laying of the groundwork for continued campaigns, underscoring Caesar’s unmatched ability to merge military success with political strategy.