themselves
with quarrelling about the expected spoils of war. Cato and Cicero
remained behind in Epirus, the former disgusted at the actions of the
degenerate nobility, the latter pleading ill health.

The two armies encamped on a plain in Thessaly near the river Enipeus,
only four miles apart. Between them lay a low hill called PHARSALUS,
which gave name to the battle which followed.

"The battle of PHARSALIA (August 9, 48) has acquired a special place
in history, because it was fought by the Roman aristocracy in their
own persons in defence of their own supremacy. Senators and the sons
of Senators, the heirs of the names and fortunes of the ancient Roman
families, the leaders of society in Roman salons, and the chiefs of the
political party of the optimates (aristocracy) were here present on
the field. The other great actions were fought by the ignoble multitude
whose deaths were of less significance. The plains of Pharsalia were
watered by the precious blood of the elect of the earth."

For several days the armies watched each other without decisive action.
One morning towards the end of May (August 9, old style) Caesar noticed
a movement in Pompey's lines that told him the expected attack was
coming.

The position of the Senatorial army was well taken. Its right wing
rested on the Enipeus, its left was spread out on the plain. Pompey
himself commanded the left with the two legions the Senate had taken
from Caesar. Outside him on the plain were his allies covered by the
cavalry. Opposite Pompey was Caesar, with the famous Tenth Legion.
His left and centre were led by his faithful Tribunes, Mark Antony and
Cassius Longinus.

At the given signal Caesar's front ranks advanced on a run, threw
their darts, drew their swords, and closed in. At once Pompey's cavalry
charged, outflanking the enemy's right wing, and driving back the
opposing cavalry, who were inferior in numbers. But as they advanced
flushed with victory, Caesar's fourth line, which he had held in
reserve, and which was made up of the flower of his legions, appeared
in their way. So fierce was their attack that the Pompeians wavered,
turned, and fled. They never rallied. The fourth line threw themselves
upon Pompey's left wing, which was now unprotected. This wing, composed
of Caesar's old veterans, was probably in no mood to fight its former
comrades in arms. At any rate, it turned and fled. Pompey himself
mounted his horse and rode off in despair. Th