12. Did he remain long in this place?
13. What means did Caesar adopt to distress the enemy?
14. What did he promise himself from the adoption of this plan?
15. How were both armies employed?
16. What was the conduct of Caesar on this occasion?
17. How did Pompey frustrate his designs?
18. Was he successful in his attempts?
19. What was Caesar"s resolution on this occasion?
20. By what means did he effect this?
21. Did Pompey make the most of his victory?
22. Whither did Caesar betake himself, and what was the consequence of his defeat?
23. Did he quietly submit to this insult?
24. What revenge did he take?
25. How did Pompey act on this occasion?
26. Where was this great contest about to be decided?
SECTION IV.
Each had proposed an empire to be won; Had each once known a Pompey for his son, Had Caesar"s soul informed each private breast.
A fiercer fury could not be expressed.--_Lucan_.
1. Caesar had employed all his art for some time in sounding the inclinations of his men; and finding his army once more resolute and vigorous, he advanced towards the plains of Pharsa"lia, where Pompey was encamped.
2. The approach of two armies, composed of the best and bravest troops in the world, together with the greatness of the prize for which they contended, filled every mind with anxiety, though with different expectations. 3. Pompey"s army, being most numerous, turned all their thoughts to the enjoyment of the victory; Caesar"s considered only the means of obtaining it; Pompey"s army depended upon their numbers, and their many generals; Caesar"s upon their discipline, and the conduct of their single commander. 4. Pompey"s partisans hoped much from the justice of their cause; Caesar"s alleged the frequent proposals which they had made for peace without effect. Thus the views, hopes and motives of both seemed different, whilst their hatred and ambition were the same. 5. Caesar, who was ever foremost in offering battle, led out his army to meet the enemy; but Pompey, either suspecting his troops, or dreading the event, kept his advantageous situation at the foot of the hill near which he was posted. 6. Caesar, unwilling to attack him at a disadvantage, resolved to decamp the next day, hoping to weary out his antagonist, who was not a match for him in sustaining the fatigues of duty. 7. Accordingly the order for marching was given, and the tents were struck, when word was brought him that Pompey"s army had now quitted their intrenchments, and advanced farther into the plain than usual; so that he might engage them at less disadvantage. 8. Upon this he caused his troops to halt, and, with a countenance of joy, informed them that the happy time was at last come, which they had so long wished for, and which was to crown their glory, and terminate their fatigues. He then drew up his troops in order, and advanced towards the place of battle. 9. His forces did not amount to above half those of Pompey; the army of the one was about forty-five thousand foot, and seven thousand horse: that of the other not exceeding twenty-two thousand foot, and about a thousand horse.
10. This disproportion, particularly in the cavalry, had filled Caesar with apprehensions; he therefore had some days before picked out the strongest and nimblest of his foot soldiers, and accustomed them to fight between the ranks of his cavalry. By their a.s.sistance, his thousand horse was a match for Pompey"s seven thousand, and had actually got the better in a skirmish that happened between them some days before.
11. Pompey, on the other hand, had a strong expectation of success; he boasted that he could put Caesar"s legions to flight without striking a single blow; presuming that as soon as the armies formed, his cavalry, on which he placed his greatest expectations, would out-flank and surround the enemy. In this disposition Pompey led his troops to battle. 12. As the armies approached, the two generals went from rank to rank, encouraging their men, exciting their hopes, and lessening their apprehensions. 13. Pompey represented to his men that the glorious occasion which they had long besought him to grant was now before them. "What advantages," said he, "could you wish, that you are not now possessed of. Your numbers, your vigour, a late victory, all a.s.sure us of a speedy and an easy conquest of those hara.s.sed and broken troops, composed of men worn out with age, and impressed with the terrors of a recent defeat; but there is still a stronger bulwark for our protection than the superiority of our strength; and that is, the justice of our cause. You are engaged in the defence of liberty and of your country; you are supported by its laws, and followed by its magistrates; the world are spectators of your conduct, and wish you success: on the contrary, he whom you oppose is a robber, an oppressor of his country, already nearly sunk with the consciousness of his crimes, as well as the ill success of his arms. Show then, on this occasion, all that ardour and detestation of tyranny which should animate Romans, and do justice to mankind."
14. Caesar, on his part, went among his men with that steady serenity for which he was so much admired in the midst of danger. He insisted on nothing so strongly, as his frequent and unsuccessful endeavours for peace. He spoke with terror of the blood he was about to shed, and pleaded the necessity that urged him to it. He deplored the many brave men that were to fall on both sides, and the wounds of his country, whoever might be victorious. 15. His soldiers answered only with looks of ardour and impatience. He gave the signal to begin. The word on Pompey"s side was, "Her"cules the Invincible:" that on Caesar"s, "Ve"nus the Victorious." 16. There was no more s.p.a.ce between both armies than to give room for the charge: Pompey therefore ordered his men to receive the first shock without moving from their places, expecting the enemy"s ranks to be put into disorder. Caesar"s soldiers were now rushing on with their usual impetuosity, when, perceiving the enemy motionless, they all stopt short, as if by general consent, and halted in the midst of their career. 17. A terrible pause ensued, in which both armies continued to gaze upon each other with mutual terror and dreadful serenity. At length, Caesar"s men having taken breath, ran furiously upon the enemy, first discharging their javelins, and then drawing their swords. The same method was observed by Pompey"s troops, who as firmly sustained the attack. His cavalry also were ordered to charge at the very onset, which, with the mult.i.tude of archers and slingers, soon obliged Caesar"s men to give ground. 18.
Caesar instantly ordered the six cohorts, that were placed as a reinforcement, to advance, and to strike at the enemy"s faces. 19.
This had its desired effect: Pompey"s cavalry, that were just before sure of the victory, received an immediate check. The unusual method of fighting pursued by the cohorts, their aiming entirely at the visages of the a.s.sailants, and the horrible disfiguring wounds they made, all contributed to intimidate them so much, that instead of defending their persons, they endeavoured only to save their faces.[10] 20. A total rout ensued; they fled to the neighbouring mountains, while the archers and slingers, who were thus abandoned, were cut to pieces. 21. Caesar now commanded the cohorts to pursue their success, and charge Pompey"s troops upon the flank: this charge the enemy withstood for some time with great bravery, till Caesar brought up his third line, which had not yet engaged. 22. Pompey"s infantry being thus doubly attacked, in front by fresh troops, and in the rear by the victorious cohorts, could no longer resist, but fled to their camp. The flight began among the strangers. Pompey"s right wing still valiantly maintained their ground. 23. Caesar, however, convinced that the victory was certain, with his usual clemency cried out to pursue the strangers, but to spare the Romans; upon which they all laid down their arms and received quarter. The greatest slaughter was among the auxiliaries, who fled on all sides. 24. The battle had now lasted from break of day till noon, and the weather was extremely hot; nevertheless, the conquerors remitted not their ardour, being encouraged by the example of a general, who thought his victory incomplete till he should become master of the enemy"s camp.
Accordingly, marching on foot at their head, he called upon them to follow and strike the decisive blow. 25. The cohorts which were left to defend the camp, for some time made a formidable resistance; particularly a great number of Thra"cians and other barbarians, who were appointed for that purpose; but nothing could resist the ardour of Caesar"s victorious army; the enemy were at last driven from the trenches, and compelled to fly to the mountains.
_Questions for Examination._
1. What was the state of Caesar"s army immediately before the battle of Pharsalia?
2. What effect had the approaching event on the minds of men?
3. What were the respective advantages of each army?
4. On what did they princ.i.p.ally build their hopes?
5. Who was the first to offer battle?
6. How did Caesar act on this occasion?
7. What followed?
8. What effect had this intelligence on Caesar"s plan?
9. Of what number of troops were each of the armies composed?
10. What did Caesar consider necessary to be done to remedy this dis-proportion?
11. What were Pompey"s expectations and boasts?
12. What was the conduct of the generals?
13. Repeat Pompey"s address to his troops?
14. How did Caesar encourage his men?
15. What effect had this speech, and what was the word on both sides?
16. In what manner did the attack commence?
17. Describe the progress of the battle?
18. What means did Caesar adopt to prevent a defeat?
19. Was this measure successful?
20. What was the consequence?
21. What were Caesar"s farther commands?
22. What followed?
23. What use did Caesar make of his victory?
24. Did not fatigue abate the ardour of Caesar"s troops?
25. Did they attempt to defend the camp?