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The Spanish Wars
By Julius Caesar


Translated by W. A. McDevitte and W. S. Bohn

Chapter 1 

On the defeat of Pharnaces and reduction of Africa, those who escaped
from those battles fled to young Cn. Pompey, who had taken possession
of Further Spain, while Caesar was detained in Italy in exhibiting
games. Pompey began to throw himself on the protection of every state,
in order the more readily to establish the means of defense against
him. Accordingly, with a considerable force which had been collected,
partly by entreaty, partly by force, he began to lay waste the province.
Under these circumstances some states voluntarily sent him supplies,
others shut the gates of their towns against him. If any of these
chanced to fall into his hands by assault, although some citizen in
it had deserved well of Cn. Pompey (his father), yet some cause was
alleged against him on account of the greatness of his wealth, so
that, he being dispatched, his fortune might become the reward of
the soldiers. Thus the enemy, being encouraged by a few advantages,
their forces increased much, wherefore those states which were opposed
to Pompey, by continual messages dispatched to Italy, sought protection
for themselves. 

Chapter 2 

When Caesar, now a third time dictator, and elected a fourth time,
having already proceeded many marches into Spain with prompt dispatch,
was coming to finish the war, he was met on the way by embassadors
from Corduba, who had deserted Cn. Pompey; these informed him that
it would be an easy matter to make himself master of the town by night,
because the enemy as yet knew nothing of his arrival in the province,
as the scouts sent out by Cn. Pompey to inform him of Caesar's approach
had been all made prisoners. They alleged besides many other very
plausible reasons. He, therefore, immediately sent intelligence of
his arrival to Q. Pedius, and Q. Fabius Maximus his lieutenants, to
whom he had left the command of the troops in the province, ordering
them to send him all the cavalry they had been able to raise. He came
up with them much sooner than they expected, and had not the protection
of the cavalry, according to his desire. 

Chapter 3 

Sextus Pompey, the brother of Cneius, commanded at this time at Corduba,
which was accounted the capital of the province. Young Cneius Pompey
himself was employed in the siege of Ulia, which had now lasted some
months. Notice of Caesar's arrival having been received, messengers
having passed Pompey's guards came to him from that town and besought
him to send them relief as soon as possible. Caesar, knowing that
this people had deserved very well of the Romans, detached, about
nine o'clock, at night eleven cohorts, with a like number of horse,
under the command of L. Julius Paciecus, a man known in that province,
and also well acquainted with it. When he arrived at Pompey's quarter,
a dreadful tempest arising, attended with a violent wind, so great
a darkness ensued that you could scarcely have distinguished even
the person next you. This accident proved of great advantage to Paciecus:
for being arrived at Pompey's camp, he ordered the cavalry to advance
two by two, and march directly through the enemy's quarters to the
town; one of their guards calling to know who passed, one of our troopers
bade him be silent, for they were just then endeavoring by stealth
to approach the wall, in order to get possession of the town; and
partly by this answer, partly by favor of the tempest, the sentinels
were prevented from examining things diligently. When they reached
the gates, upon a signal being given, they were admitted; and both
horse and foot raising a loud shout, after leaving some troops to
guard the town, sallied in a body upon the enemy's camp. This came
upon them so unexpectedly that the greater number of the men in the
camps thought that they were captured. 

Chapter 4 

Ulia being relieved, Caesar, to draw Pompey from the siege, marched
toward Corduba; sending the cavalry before, with a select body of
heavy-armed foot; who, as soon as they came within sight of the place,
got up behind the troopers. By this stratagem they could not possibly
be perceived by those of Corduba. Upon their approach to the walls,
the enemy sallied in great numbers to attack our cavalry; when the
infantry, whom we have mentioned above, leaping down, fell upon them
with such fury that out of an almost infinite multitude of men, very
few returned to the town. This so alarmed Sextus Pompey that he immediately
sent letters to his brother, requesting him to come speedily to his
relief, lest Caesar should make himself master of Corduba before his
arrival. Thus Cn. Pompey, moved by his brother's letters, quitted
the siege of Ulia, which was upon the point of surrendering, and set
out toward Corduba. 

Chapter 5 

Caesar, arriving at the river Guadalquivir, which he found too deep
to be forded, sank several baskets of stones in it. Thus having formed
a bridge, he transported his troops in three bodies to the camps.
As I have just mentioned, the beams of the bridge stretched over against
the tower in two rows. Pompey, arriving soon after with his troops,
encamped directly over against him. Caesar, to cut off his provisions
and communication with the town, ran a line from his camp to the bridge.
Pompey did the same; so that a struggle arose between the two generals,
which should first get possession of the bridge; and this daily brought
on skirmishes, in which sometimes the one, sometimes the other party
had the better. When these merged into a serious engagement, both
sides fought hand to hand; in the heat of the struggle for this position,
owing to the narrowness of the bridge, they were pressed together,
and in their efforts to extend themselves toward the river-side, many
fell headlong. Thus the loss was pretty equal; for on either side
lay heaps of slain, and Caesar for many days used all possible endeavors
to bring the enemy to an engagement on equal terms, that he might
bring the war to a conclusion as soon as possible. 

Chapter 6 

But finding that they carefully avoided a battle, with a view to which
chiefly he had quitted the route of Ulia; he caused great fires to
be lighted in the night, repassed the river with all his forces, and
marched toward Ategua, one of their strongest garrisons. Pompey, being
informed of this by the deserters, on the same day brought back many
carriages and machines by narrow paths, and betook himself to Corduba.
Caesar began his attack upon Ategua, and carried lines quite round
the town. Pompey, having intelligence of this, set out upon his march
the same day. In order to guard against his arrival, Caesar possessed
himself of many forts; partly to shelter his cavalry, partly to post
guards of infantry for the defense of his camp. Pompey's arrival happened
at a time when the mist was very thick, so that he found means, with
some cohorts and troops of cavalry, to hem in a party of Caesar's
horse, and fell upon them in such manner that very few escaped slaughter.

Chapter 7 

The following night Pompey set fire to his camp, passed the river
Rio Salado, and, marching through the valleys, encamped on a rising
ground, between the two towns of Ategua and Ucubis. Caesar cast up
a mound and brought forward his machines, with other preparations
which were necessary for storming the town. The country all around
is mountainous, and seems formed for war, being separated from the
plain by the river Rio Salado, ascending on the side toward Ategua,
about two miles from the river. Pompey's camp was upon these mountains,
within view of both towns; he could, however, send no relief to his
friends. He had the emblems and standards of thirteen legions, but
of those on whom he trusted for support two were natives which had
deserted from Trebonius; one was formed out of the Roman colonies
in those parts; and a fourth, belonging to Afranius, he had brought
with him from Africa; the rest were for the most part made up of fugitives
and deserters; in light-armed foot and cavalry we far exceeded him
in both courage and numbers. 

Chapter 8 

Another reason why Pompey was enabled to protract the war was that
the country was full of mountains and extremely well adapted to encampments.
For almost the whole province of Further Spain, though of an extremely
fertile soil, and abounding in springs, is nevertheless very difficult
of access. Here too, on account of the frequent incursions of the
natives, all the places remote from great towns, are fortified with
towers and castles, covered as in Africa, not with tiles but with
earth, on these they place sentinels, and their high situation commands
an extensive view of the country on all sides. Nay, the greatest part
of the towns of this province are built on mountains, and places exceedingly
strong by nature, the approaches to which are extremely difficult.
Thus sieges are rare and hazardous in Spain, since it is not easy
to reduce their towns by force; as happened in the present war. For
Pompey having established his camp between Ategua and Ucubis, as related
above, and within view of both towns, Caesar possessed himself of
an eminence very conveniently situated, and only about four miles
from his own camp, on which he built a fortress. 

Chapter 9 

Pompey, who, from the nature of the ground, was covered by the same
eminence, which was besides at a sufficient distance from Caesar's
quarters, became sensible of the importance of this post; and as Caesar
was separated from it by the river Rio Salado, he imagined that the
difficulty of sending relief would prevent his attempting any thing
of that kind in its defense. Influenced by this belief, he set out
about midnight and attacked the fort, that he might bring assistance
to the besieged. Our troops, upon their approach, setting up a shout,
discharged their javelins in great numbers, and wounded multitudes
of men. After this, when those in the camp began to resist, and when
tidings of it was conveyed to the great camps to Caesar, he set out
with three legions, and when he approached them, many were killed,
owing to their trepidation and flight, and a great number made prisoners.
Among these two * * *; and many others, having thrown down their arms
escaped, so that fourscore shields were found. 

Chapter 10 

The next day Arguetius arrived from Italy with the cavalry, and five
standards taken from the Saguntines; but was forced to quit his post
by Asprenas, who likewise brought a reinforcement from Italy to Caesar.
The same night Pompey set fire to his camp, and drew toward Corduba.
A king, named Indus, who was bringing some troops to Caesar with a
party of cavalry, following the pursuit of the enemy too briskly,
was made prisoner, and slain by the Spanish legionaries.

Chapter 11 

On the next day, our cavalry pursued those who were employed in carrying
provisions from the town to Pompey's camp, almost to the very walls
of Corduba, and took fifty prisoners besides horses. On the same day,
Q. Marcius, a military tribune in Pompey's army, deserted to us. At
midnight, a keen encounter took place in the town, and they hurled
fire and every means was resorted to by which fire could be cast.
When the attack was ended, C. Fundanius, a Roman knight, quitted the
enemy, and came over to us. 

Chapter 12 

On the next day, two Spanish legionaries, who pretended to be slaves,
were made prisoners by a party of our horse; but being brought to
the camp, they were known by the soldiers, who had formerly served
under Fabius and Pedeius, and deserted from Trebonius. No pardon was
extended to them, and they were slaughtered by our troops. At the
same time, some couriers, sent from Corduba to Pompey, entering our
camp by mistake, were seized, had their hands cut off, and then were
dismissed. About nine at night, the besieged, according to custom,
spent a considerable time in casting fire and darts upon our soldiers,
and wounded a great number of men. At day-break they sallied upon
the sixth legion, while we were busy at the works, and began a sharp
contest, in which, however, our men got the better, though the besieged
had the advantage of the higher ground. Those who had begun the attack,
being vigorously opposed on our side, notwithstanding all the inconveniences
we fought under, were at length obliged to retire into the town, with
many wounds. 

Chapter 13 

On the next day Pompey began a line from the camp to the river Rio
Salado; and a small party of our horse, being attacked by a much larger
body of the enemy, were driven from their post, and three of their
number slain. On the same day, A. Valgius, the son of a senator, whose
brother was in Pompey's camp, mounted his horse and went over to the
enemy, leaving all his baggage behind him. A spy, belonging to Pompey's
second legion, was taken and slain. At the same time, a bullet was
shot into the town, with this inscription: "That he should set up
a shield on whatever day they advanced to storm the town." This encouraging
some to hope that they might scale the walls, and possess themselves
of the town without danger, they fell the next day to sapping them,
and threw down a considerable part of the outward wall.  * In this
action, being captured and protected by the townsmen, as if they had
been of their own party, they requested Caesar to dismiss in armor
even those who were appointed over the city by Pompey to guard it.
To this Caesar answered, "That it was his custom to give, not accept
of conditions:" which being reported to the garrison, they set up
a shout, and began to pour their darts upon our men from the whole
circuit of the wall; which gave reason to believe that the garrison
intended that day to make a vigorous sally. Wherefore, surrounding
the town with our troops, the conflict was for some time maintained
with great violence, and one of our engines threw down a tower belonging
to the enemy, in which were five of their men, and a boy, whose office
it was to observe the engine. 

Chapter 14 

After this Pompey erected a fort on the other side of the Rio Salado,
in which he met with no interruption from our men, and exulted not
a little in the idea of having possessed himself of a post so near
us. Also the following day, extending himself in like manner still
further, he came up with our out-post of cavalry; and charging them
briskly, obliged several squadrons and the light-armed foot to give
ground: many of whom, owing to the smallness of their numbers and
their light armor, were trodden down by the enemy's horse. This passed
within view of both camps, and not a little animated the Pompeians,
to see our men pushed so far: but the latter, being afterward reinforced
by a party from our camp, faced about with the intention of renewing
the fight. 

Chapter 15 

It invariably happens in encounters of cavalry that when the troopers
dismount to charge the infantry, the match proves unequal, as happened
on the present occasion. For a select body of the enemy's light-armed
foot, coming unexpectedly upon our horse, they alighted to sustain
the charge. Thus in a very little time, from a cavalry it became an
infantry engagement, and again from an infantry changed to a cavalry
engagement, in which our men were driven back to their very lines;
but being there reinforced, about a hundred and twenty-three of the
enemy were slain, several forced to throw down their arms, many wounded,
and the rest pursued quite to their camp. On our side, three were
slain, besides twelve foot-soldiers and five troopers wounded. Toward
the evening of the same day, the fight, as usual, was renewed before
the walls: and the enemy having thrown many darts, and a great quantity
of fire from the battlements, proceeded afterward to an action of
unexampled cruelty and barbarity: for in the very sight of our troops
they fell to murdering the citizens, and tumbling them headlong from
the walls, as is usual among barbarians: no parallel to this is to
be found in the memory of man. 

Chapter 16 

When night came on, Pompey sent a messenger unknown to us, to exhort
the garrison to set fire to our towers and mound, and make a sally
at midnight. Accordingly, having poured upon us a great quantity of
darts and fire, and destroyed a considerable part of the rampart,
they opened the gate which lay over against and within view of Pompey's
camp, and sallied out with all their forces, carrying with them fascines
to fill up the ditch; hooks and fire to destroy and reduce to ashes
the barracks, which the soldiers had built mostly of reeds to defend
them from the winter; and some silver and rich apparel to scatter
among the tents, that while our men should be employed in securing
the plunder, they might fight their way through and escape to Pompey;
who, in expectation that they would be able to effect their design,
had crossed the Rio Salado with his army, where he continued all night
in order of battle, to favor their retreat. But though our men had
no apprehension of this design, their valor enabled them to frustrate
the attempt, and repulse the enemy with many wounds. They even made
themselves masters of the spoil, their arms, and some prisoners, who
were put to death next day. At the same time, a deserter from the
town informed us that Junius, who was employed in the mine when the
citizens were massacred, exclaimed that it was a cruel and barbarous
action - "that they had never deserved such treatment at their hands
- for that they had received them in their temples and their homes
- that it was in violation of all hospitality." He added many things
besides, which made such an impression upon the garrison that they
desisted from the massacre. 

Chapter 17 

The next day, Tullius, a lieutenant-general, accompanied by C. Antonius
of Lusitania, came to Caesar, and addressed him to this effect: "Would
to Heaven I had been one of your soldiers rather than a follower of
C. Pompey, and given those proofs of valor and constancy in obtaining
victories for you, rather than in suffering for him. The only advantage
we reap from following his banners are wretched applauses; being reduced
to the condition of indigent citizens, and by the melancholy fate
of our country ranked among its enemies; we, who having never shared
with Pompey his good fortune, yet find ourselves involved in his disgrace;
and after sustaining the attack of so many armed legions, employing
ourselves day and night in the works of defense, exposed to the darts
and swords of our fellow-citizens; vanquished, deserted by Pompey,
and compelled to give way to the superior valor of your troops, find
ourselves at last obliged to have recourse to your clemency, and implore
that you will not show yourselves less placable to fellow-citizens,
than you have so often been to foreign nations." "I shall," said Caesar,
"prove myself the same to fellow-citizens, as I have been to conquered
nations." 

Chapter 18 

The embassadors being dismissed, when Tiberius Tullius arrived at
the gate of the town, and C. Antony did not follow him, he returned
to the gate and laid hold of him, upon which drawing a poniard from
his breast, he wounded him in the hand, and in this condition they
both fled to Caesar. At the same time the standard-bearer of the first
legion came over to our camp, and reported that the day when the skirmish
happened between the horse, no less than thirty-five of his company
fell; but it was not allowed to mention it in Pompey's camp, or so
much as own the loss of one man. A slave, whose master was in Caesar's
camp, and who had left his wife and son in the city, cut his master's
throat, and deceiving the guards, escaped privately to Pompey's camp;
whence by means of a bullet, on which he inscribed his intelligence,
Caesar was informed of the preparations made for the defense of the
place. When we had read the inscription, those who were employed to
throw the bullet returning to the city, two Lusitanian brothers deserted,
and informed us that Pompey in a speech made to his soldiers, had
said: "That as he found it impossible to relieve the town, he was
resolved to withdraw in the night from the sight of the enemy, and
retire toward the sea;" to which one answered "that it was better
to hazard a battle than take refuge in flight," but he who said so
was instantly put to death. At the same time some of his couriers
were intercepted, who were endeavoring to get into the town. Caesar
sent the letters to the inhabitants, and ordered one of the messengers
begging his life, to set fire to the townsmen's wooden turret, promising
that if he did this he would grant him all. The enterprise was not
without difficulty: he undertook it, however, but was slain in the
attempt. The same night a deserter informed us that Pompey and Labienus
were greatly offended at the massacre of the citizens. 

Chapter 19 

About nine at night, one of our wooden towers, which had been severely
battered by the enemy's engines, gave way as far as the third story.
A sharp encounter ensued under the walls, and the besieged, assisted
by a favorable wind, burned the remaining part of that tower and another.
Next morning a matron threw herself from the wall, and came over to
the camp, reporting, "that the rest of her family had intended the
same, but were apprehended and put to death;" likewise, a letter was
thrown over, in which was written" L. Minatius to Caesar; Pompey has
abandoned me; if you will grant me my life, I promise to serve you
with the same fidelity and attachment I have hitherto manifested toward
him." At the same time deputies who had been sent before to Caesar
by the garrison, now waited on him a second time, offering to deliver
up the town next day, upon a bare grant of their lives: to which he
replied, "That he was Caesar, and would perform his word." Thus, having
made himself master of the place, on the nineteenth of February he
was saluted imperator. 

Chapter 20 

Pompey, being informed by some deserters that the town had surrendered,
removed his camp toward Ucubis, where he began to build redoubts,
and secure himself with lines. Caesar also decamped and drew near
him. At the same time a Spanish legionary soldier deserting to our
camp, informed us that Pompey had assembled the people of Ucubis,
and given them instructions to inquire diligently who favored his
party, who that of the enemy. Some time after in the town which was
taken, the slave, who, as we have related above, had murdered his
master, was apprehended in a mine and burned alive. About the same
time eight Spanish centurions came over to Caesar, and in a skirmish
between our cavalry and that of the enemy, we were repulsed, and some
of our light-armed foot wounded. The same night we took of the enemy's
spies, three slaves and one Spanish soldier. The slaves were crucified,
and the soldier was beheaded. 

Chapter 21 

The day following, some of the enemy's cavalry and light-armed infantry
deserted to us; and about eleven of their horse falling upon a party
of our men that were sent to fetch water, killed some and took others
prisoners; among which last were eight troopers. On the next day Pompey
beheaded seventy-four persons supposed to be favorers of Caesar's
cause, ordering the rest who lay under the same suspicion to be carried
back to the town, of whom a hundred and twenty escaped to Caesar.

Chapter 22 

Some time after, the deputies from Bursavola (whom Caesar had taken
prisoners at Ategua, and sent along with his own embassadors to their
city, to inform them of the massacre of the Ateguans, and what they
had to apprehend from Pompey, who suffered his soldiers to murder
their hosts, and commit all manner of crimes with impunity), arriving
in the town, none of our deputies, except such as were natives of
the place, durst enter the city, though they were all Roman knights
and senators. But after many messages backward and forward, when the
deputies were upon their return, the garrison pursued and put them
all to the sword, except two who escaped to Caesar, and informed him
of what had happened. Some time after, the inhabitants of Bursavola,
sending spies to Ategua to know the truth of what had happened, and
finding the report of our deputies confirmed, were for stoning to
death him who had been the cause of the murder of the deputies, and
were with difficulty restrained from laying violent hands upon him,
which in the end proved the occasion of their own destruction. For
having obtained leave of the inhabitants to go in person to Caesar
and justify himself, he privately drew together some troops, and when
he thought himself strong enough, returned in the night, and was treacherously
admitted into the town, where he made a dreadful massacre of the inhabitants,
slew all the leaders of the opposite party, and reduced the place
to subjection. Soon after, some slaves who had deserted informed us
that he had sold all the goods of the citizens, and that Pompey suffered
none of his soldiers to quit the camp but unarmed, because, since
the taking of Ategua, many despairing of success fled into Baeturia,
having given over all expectation of victory; and that if any deserted
from our camp, they were put among the light-armed infantry, whose
pay was only sixteen asses a day. 

Chapter 23 

The day following Caesar removed his camp nearer to Pompey's, and
began to draw a line to the river Salado. While our men were employed
in the work, some of the enemy fell upon us from the higher ground,
and as we were in no condition to make resistance, wounded great numbers.
Here, as Ennius says, "our men retreated a little." This occurrence,
so contrary to our usual custom, being perceived, two centurions of
the fifth legion passed the river, and restored the battle; when,
pressing upon the enemy with astonishing bravery, one of them fell
overwhelmed by the multitude of darts discharged from above. The other
continued the combat for some time, but seeing himself in danger of
being surrounded, endeavored to make good his retreat, but stumbled
and fell. His death being known, the enemy crowded together in still
greater numbers, upon which our cavalry passed the river, and drove
them back to their intrenchments; so that, while they too eagerly
desired to slay them within their lines, they were surrounded by the
cavalry and light-armed troops. Many of these would have been captured
alive, had not their valor been pre-eminent, for they were so confined
by the space included in the fortress, that the cavalry could not
well defend itself. Many of our men were wounded in these two encounters,
and among the rest Clodius Aquitius, but as the fight was carried
on mostly from a distance, none of our men fell, except the two centurions
who sacrificed themselves in the cause of glory. 

Chapter 24 

Next day both parties withdrawing from Soricaria, we continued our
works. But Pompey, observing that our fort had cut off his communication
with Aspavia, which is about five miles distant from Ucubis, judged
it necessary to come to a battle. Yet he did not offer it upon equal
terms, but chose to draw up his men upon a hill, that he might have
the advantage of the higher ground. In this respect, when both parties
were seeking the superior position, our men anticipating them, drove
them into the plain, which gave us the advantage. The enemy yielded
on all hands, and we made immense havoc among them. The mountain and
not their valor protected them; of which advantage, and of all relief,
our men, though few in number, would have deprived them had not night
intervened. Three hundred and twenty-four light-armed foot, and about
a hundred and thirty-eight legionary soldiers of their number fell,
besides those whose armor and spoils we carried off. Thus the death
of the two centurions, which happened the day before, was fully revenged.

Chapter 25 

The day after, Pompey's cavalry advanced, according to their usual
custom, to our lines; for they only dared venture to draw up on equal
ground. They therefore began to skirmish with our men who were at
work, the legionaries calling out to us at the same time to choose
our field of battle, with a view to make us believe that they desired
nothing so much as to come to blows; upon this our men quitted the
eminence where they were encamped, and advanced a great way into the
plain. But none of the enemy had the boldness to present themselves,
excepting Antistius Turpio; who, presuming on his strength, and fancying
no one on our side a match for him, offered us defiance. Upon this,
as is recorded of Memnon and Achilles, Q. Pompeius Niger, a Roman
knight, born in Italy, advanced from our ranks to the encounter. The
fierce air of Antistius having engaged the attention of all, the two
armies drew up to be spectators of the issue of this challenge, and
expressed as much impatience as if the whole fortune of the war had
depended upon it. The wishes on both sides for success were equal
to the anxiety and concern each felt for his own combatant. They advanced
into the plain with great courage, having each a resplendent buckler
of curious workmanship. And doubtless the combat would have been soon
decided, had not some light-armed foot drawn up near the lines, to
serve as a guard to the camp because of the approach of the enemy's
horse, which we have before alluded to. * * * Our horse, in retreating
to their camp, being warmly pursued by the enemy, suddenly faced about
with great cries; which so terrified the Pompeians, that they immediately
betook themselves to flight, and retreated to their camp with the
loss of many of their men. 

Chapter 26 

Caesar, to reward the valor of the Cassian troop, presented them with
thirteen thousand sesterces, distributed ten thousand more among the
light-armed foot, and gave to the commander of the cavalry five golden
collars. The same day, A. Bebius, C. Flavius, and A. Trebellius, Roman
knights of Asta, with their horses richly caparisoned and adorned
with silver, came over to Caesar, and informed him, that all the rest
of the Roman knights in Pompey's camp, had like them conspired to
come and join him, that, on the information of a slave they had all
been seized and cast into custody; that out of this number they only
had escaped. The same day letters were intercepted, sent by Pompey
to Ursao, with the usual greeting, and stating, "That hitherto he
had all the success against the enemy he could desire, and would have
ended the war much sooner than was expected, could he have brought
them to engage him upon equal terms; that he did not think it advisable
to venture new-levied troops on a plain; that the enemy, depending
on our supplies, as yet protract the war for they storm city after
city, thence supplying themselves with provisions: that he would therefore
endeavor to protect the towns of his party, and bring the war to as
speedy an issue as possible: that he would send them a reinforcement
of some cohorts, and that having deprived them of provisions he would
necessitate the enemy to come to an engagement. 

Chapter 27 

Some time after, as our men were carelessly dispersed about the works,
a few horse were killed, who had gone to a grove of olives to fetch
wood. Several slave deserted at this time, and informed us that ever
since the action at Soritia on the 7th of March, the enemy had been
under continual alarms, and appointed Attius Varus to guard the lines.
The same day Pompey decamped, and posted himself in an olive-wood
over against Hispalis. Caesar, before he removed, waited till midnight,
when the moon began to appear. At his departure he ordered them to
set fire to the fort of Ucubis, which Pompey had abandoned, and to
assemble in the greater camp. He afterward laid siege to Ventisponte,
which surrendered; and marching thence to Carruca, encamped over against
Pompey, who had burned the city, because the garrison refused to open
the gates to him. A soldier who had murdered his brother in the camp,
being intercepted by our men, was scourged to death. Caesar, still
pursuing his march, arrived in the plains of Munda, and pitched his
camp opposite to that of Pompey. 

Chapter 28 

Next day as Caesar was preparing to set out with the army, notice
was sent him by his spies, that Pompey had been in order of battle
ever since midnight. Upon this intelligence he ordered the standard
to be raised. Pompey had taken this resolution in consequence of his
letter to the inhabitants of Ursao, who were his firm adherents, in
which he told them that Caesar refused to come down into the plain,
because his army consisted mostly of new-levied troops. This had greatly
confirmed the city in its allegiance. Thus relying on this opinion,
he thought that he could effect the whole, for he was defended by
the nature of his situation, and by the position for defense of the
town, where he had his camp: for, as we observed before, this country
is full of hills which run in a continued chain, without any plains
intervening. 

Chapter 29 

But we must by no means omit to mention an accident which happened
about this time. The two camps were divided from one another by a
plain about five miles in extent, so that Pompey, in consequence of
the town's elevated position, and the nature of the country, enjoyed
a double defense. Across this valley ran a rivulet, which rendered
the approach to the mountain extremely difficult, because it formed
a deep morass on the right. Caesar had no doubt that the enemy would
descend into the plain and come to a battle, when he saw them in array.
This appeared evident to all; the rather because the plain would give
their cavalry full room to act, and the day was so serene and clear
that the gods seemed to have sent it on purpose to favor the engagement.
Our men rejoiced at the favorable opportunity: some however were not
altogether exempt from fear when they considered that their all was
at stake, with the uncertainty of what might be their fate an hour
after. He advanced however to the field of battle, fully persuaded
that the enemy would do the same; but they durst not venture above
a mile from the town, being determined to shelter themselves under
its walls. Our men still continued before them in order of battle;
but although the equality of the ground sometimes tempted them to
come and dispute the victory, they nevertheless still kept their post
on the mountain, in the neighborhood of the town. We doubled our speed
to reach the rivulet, without their stirring from the place where
they stood. 

Chapter 30 

Their army consisted of thirteen legions; the cavalry was drawn up
upon the wings, with six thousand light-armed infantry and about the
same number of auxiliaries. We had only eighty heavy-armed cohorts,
and eight thousand horse. When we reached the extremity of the plain,
the real seat of disadvantage, the enemy were awaiting us above, so
that it would have been exceedingly dangerous to proceed. When Caesar
perceived this, he pointed out the locality, lest any disagreeable
occurrence should result from the temerity of his troops. The army
murmured greatly, as if they had been kept back from a certain victory,
when this was told them. The delay, however, served to enliven the
enemy, thinking that Caesar's troops shrank from an encounter through
fear: they therefore had the boldness to advance a little way, yet
without quitting the advantage of their post, the approach to which
was extremely dangerous. The tenth legion, as usual, was on the right,
the third and fifth on the left, with the auxiliary troops and cavalry.
The battle began with a shout. 

Chapter 31 

But though our men were superior to the enemy in courage, the latter
nevertheless defended themselves so well by the advantage of the higher
ground, and the shouts were so loud, and the discharge of darts on
both sides so great, that we almost began to despair of victory. For
the first onset and shout, by which an enemy is most apt to be dismayed,
were pretty equal in the present encounter. All fought with equal
valor; the place was covered with arrows and darts, and great numbers
of the enemy fell. We have already observed that the tenth legion
was on the right, which, though not considerable for the number of
men, was nevertheless formidable for its courage; and so pressed the
enemy on that side that they were obliged to draw a legion from the
right wing to reinforce the left, lest we should come upon their flank;
but they fought so bravely that the reinforcement could not find an
opportunity of entering the ranks. Upon this motion, our cavalry on
the left fell upon Pompey's right wing. Meanwhile the clashing of
armor mingled with the shouts of combatants, and the groans of the
dying and the wounded, terrified the new-raised soldiers. On this
occasion, as Ennius says, "they fought hand to hand, foot to foot,
and shield to shield;" but though the enemy fought with the utmost
vigor, they were obliged to give ground, and retire toward the town.
The battle was fought on the feast of Bacchus, and the Pompeians were
entirely routed and put to flight; insomuch that not a man could have
escaped, had they not sheltered themselves in the place whence they
advanced to the charge. The enemy lost on this occasion upward of
thirty thousand men, and among the rest Labienus and Attius Varus,
whose funeral obsequies were performed upon the field of battle. They
had likewise three thousand Roman knights killed, partly Italian,
partly provincial. About a thousand were slain on our side, partly
foot, partly horse; and five hundred wounded. We gained thirteen eagles,
and several standards, and emblems of authority, and made seventeen
officers prisoners. Such was the issue of this action. 

Chapter 32 

The remains of Pompey's army retreating to Munda, with the intention
of defending themselves in that town, it became necessary to invest
it. The dead bodies of the enemy, heaped together, served as a rampart,
and their javelins and darts were fixed up by way of palisades. Upon
these we hung their bucklers to supply the place of a breastwork,
and fixing the heads of the deceased upon swords and lances, planted
them all around the works, to strike the greater terror into the besieged,
and keep awake in them a sense of our prowess. Amid these mournful
objects did they find themselves shut in, when our men began the attack,
which was conducted chiefly by the Gauls. Young Valerius, who had
escaped to Corduba with some horse, informed Sextus Pompey of what
had happened; who, upon receipt of the mournful news, distributing
what money he had about him to the troopers, left the town about nine
at night, under pretense of going to find out Caesar, to treat of
an accommodation. On the other side, Cn. Pompey, attended by a few
horse and foot, took the road to Carteia, where his fleet lay, and
which was about a hundred and seventy miles distant from Corduba.
When he was arrived within eight miles of the place, he sent P. Calvitius
his camp-marshal before, to procure a litter to carry him to the town,
as he found himself unwell. The litter came, and when he entered the
town, those of his party waited on him privately, to receive his orders
about the management of the war. As they assembled round the place
in great crowds, Pompey quitting his litter put himself under their
protection. 

Chapter 33 

After the encounter, Caesar seeing the circumvallation of Munda completed,
marched to Corduba. Those of the enemy who had escaped the slaughter,
possessing themselves of a bridge, upon the approach of our men, called
out to them with an air of derision - "What! we who are no more than
a handful of men escaped from the battle, shall we be allowed no place
of retreat?" They immediately prepared to defend the bridge. Caesar
passed the river and encamped. Scapula, who had stirred up the freedmen
to a revolt, escaping after the battle to Corduba, when he found himself
besieged, assembled all his followers, ordered a funeral pile to be
erected and a magnificent supper served up; when, putting on his richest
dress, he distributed his plate and money among his domestics, supped
cheerfully, anointed himself several times, and, last of all, ordered
one of his freedmen to dispatch him, and another to set fire to the
pile. 

Chapter 34 

Caesar had no sooner encamped before the place than a division arose
among the inhabitants, between the parties of Caesar and Pompey, till
the dispute almost reached to our camps. During the contest, some
legions, composed partly of deserters, partly of slaves made free
by Pompey, came and surrendered themselves to Caesar. But the thirteenth
legion prepared to defend the town, and with that view possessed themselves
of the walls and some towers, in spite of all opposition, which obliged
the other party to send deputies to Caesar for aid. Upon this those
who had escaped out of the battle set fire to the place, and our men
entering at the same time, slew about twenty-two thousand of them,
besides those who were slain without the walls; thus Caesar obtained
the town. While he was employed in this siege, those who, as we have
said, were blockaded at Munda made a sally, but were driven back into
the town with considerable loss. 

Chapter 35 

Thence Caesar marched to Hispalis, which sent deputies to sue for
pardon. Though the citizens assured him that they were able to defend
the town, he sent Caninius his lieutenant thither with some troops,
and encamped before the place. There was in the town a strong party
of Pompeians, who, displeased to see Caesar's troops received within
the walls, secretly deputed one Philo, a zealous partisan of Pompey,
and well known in Lusitania, to beg assistance of Cecilius Niger,
one of the barbarians, who lay encamped near Lenius, with a strong
army of Lusitanians. He is received into the town of Hispalis by night,
surprises the sentinels and garrison, shuts the gates, and begins
to defend the place. 

Chapter 36 

During these transactions deputies arrived from Carteia, with accounts
of their having secured Pompey; hoping by this service to atone for
their former fault of shutting their gates against Caesar. Meantime,
the Lusitanians in Hispalis plundered the town, which, though known
to Caesar, did not yet determine him to press it too hard, lest they
should in despair set fire to it, and destroy the walls. It was resolved
in council to suffer the Lusitanians to escape in the night by a sally,
yet so that the thing might not appear designed. In this sally, they
set fire to the ships that were in the river Guadalquivir, and while
our men were employed in extinguishing the flames, endeavored to get
off; but being overtaken by the cavalry, were mostly cut to pieces.
Thence Caesar marched to Asta, which submitted. Munda having been
now a long while besieged, many of those who had escaped out of the
battle, despairing of safety, surrendered to us; and being formed
into a legion, conspired among themselves, that upon a signal being
given, the garrison should sally out in the night, while they at the
same time should begin a massacre in the camp. But the plot being
discovered, they were next night, at the changing of the third watch,
all put to death outside the rampart. 

Chapter 37 

The Carteians, while Caesar was employed in reducing the other towns
upon his route, began to disagree about young Pompey. One party had
sent the deputies to Caesar, and another was in the Pompeian interest.
These last prevailing, seized the gates, and made a dreadful slaughter
of their adversaries. Pompey himself was wounded in the fray, but
escaping to his ships, fled with about twenty galleys. Didius, who
was at Gades with Caesar's fleet, hearing of what had happened, immediately
sailed in pursuit of them; stationing at the same time some cavalry
and infantry along the coast, to prevent his escaping by land. Pompey
had left Carteia with so much precipitation, that he took no time
to furnish himself with water, and this circumstance obliging him
to stop by the way, Didius came up with him after four days' sailing,
took some of his ships, and burned the rest. 

Chapter 38 

With a few friends, Pompey escaped to a place strongly fortified by
nature; of which the troops sent in pursuit of him having certain
intelligence by their scouts, followed day and night. He was wounded
in the shoulder and left leg, and had besides sprained his ankle,
all which greatly retarded his flight, and obliged him to make use
of a litter. A Lusitanian having discovered the place of his retreat,
he was quickly surrounded by our cavalry and cohorts. Seeing himself
betrayed, he took refuge in a post fortified by nature, and which
could easily be defended by a few men, the approach to it being extremely
difficult. We attempted to storm it, but were repulsed, and pursued
by the enemy; and meeting with no better success after several trials,
we at length resolved to lay siege to the place, it seeming too hazardous
to force it. Accordingly, a terrace was raised, and lines drawn round
the place; which the enemy perceiving, thought it best to betake themselves
to flight. 

Chapter 39 

Pompey as we have observed above being lame and wounded, was in no
condition to make a speedy retreat; and the rather, because the place
was such that he could use neither horse nor litter. Slaughter was
dealt on all hands by our troops, his fortress having been stormed,
and his resources cut off. In this extremity he fled to a cave, where
he could not easily be discovered, unless by the information of the
captives. Here he was slain, his head was brought to Hispalis on the
day before the ides of April, and exhibited before the people when
Caesar was at Gades. 

Chapter 40 

After the death of young Pompey, Didius, proud of his success, retired
to the nearest fortress and hauled some of his vessels on shore to
be refitted. The Lusitanians, who had escaped from the battle, rallying
in great bodies, advanced to Didius. Though the preservation of the
fleet principally engaged his attention, he was obliged to leave his
fort in order to restrain the frequent sallies of the enemy. These
daily skirmishes gave them an opportunity of projecting an ambuscade;
for which purpose they divided their troops into three bodies. Some
were prepared to set fire to the fleet, and in the mean time others
were to come to their relief. These were so arranged that they could
advance to the battle without any one seeing them. Didius sallied
out according to custom; when upon a signal being given, one of the
parties advanced to set fire to the fleet; and another, counterfeiting
a retreat, drew him insensibly into the ambuscade, where he was surrounded
and slain with most of his followers, fighting valiantly. Some escaped
in boats which they found upon the coast; others endeavored to reach
the galleys by swimming; and, weighing anchor, stood out to sea. A
great many saved themselves in this manner, but the Lusitanians got
all the baggage. Caesar meanwhile returned from Gades to Hispalis.

Chapter 41 

Fabius Maximus, whom he had left to continue the siege of Munda, conducted
it with great zeal; so that the enemy, seeing themselves shut up on
all sides, sallied out, but were repulsed with great loss. Our men
seized this opportunity to get possession of the town, and took the
rest prisoners, in number about fourteen thousand. Thence they retreated
toward Ursao, a town exceedingly strong both by nature and art, and
capable of resisting an enemy. Besides, there is not, within eight
miles of the place any spring but that which supplies the town, which
was a decided advantage to the besieged. In addition to all this,
the wood necessary for building towers and other machines had to be
fetched from a distance of six miles. And Pompey, to render the siege
more difficult, had cut down all the timber round the place, and collected
it within the walls, which obliged our men to bring all the materials
for carrying on the siege from Munda, the nearest town which they
had subdued. 

Chapter 42 

During these transactions at Munda and Ursao, Caesar, who had returned
from Gades to Hispalis, assembled the citizens, and made the following
speech: "That when he was advanced to the quaestorship, he had chosen
their province in preference to all others, and during his continuance
in that office, had done them every service in his power; that during
his praetorship he had obtained for them from the senate the abolition
of the taxes imposed by Metellus, declared himself their patron, procured
their deputies a hearing at Rome, and made himself many enemies by
undertaking the defense both of their private and public rights. In
fine, that when he was consul, he had, though absent, rendered the
province all the services in his power; that instead of making a suitable
return for so many favors, they had always discovered the utmost ingratitude
both toward him and the people of Rome; as well in this last war as
the preceding. "You," says he, "though no strangers to the law of
nations and the rights of Roman citizens, have yet like barbarians
often violated the sacred persons of Roman magistrates. You attempted
in open day, in the public square, to assassinate Cassius. You have
been always such enemies to peace that the senate could never suffer
the province to be without legions. You take favors for offenses,
and insults for benefits, are insolent and restless in peace, and
cowardly and effeminate in war. Young Pompey, though only a private
citizen, nay a fugitive, was yet received among you, and suffered
to assume the ensigns of magistracy. After putting many citizens to
death, you still furnished him with forces, and even urged him to
lay waste the country and province. Against whom do you hope to be
victorious? Can you be ignorant that even if I should be destroyed,
the people of Rome have still ten legions, capable not only of opposing
you, but even of pulling down heaven? With whose praises and virtues

THE END

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