Battle of Munda

The Battle of Munda (45 BCE) was the last battle in the Great Roman Civil War (49-45 BCE) between Julius Caesar and the Optimates.

In 46 BCE during the Spring, Gnaeus Pompey and Sextus Pompey, the sons of Pompey, had raised three new Legions in Hispania Ulterior under General Titus Labienus, giving them control of the Province.
Julius Caesar‘s two Generals in their military camp in Oculbo, near Corduba (Cordoba, Andalusia), avoided Battle and instead sent a message to Caesar requesting help.

In December of 46 BCE, within four weeks of receiving the news, Julius Caesar arrived with several Legions hoping to catch Gnaeus Pompey and Sextus Pompey by surprise. He immediately relieved Ulipia, but was unable to take Corduba (Cordoba) defended by Sextus Pompey.
During the winter of 46-45 BCE, Gnaeus Pompey and Sextus Pompey decided to delay and avoid a set Battle, instead Skirmishes took place throughout the winter.
Caesar took the city of Ategua. Then on the 7th March, Caesar achieved another minor victory, causing mass defections from the Army of Sextus Pompey.
By the 17th March 45 BCE, realising that the longer they delayed, the fewer Forces they would control, the Brothers lined up their Legions for a major Battle with Julius Caesar.

Legions: c.40,000 men. 8 Legions, of which the following were known to be present:

The Army of Gnaeus Pompey and Sextus Pompey was positioned on a hill in front of the city of Munda.
Julius Caesar‘s Army presented itself before it.

Julius Caesar ordered a full frontal attack up the hill, but a stalemate ensued requiring the Generals to join in and fight with their troops.
Julius Caesar joined the Legio X Equestris on his right flank which then started to move forward. He later claimed that at the Battle of Munda, he was forced to fight for his Life.
Gnaeus Pompey immediately switched a Legion from his right flank to his left flank to prevent the Legio X Equestris advancing.
This weakened Gnaeus Pompey’s right flank sufficiently for Caesar to attack it with his Cavalry. King Bogud of Mauretania and his Cavalry then attacked the rear of Gnaeus Pompey and Sextus Pompey‘s Army.
Titus Labienus turned his troops to oppose them, but the rest of the Army thought he was retreating and the soldiers broke their lines and started to flee.
30,000 soldiers were killed in the ensuing pursuit, some escaped into the city of Munda. Titus Labienus was killed, but Gnaeus Pompey and Sextus Pompey escaped.
The city of Munda was then besieged and taken and its soldiers executed. The city of Corduba was also besieged and taken and 14,000 people enslaved. Gnaeus Pompey was found and executed, but his brother Sextus Pompey escaped from Spain

.It was the last Battle of the Great Roman Civil War, where Julius Caesar eliminated the last of the Optimates, before returning to Rome to become Dictator.
This was the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic and paved the way for the Roman Empire under Augustus his adopted Heir.
In 45 BCE Julius Caesar returned to Rome where he held a Roman Triumph and was made Dictator for life.
But in 44 BCE on the 15th March, the Assassination of Julius Caesar ended his hopes of ruling the Roman Empire.

Sextus Pompey fled to Sicily to fight another day.
In 44 BCE The Rebellion of Sextus Pompey took place in Sicily, after the Assassination of Julius Caesar resulted in Sextus’ name being placed on the List of men sentenced to Proscription.
Sextus Pompey conquered Sicily, raised a Fleet and blockaded the Grain supply to Rome, conquering Sardinia and Corsica.
In 36 BCE The Second Triumvirate invaded Sicily with 3 Fleets. Sextus Pompey fled to Miletus where he was captured and executed.

Lantejuela (munda) Spain