- The Great Roman Civil War (49-45 BCE), also known as Julius Caesar’s Civil War, was one of the last civil wars of the Roman Republic fought between the Optimates and the Populares.
The Reason for the Great Roman Civil War
- In 53 BCE Crassus died and Pompey aligned himself with the Roman Senate against Julius Caesar who was still fighting the War in Gaul.
- In 50 BCE Pompey and the Roman Senate ordered Julius Caesar to disband his army as his term as Proconsul had finished, or be declared an Enemy of the People. Although he had completed the necessary ten years gap for being re-elected as Consul again, he was prohibited from standing for re-election ‘in absentia’.
- Julius Caesar knew that if he entered Rome without an Army or without the legal immunity enjoyed as a Consul, he would be prosecuted and his political career would end.
- Pompey had laid charges against him of Insubordination and Treason, and various other Charges were pending against him.
Crossing the Rubicon (49 BCE)
- On the 10th January 49 BCE Julius Caesar responded by returning from Gaul with a single Legion, the Legio XIII Gemina, and crossing the River Rubicon he headed for Rome.
- He is quoted by Suetonius as saying Alea Jacta Est meaning ‘The die has been cast’.
- The Roman Senate, led by Pompey, and the leading Optimates such as Cato the Younger and Metellus Scipio avoided battle by fleeing via Brindisium (Brindisi) to Greece. When Julius Caesar arrived at the Harbour, the fleet with Pompey and the Optimates had sailed.
The Major Battles
- This act started the Civil Wars, as his enemies, the Optimates fled Rome for the Provinces and set up Armies there. There then followed a series of Battles between the armies of Caesar and the Optimates.
- Battle of Ilerda in Spain (49 BCE)
- Siege of Massilia in Gaul (49 BCE)
- Battle of Dyrrhachium in Albania (48 BCE) where he fought Pompey, but neither side won.
- Battle of Pharsalus in Greece (48 BCE) where he defeated Pompey.
- Battle of Thapsus in Tunisia (46 BCE) where he defeated Metellus Scipio.
- Battle of Munda in Spain (45 BCE) where he defeated Pompey’s son, Gnaeus Pompeius.
Julius Caesar becomes Dictator (47-44 BCE)
- Although he was made Dictator in 47 BCE, he did not take complete control until after the Battle of Munda was won in 45 BCE.
- By 45 BCE Julius Caesar had finally defeated all opposition, and took control of the Roman Republic.
- Unlike Sulla, he did not order a mass Proscription against his enemies.
- This leniency was to lead to the Assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BCE).
- After assuming control of the Roman Republic, Julius Caesar bypassed the Roman Senate, concentrated all power in himself, and declared himself ‘Dictator Perpetuus’ (Dictator in Perpetuity).
The Outcome
- This concentration of all power in one Individual was a preparation for the future Office of The Roman Emperor.