- The Siege of Massilia (49 BCE) was a four and a half month siege of Massilia (Marseille) conducted by Julius Caesar. The Siege was accompanied by a Naval Battle.
- It took place during the Great Roman Civil War (49-45 BCE) between Julius Caesar and Pompey.
Date and Location
- 19 April-6 Sept 49 BCE at Massilia, modern Marseille in France.
The Reason for the Siege
- The Optimates elected Lucius Dominius Ahenobarbus as Proconsul of Gaul and sent him to Massilia to take control and oppose Caesar.
- Whilst passing through Gaul to reach Spain and challenge Pompey's armies, Julius Caesar found the gates of Massilia closed to him as the city had allied itself with the Optimates.
The Commanders
- Caesar’s Army
- Legions: Trebonius
- Navy: Brutus
- Pompey’s Army
- Marseille: Lucius Ahenobarbus
- Navy: Lucius Nacidius
Trebonius conducts the Siege of Massilia (49 BCE)
- Caesar left the Legio XVII, Legio XVIII and Legio XIX to conduct the siege under his General, Trebonius, whilst he continued on to Spain, where he defeated Pompey’s Generals at the Battle of Ilerda. Afterwards, he returned in time to accept the surrender of Massilia.
- Trebonius and the Legions built siege towers and a siege ramp.
Brutus’ first Naval Battle against Massilia
- Massilia had a navy consisting of 11 decked warships and 6 undecked warships.
- Caesar built a fleet of 12 warships in Arles and these laid siege to Massilia under Caesar’s Commander, Brutus, who based his fleet on an island opposite Massilia.
- In the first naval battle, the Massiliote fleet emerged and attacked Brutus’ smaller fleet. He used the tactic of boarding enemy ships, two at a time, which caused the Massiliotes to lose 9 ships.
Brutus’ Second Naval Battle
- In the second naval battle, Pompey sent a fleet of 16 ships under Lucius Nasidius. These joined up with the remaining Massiliote fleet to confront Brutus.
- Brutus added 6 of the captured warships to his 12 and sailed towards the combined fleet.
- Eventually, Brutus' smaller fleet prevailed again and the Massiliote fleet was either sunk, captured or fled to Spain. This victory allowed the land siege to succeed.
The Outcome
- Despite attempts to destroy the siege towers, Massilia was obliged to surrender.
- Julius Caesar returned from Spain in time to accept the surrender and allowed Massilia to remain autonomous, but awarded its territories to Arles.
Source
- Julius Caesar
- Commentari de Bello Civili, Book II, 8, 9
Massilia