Battle of Dyrrhachium, 48 BC

An in-depth study of the rivalry between two of Rome’s greatest military commanders—and the battle where they met in combat. In 49 BC the Roman Republic collapsed once more into civil war, with opposing sides led by Pompey the Great and Julius Caesar. These former allies had built their own factions within the Roman oligarchy and now refused to compromise. Yet their violent struggle for control of the Republic lasted eighteen months before these two men met in combat at The Battle of Dyrrhachium. Gareth Sampson outlines the strategic background of the battle, describing the early campaigns of the civil war. The battle itself is analyzed in depth, shedding light on the strengths and weakness of both armies and their commanders. Sampson also looks at the tactics used at various phases of the battle, which culminated in victory for Pompey. He then examines the battle’s aftermath, with Caesar defeated and Pompey in the ascendancy.