110 - Caesar's Civil War II: Bloody Pharsalia

110 - Caesar's Civil War II: Bloody Pharsalia

July 11, 2025 · 1h 32m · Episode 110

About this episode

This episode explores the pivotal events of Caesar's Civil War, focusing on the Battle of Pharsalus and its implications for the Roman Republic.

Part 2 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. After his lightning conquest of Italy, Caesar faces his greatest challenge yet as Pompey masses a vast army in Greece. In this episode: Caesar's second dictatorship and revolutionary reforms in Rome—citizenship grants, debt relief, and restoration of the proscribed The dangerous winter crossing of the Adriatic, splitting his forces against Pompey's naval supremacy The siege of Dyrrhachium and Caesar's ambitious 17-mile circumvallation to trap Pompey The catastrophic defeat that nearly ended Caesar's career—his worst loss yet The brilliant strategic retreat showcasing the iron discipline of Caesar's veterans Young Curio's tragic death in Africa, highlighting Caesar's reliance on inexperienced lieutenants The fateful convergence at Pharsalus as both armies march into Thessaly The decisive moment when Caesar's hidden fourth line shattered Pompey's cavalry charge The fall of the Roman Republic as 15,000 Romans died by Roman swords Caesar's own account reveals a commander pushed to his absolute limits, saved only by the loyalty of soldiers who would "rather eat tree bark than let Pompey slip through our fingers." The battle that destroyed the…

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