Caesarian Legionary vs Pompeian Legionary: Rome's Civil War 49-45 BC

by William Horsted, Giuseppe Rava (Illustrator)

Overview

A fully illustrated study of the troops fighting for Caesar and Pompey in three major battles of the Roman Civil War.

Triggered by the tensions surrounding Julius Caesar's return to Rome from Gaul, the civil war that broke out in 49 BC convulsed the Roman world. Commanders and troops loyal to Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as Pompey, confronted those following Caesar in a series of brutal battles across the Mediterranean, from Hispania to Greece.

William Horsted assesses the similarities and differences between the evolving Caesarian and Pompeian armies, which included not only Roman legions but also auxiliaries from Gaul, Numidia and elsewhere. Even after Pompey's defeat at Pharsalus (48 BC) and his subsequent death in Egypt, the conflict continued, with Pompey's relatives and followers continuing the fight until 45 BC. The two armies are examined in the context of three major clashes of the conflict: Dyrrachium (48 BC) in present-day Albania; Thapsus (46 BC) in modern Tunisia; and Munda (45 BC) in Spain. The text is complemented by specially commissioned colour artwork and mapping as well as archive photographs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472867049
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Series:	Combat , #82
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

William Horsted studied Ancient History at the University of Bristol. As well as ancient Mediterranean warfare, his research interests include the religion, agriculture and ecology of the same period.

Giuseppe Rava was born in Faenza in 1963, and took an interest in all things military from an early age. Entirely self-taught, Giuseppe has established himself as a leading military history artist, and is inspired by the works of the great military artists, such as Detaille, Meissonier, Röchling, Lady Butler, Ottenfeld and Angus McBride. He lives and works in Italy.

Table of Contents

[subject to confirmation]

Introduction

The Opposing Sides

Dyrrachium, 48 BC

Thapsus, 46 BC

Munda, 45 BC

Analysis

Aftermath

Bibliography

Index