This is a short story set during one of Rome's civil wars-—Caesar's Civil War which was fought between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. The story begins after Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon river. Caesar and Pompey are embroiled in a war whose outcome will determine the future of the Roman Republic. During the story, the two generals battle several times as their armies traverse the Roman Republic's territories, ultimately meeting at the battle of Pharsalus in 48 B.C.