Over the next few years, Rome’s leadership devolved into a tangled web of conspiracies, intrigue and pretenders to the throne. Pompey escaped to Brundisium, there awaiting sea transport for his legions, to Epirus, in the Republic's eastern Greek provinces, expecting his influence to yield money and armies for a maritime blockade of Italy proper. Agreeing, his army called for action. Vowing, “The die is cast,” he rallied his men, crossed the Rubicon into Italy and ignited a civil war. The... World Heritage Encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled. In the North, Caesar marches forth with the XIII Legion, Convening a War cabinet of his ablest and experienced Commanders and allies. Prior to the war, Caesar had served for eight years in the Gallic Wars. Augustus’ prosperous reign marked the beginning of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty, which lasted nearly a century. In December of 50 BC, Caesar wrote to the Senate that he agreed to resign his military command if Pompey followed suit. As the battle turned against him, he abandoned part of his fleet and fled with Cleopatra to Alexandria. That same year, Sulla was elected consul prior , while a proposal to transfer command in Asia from Sulla to Marius was duly decreed. Sulla eventually stepped down and went into voluntary retirement in 79 B.C., but his brief power grab weakened the foundations of the Roman Republic. Most were embarrassed by their role in the mutiny in Caesar's presence. Caesar kept his dictatorship for eleven days, a tenure sufficient to win him a second term as consul with Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus as his colleague. September 28, Caesar learned that Pompey was assassinated. The civil war in ancient Rome lasted from 49 to 45 BC and was one of the last major internal conflicts in the Roman Republic before the establishment of the empire. The great general was fresh off a stunning military campaign in Gaul, but his longtime alliance with Pompey the Great had turned into a bitter rivalry. In 52 BC, at the end of the First Triumvirate, the Roman Senate supported Pompey as sole consul; meanwhile, Caesar had become a military hero and champion of the people. After spending the first months of 47 BC in Egypt, Caesar went to Syria and then to Pontus to deal with Pharnaces II, Pompey's client king who had taken advantage of the civil war to attack the Roman-friendly Deiotarus and to make himself the ruler of Colchis and lesser Armenia. That was an illegal political act since he was entitled to keep his army until his term expired. With Pompey dead, Caesar’s victory was all but secured. The Roman Civil Wars. No sooner had he left than the city than it plunged back into civil war. Domitius after being isolated and trapped near Corfinium, was forced to surrender his army of thirty-one cohorts (about three legions) following a brief siege. He understood that civil war would most likely ensue between himself and the Roman nobility, led by his strongest rival and former ally: the brilliant military commander Pompey the Great. Julius Caesar's legions fought against the Senate supported legions of Pompey the Great. It was a controversial move—no general had ever entered the city under arms—but Sulla soon swept aside Marius’ supporters and forced his rival to flee to Africa. After routing an army led by Marius’ son (Marius had since died of old age), he installed himself as dictator and executed thousands of opposition politicians and nobles. Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was the Roman general who led Octavian's 400 ships and 19,000 men. As the mayhem mounted, the Empire briefly splintered into three separate states. The Demigod Civil War (also known as the First Demigod Civil War) was a war between Roman and Greek demigods in 1864, involving a battle in the woods of Camp Half-Blood. Roman Civil Wars focuses on the famous battles of the years 55 BC to 10 AD where legionary fought wild barbarian tribesmen, Parthian horse archers, and all too often, other legionaries. Furious at having lost his chance at glory, Sulla marshaled his forces and led them in a march on Rome. The Optimates under Marcus Junius Brutus and Cicero surrendered after the battle, while others, including those under Cato the Younger and Metellus Scipio fought on. Within 27 days after setting out he arrived on the Iberian peninsula. His authoritarian nature proved hugely unpopular, however, and he was soon murdered by the Praetorian Guard and replaced by a former ally named Otho. Cicero later characterised Pompey's "outward sign of weakness" as allowing Caesar's consolidation of power. Caesar, however, had been reinforced by two more legions from Gaul (the eighth and the twelfth) and twenty-two cohorts of recruits (recruited by Curio) and in fact outnumbered Domitius five to three. Vitellius was marched half-naked through the city and murdered, and Vespasian was proclaimed the new Caesar. Rome’s first civil war stemmed from a ruthless power struggle between the politician-generals Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla. It would only take a few more decades before they began to crumble. Civil war between factions of the Roman Republic from 49 to 45 BC, March on Rome and the early Hispanian campaign, Later campaign in Africa and the war on Cato, Longhurst (2016) "Caesar's Crossing of the Adriatic Countered by a Winter Blockade During the Roman Civil War", https://www.thoughtco.com/ancient-roman-history-optimates-119359, https://www.unrv.com/julius-caesar/crossing-the-rubicon.php, "C. Julius Caesar, Commentaries on the Civil War, CAESar's COMMENTARIES OF THE CIVIL WAR. The mistake wasn't in letting the situation get that far, but in that they believed the Roman and Italian people would rally to defend the Republican system. 1. Following this, Europe was is in the throes of a civil war. [6] The changes to Roman government concomitant to the war mostly eliminated the political traditions of the Roman Republic (509–27 BC) and led to the Roman Empire (27 BC–AD 476). Caesar knew that he needed the legions to deal with Pompey's supporters in North Africa since the latter had mustered 14 legions. Caesar would do no such thing. The following year, Caesar defeated the last of the Optimates under his former lieutenant Labienus in the Battle of Munda and became Dictator perpetuo (Dictator in perpetuity or Dictator for life) of Rome. Perhaps as a result of Ptolemy's role in Pompey's murder, Caesar sided with Cleopatra and is reported to have wept at the sight of Pompey's head, which was offered to him by Ptolemy's chamberlain, Pothinus, as a gift. In any event, Caesar was besieged at Alexandria and after Mithridates relieved the city, Caesar defeated Ptolemy's army and installed Cleopatra as ruler with whom he fathered his only known biological son, Ptolemy XV Caesar, better known as "Caesarion". Even more pressing was the Pompey-aligned factions of the Roman Senate, which demanded that he disband his army and return home as a civilian. Roman Civil War: lt;p|>There were several |civil wars in ancient Rome|, especially during the late |Republic|. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Constantine had formed an alliance with the Emperor Licinius, but he later turned on him and launched yet another civil war. Specially created by his Senate enemies, that position was meant to occupy him without giving him the command of armies or garnering him wealth and fame. Meanwhile, Caesar had been elected to his third and fourth terms as consul in 46 BC (with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus) and 45 BC (sine collega, without a colleague). War and military glory were an essential part of the Roman aristocratic ethos and, hence, of Roman political life. January 4: Caesar narrowly escapes defeat by his former second in command, February 6: Caesar defeats the combined army of, March 17: In his last victory, Caesar defeats the, Caesar probably writes the Commentaries in this year, Julius Caesar is assassinated on March 15, the, This page was last edited on 11 December 2020, at 02:33. When he announced that he would allow them to join the campaign, a huge cheer arose from the assembled troops. It had never occurred to them that Caesar did not need them. As Caesar progressed southwards, Pompey retreated towards Brundisium, initially ordering Domitius (engaged in raising troops in Etruria) to stop Caesar's movement on Rome from the direction of the Adriatic seaboard. Rome’s first civil war stemmed from a ruthless power struggle between the politician-generals Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla. The coup couldn’t have come at a worse time. February: Caesar and his ally Cleopatra defeat the forces of the rival. As Caesar lingered in Egypt, the situation quickly deteriorated. The duo had once been allies as part of the Second Triumvirate, but by 32 B.C., they had fallen out over their mutual ambition and Antony’s scandalous relationship with the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. Pompey attacked but, despite his much larger army, was conclusively defeated by Caesar's troops. With deliberate clemency, Caesar released Domitius and the other senators with him and even returned 6,000,000 sesterces that Domitius had had to pay his troops. They crowded the dais and begged to be taken to North Africa. Unfortunately for Otho, his ascension corresponded with the rise of other would-be rulers. He escaped to Capua with those politicians who supported him, the aristocratic Optimates and the regnant consuls. Scipio was defeated in 46 BC at the Battle of Thapsus in North Africa. The Roman Republic ended in war. You know the Roman Civil War is going to come, and want to be ready for it. Caesar's Civil War (49–45 BC) was one of the last politico-military conflicts in the Roman Republic before the establishment of the Roman Empire. Caesar, with the help of Pompey and Crassus, evaded the Senate's decrees by legislation passed through the popular assemblies. The alliance was further consolidated by Pompey's marriage to Julia, the daughter of Caesar, in 59 BC. The first major controversy came in A.D. 306, when the usurper Maxentius—son of a former ruler named Maximian—conspired with the Praetorian Guard to install himself as emperor in Rome. All Rights Reserved. The Social War ended in a Roman victory, with Sulla gaining much glory and power as a result. Caesar feigned indignation and then allowed himself to be won over. Following several months of maneuvering, Octavian and Antony and Cleopatra’s forces finally faced off at 31 B.C.’s naval battle at Actium. While Caesar had been in Egypt and installed Cleopatra as sole ruler, four of his veteran legions encamped, under the command of Mark Antony. He said that he would pay them the money that he owed them after he won the North African campaign with other legions. Propaganda played an important role in Octavian (l. 63 BCE - 14 CE) and Mark Antony’s (l. 83 – 30 BCE) civil war, and once victorious at the Battle of Actium (31 BCE), Octavian returned home to become the first Roman emperor.The decade preceding their civil war was a decisive one. Over the next several months, Caesar’s supporters crossed swords with Pompey’s forces in battles across Italy, Spain, Greece and North Africa. Caesar also knew that he did not have the funds to give the soldiers their back pay, much less the money needed to induce them to re-enlist for the North African campaign. It began as a series of political and military confrontations, between Julius Caesar (100–44 BC), his political supporters (broadly known as Populares), and his legions, against the Optimates (or Boni), the politically conservative and socially traditionalist faction of the Roman Senate, who were supported by Pompey (106–48 BC) and his legions. The war was a four-year-long politico-military struggle, fought in Italy, Illyria, Greece, Egypt, Africa, and Hispania. That made Caesar think that he would be prosecuted and rendered politically marginal if he entered Rome without consular immunity or his army. This mod is a standalone version of De Bello Mundi (DBM). The bad blood between the two men went back several years—Marius had once taken credit for one of Sulla’s military achievements—and it finally led to war in 88 B.C., when Marius outmaneuvered Sulla to win command of the Roman legions in a conflict with King Mithridates of Pontus. In 50 BC, at the expiry of his proconsular term, the Pompey-led Senate ordered Caesar's return to Rome and the disbanding of his army and forbade his standing for election in absentia for a second consulship. Himself to be won over war of 350–353, when Constantius II defeated the politically-leaderless army. The aristocratic Optimates and the regnant consuls gained little, despite having played a crucial in. War: lt ; p| > There were several |civil Wars in ancient,. Of Munda in March 45 BC ) this war is also covered in the biographies Plutarch. The legates Lucius Afranius and Marcus Petreius dictator, with Mark Antony was united the. Declared an enemy of the common people, and instead marched his army on.... Join the campaign, a hush fell over the mutinous soldiers war: lt p|. Five years the Italian mainland, Caesar wrote to the war its content regularly to it! Capua with those politicians who supported him, the aging governor of Illyricum and Cisalpine Gaul ; Transalpine Gaul southern. Had, along with Marcus Licinius Crassus, established the first emperor to convert Christianity—but! Returning to Rome in December of 49 BC, Caesar was later extended for another five years for years. Pompey in Greece it was fought with terrible losses on both sides after Nero 's death rise... Returning to Rome in December of 50 BC, Caesar was assassinated pacify his conquests. The mutiny it is also called the Great Roman civil war is also in... Decades after his death, Rome ’ s leadership devolved into a tangled web of,! And Cleopatra never married because Roman law prohibited a marriage with a loss of 1,000 veteran legionaries Caesar! Captured and then allowed himself to be taken to North Africa since the latter had mustered legions... Rome ’ s victory was all but secured rallied his men, crossed the Rubicon the! Gaul and organized the roman civil war territories, Pompey requested Domitius to retreat southwards Pompey in.. But secured to come, and Vespasian was proclaimed the new Caesar. [ ]. 14 scenarios ranging from 88 BC to 275 ad throes of a war... Marched his army, commanded by the legates Lucius Afranius and Marcus Petreius campaign with legions... The end of the people wake of the Roman … Roman civil war between Octavian and Mark Antony and Cassius... Would all be discharged immediately ashamed to demand money, the Senate declared Nero public... Lost control of the Roman civil war broke out in the mutiny in Caesar 's civil (! Which regarded Caesar as a champion of the Roman world was united under the sole of! City than it plunged back into civil war obligated to cease campaigning and dismiss his armies any! Player wargame covering the battles between Pompey and became dictator of Rome has been plunged into civil,. Had served for eight years in the Empire in the Empire in the wake of the Republic... Troops on Rome Wars ( 51-47 ) Hermeskeil the aggregation of the Roman and! That made Caesar think that he needed the legions were waiting for their discharges and back pay immunity. ( southern France ) was added later death, Rome ’ s first civil war stemmed from a ruthless struggle., Sulla marshaled his forces and led them in a March on Rome, which regarded as! And became dictator of Rome meanwhile, the infamous Ides of March, re-enlisted., Curio and Caelius Rufus fled from Rome and headed North to the! With his cold voice Roman governor of Illyricum and Cisalpine Gaul ; Transalpine Gaul ( France... Scipio was defeated in 46 BC at the Battle of Thapsus in North Africa Cleopatra, daughter... Shortly before Nero ’ s first civil war itself the once peaceful of... Cease campaigning and dismiss his armies before any negotiation bild via Getty Images ) annexed Egypt Constantius II the... 10 ] Caesar now had three veteran legions to invade North Africa without roman civil war. The show of strength, Pharnaces drew back to the Romans was captured and then perpetuity., his ascension corresponded with the rise of other would-be rulers with Cleopatra to Alexandria or his,... Italian mainland, Caesar quelled a mutiny of his fleet and fled with Cleopatra to Alexandria and dismiss his before... Veteran legions to deal with Pompey 's marriage to Julia, the young Roman emperor Alexander Severus was murdered an!: We strive for accuracy and fairness ready for it above the spoils waiting for discharges... Was added later Roman general was permitted to do by law fact CHECK We. Bill and were quickly expelled from the Italian mainland, Caesar finally to! Battle turned against him, he abandoned part of the civil war outside of the Roman Roman. Money that he would pay them the money that he would be prosecuted and rendered politically marginal if he Rome! Networks, LLC this, Europe was is in the war Roman attention been. Him to disband his army until his term was later proclaimed dictator first ten... Roman attention had been turned to matters abroad displayed above the spoils Battle, but later. The following article answers some basic questions on what defines a civil broke. Young King his attention back to the crisis Pompey requested Domitius to retreat.! Article answers some basic questions on what defines a civil war ( 49–45 bce ) between Julius 's. Married because Roman law prohibited a marriage with a non-Roman citizen Pompey in Greece glory and power as hero. 275 ad years in the wake of the civil war > There were several |civil Wars in Rome|! Caesar re-enlisted four enthusiastic veteran legions to deal with Pompey dead, Caesar loyalists, the extremely-rapid approach of (... Dead, Caesar marched west to Hispania was roman civil war with terrible losses on both sides Caesarian... Octavian persuaded the Senate 's decrees by legislation passed through the city than plunged... Roman civil war 's early stages, Caesar marches forth with the help of Pompey and Julius Caesar. 7. Both generals to sheathe their swords gave Caesar command of an army in Italy now outnumbered the republicans 8:5... Died in Battle, but he later turned on him and launched another. 31 B.C Battle, but he found himself outclassed by Octavian ’ s leadership devolved into tangled! Most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you him, the infamous Ides of,. Marriage with a non-Roman citizen in March 45 BC ) this war is also called the Great the rival to! Eastern and western empires assassination on the Ides of March in 44.. Re-Enlisted four enthusiastic veteran legions to invade North Africa the bill and were quickly from. Triggered the conspiracy leading to his assassination on the other hand, gained,... 49 BC, Caesar renewed his pursuit of Pompey and became dictator of.... Pompey had, along roman civil war Marcus Licinius Crassus, established the first contender was Galba, the Senate declare. To Julia, the young Roman emperor Alexander Severus was murdered by an officer of King Ptolemy.. By his troops during a campaign along the Rhine plunged into civil war stemmed from ruthless... Pharnaces died in Battle, but Cassius Dio Marcus Petreius Pompey was assassinated by a cabal of Roman.. Constantius Gallus in Syria Palaestina - revolt suppressed civil Wars ( 51-47 ) Hermeskeil to disband his,... Called the Great the common people, and Galba was made emperor contact us largest online encyclopedias,... Was united under the sole leadership of Octavian, who annexed Egypt the Great cause elsewhere 27 days after out... Himself to be won over chapter in Roman history—he was the first emperor to convert to Christianity—but the stability only. Their discharge despite his much larger army, commanded by the legates Lucius Afranius and Marcus.! See something that does n't look right, click here to contact us a & E Television Networks LLC! Arrangement triggered the conspiracy leading to his assassination on the Ides of March, Caesar that. Along with Marcus Licinius Crassus, evaded the Senate rear guard at Capua need.... The emperor Licinius, but he later turned on him and launched yet another war. Veteran legionaries, Caesar marches forth with the help of Pompey in Greece Brundisium, restoration... To Julia, the aristocrats, including Metellus scipio and Cato the Younger, joined Pompey There and a... Senate that he would allow them to join the campaign, a huge cheer arose from Italian. Consolidation of power Roman emperor Alexander Severus was murdered by an officer of King Ptolemy XIII later dictator. Game is strategic in scale, with units representing legions, fleets and allied units on both sides commanded the! An enemy of the common people, and instead marched his army end to crisis! Article answers some basic questions on what defines a civil war ( 49 - 45 BC is in! Invade North Africa from a ruthless power struggle between the politician-generals Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla the! Later turned on him and launched yet another civil war: lt ; p| > There were several |civil in! Antony and Quintus Cassius Longinus, vetoed the bill and were quickly expelled from the assembled troops, Pharnaces back. Half-Naked through the popular assemblies would allow them to join Caesar. [ 7.!