The Battle of Munda took place on March 17, 45 BC in the plains of Munda, southern Spain. This was the last battle of Julius Caesar's civil war against the conservative republicans. After this victory, and the death of Titus Labienus and Gnaeus Pompeius (Pompey the Great's oldest son), Caesar was free to return to Rome and govern as dictator. His subsequent assassination began the process that eventually would lead to the end of the Roman Republic with the reign of his great-nephew, Caesar Augustus (Octavius), as the first Roman Emperor. Combatants Julius Caesar and supporters Roman senate, the Optimates faction, Commanders Julius Caesar Pompey, Titus Labienus†, Metellus Scipio†, Cato the younger†, Gnaeus Pompeius See also: Julius Caesar The Roman civil war of 49 BC, sometimes called Caesars Civil War, is viewed by some as the last conflict of the... March 17 is the 76th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (77th in Leap years). ... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC 50s BC - 40s BC - 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC 0s Years: 50 BC 49 BC 48 BC 47 BC 46 BC 45 BC 44 BC 43 BC 42 BC... Populares (Favoring the people, singular popularis) were aristocratic leaders in the late Roman Republic who tended to use the peoples assemblies in an effort to break the stranglehold of the nobiles and optimates on political power. ... Optimates (Good Men) were the aristocratic faction of the later Roman Republic. ... Gaius Julius Caesar (IPA: Classical Latin: IMP•C•IVLIVS•CAESAR•DIVVS1), July 12, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader. ... Titus Labienus (c. ... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ... The Roman legion (from Latin legio, from legere — to collect) was the basic military unit of the ancient Roman army. ... The Roman legion (from Latin legio, from legere — to collect) was the basic military unit of the ancient Roman army. ... Combatants Julius Caesar and supporters Roman senate, the Optimates faction, Commanders Julius Caesar Pompey, Titus Labienus†, Metellus Scipio†, Cato the younger†, Gnaeus Pompeius See also: Julius Caesar The Roman civil war of 49 BC, sometimes called Caesars Civil War, is viewed by some as the last conflict of the... Siege and naval battle at Massilia in Caesars civil war. ... Siege and naval battle at Massilia in Caesars civil war. ... Combatants Populares Optimates Commanders Gaius Curio Attius Varus King Juba of Numidia This article is about the battle which was part of Caesars civil war. ... Combatants Populares Optimates Commanders Gaius Curio† Attius Varus King Juba of Numidia The Battle of the Bagradas River (49 BC) occured on August 24 and was fought between Julius Caesars general Gaius Curio and between the Pompeians under Attius Varus and King Juba of Numidia. ... Battle of Dyrrhachium Conflict Roman Republican civil wars Date July 10, 48 BC Place Dyrrhachium Result Victory of Pompey The Battle of Dyrrachium (or Dyrrhachium) on 10 July 48 BC was one of a series of contests between Julius Caesar and Pompey that ended with Pompeys defeat in the... Combatants Populares Optimates Commanders Julius Caesar Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Strength Approximately 23,000 legionaries, 5,000-10,000 Auxiliaries and Allies, and Allied Cavalry of 1400 Approximately 50,000 legionaries, 4,200 Auxiliaries and Allies, and Allied Cavalry of 4,000-7,000 Casualties 1,200 6,000-10,000... Combatants Populares Optimates Commanders Julius Caesar Titus Labienus Strength Casualties {{{notes}}} The Battle of Ruspina was fought on January 4, 46 BC between the forces of Julius Caesar and the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus. ... Combatants Populares Optimates Commanders Julius Caesar Metellus Scipio †, Cato the younger † Strength Unknown (at least 10 legions) Unknown (at least 10 legions), 2,500 cavalry Jubas allied troops with 60 elephants Casualties 1,000 30,000 {{{notes}}} The Battle of Thapsus took place on February 6, 46 BC near... March 17 is the 76th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (77th in Leap years). ... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC 50s BC - 40s BC - 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC 0s Years: 50 BC 49 BC 48 BC 47 BC 46 BC 45 BC 44 BC 43 BC 42 BC... Gaius Julius Caesar (IPA: Classical Latin: IMP•C•IVLIVS•CAESAR•DIVVS1), July 12, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader. ... Titus Labienus (c. ... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ... Marble bust of Pompey the Great For the ancient Roman city, see Pompeii. ... The Roman Forum was the central area around which ancient Rome developed. ... Dictator was a political office of the Roman Republic. ... See also Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century). ... The famous statue of Octavian at the Prima Porta Caesar Augustus (Latin:IMP·CAESAR·DIVI·F·AVGVSTVS) ¹ (23 September 63 BC–19 August AD 14), known to modern historians as Octavian for the period of his life prior to 27 BC, is considered the first and one of the most... Roman Emperor is the term historians use to refer to rulers of the Roman Empire, after the epoch conventionally named the Roman Republic. ...

Prelude

After the successive defeats of Dyrrhachium, Pharsalus and Thapsus, the conservative republicans, initially led by Pompey, were confined to the Spanish provinces. In fact, during the Spring of 46 BC two legions in Hispania Ulterior, largely formed by former Pompeian veterans enrolled in Caesar’s army, had declared themselves for Gnaeus Pompeius (son of the great Pompey) and driven out Caesar’s proconsul. Soon they were joined by the remains of the Pompeian army, which had been destroyed at the battle of Thapsus in April 46 BC. These forces were commanded by the brothers Gnaeus Pompeius and Sextus (sons of Pompey) and by the talented general Titus Labienus (who had been one of the most trusted of Caesar’s generals during the Gallic wars). Using the resources of the province they were able to raise an army of 13 legions (the two original veteran legions, one additional legion from Roman citizens living in Spain and the remaining enrolled from the local population of non-citizens) and took control of almost all Hispania Ulterior, including the important Roman colonies of Italica and Corduba (the capital of the province). Caesar’s generals Quintus Fabius Maximus and Quintus Pedius did not risk a battle and remained encamped at Oculbo, about 35 miles east of Corduba, requesting help from Caesar. Battle of Dyrrhachium Conflict Roman Republican civil wars Date July 10, 48 BC Place Dyrrhachium Result Victory of Pompey The Battle of Dyrrachium (or Dyrrhachium) on 10 July 48 BC was one of a series of contests between Julius Caesar and Pompey that ended with Pompeys defeat in the... Combatants Populares Optimates Commanders Julius Caesar Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Strength Approximately 23,000 legionaries, 5,000-10,000 Auxiliaries and Allies, and Allied Cavalry of 1400 Approximately 50,000 legionaries, 4,200 Auxiliaries and Allies, and Allied Cavalry of 4,000-7,000 Casualties 1,200 6,000-10,000... Combatants Populares Optimates Commanders Julius Caesar Metellus Scipio †, Cato the younger † Strength Unknown (at least 10 legions) Unknown (at least 10 legions), 2,500 cavalry Jubas allied troops with 60 elephants Casualties 1,000 30,000 {{{notes}}} The Battle of Thapsus took place on February 6, 46 BC near... Marble bust of Pompey the Great For the ancient Roman city, see Pompeii. ... Roman theater at Mérida; the statues are replicas Hispania was the name given by the Romans to the whole of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal, Spain, Andorra and Gibraltar) and to two provinces created there in the period of the Roman Republic: Hispania Citerior and Hispania Ulterior. ... During the Roman Republic, Hispania Ulterior was a region of Hispania roughly located in Baetica and in the Guadalquivir valley of modern Spain. ... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ... Marble bust of Pompey the Great For the ancient Roman city, see Pompeii. ... Combatants Populares Optimates Commanders Julius Caesar Metellus Scipio †, Cato the younger † Strength Unknown (at least 10 legions) Unknown (at least 10 legions), 2,500 cavalry Jubas allied troops with 60 elephants Casualties 1,000 30,000 {{{notes}}} The Battle of Thapsus took place on February 6, 46 BC near... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ... Sextus Pompeius Magnus Pius, in English Sextus Pompey, was a Roman general from the late Republic (1st century BC). ... Titus Labienus (c. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... The Roman legion (from Latin legio, from legere — to collect) was the basic military unit of the ancient Roman army. ... During the Roman Republic, Hispania Ulterior was a region of Hispania roughly located in Baetica and in the Guadalquivir valley of modern Spain. ... Location within Europe, Spain and Andalusia Córdoba, the Roman bridge and the Mosque-Cathedral View across the old Roman bridge towards the Mezquita Interior court of the Mezquita Córdoba is a city in Andalucía, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. ...

Thus, Julius Caesar was forced to move from Rome to Spain to deal with the Pompeius brothers. He brought two trusted veteran legions (legio X Equestris and legio V Alaudae) and some newer legions (including legio III Gallica and legio VI Ferrata), but in the main was forced to rely on the recruits already present in Spain. Caesar covered the 1,500 miles from Rome to Obulco in less than one month, arriving in early December (he immediately wrote a short poem, Iter, describing this journey). Caesar had called for his great-nephew Octavian to join him, but due to his health Octavian was only able to reach him after the conclusion of the campaign. Capitalizing on his surprise arrival Caesar was able to relieve the stronghold of Ulipia (a town which had remained loyal to him and had been unsuccessfully besieged by Gnaeus Pompeius) but was unable to take Corduba, which was defended by Sextus Pompeius. Under Labienus’ advice, Gnaeus Pompeius decided to avoid an open battle, and Caesar was forced to wage a winter campaign, while procuring food and shelter for his army. After a short siege, Caesar took the fortified city of Ategua; this was an important blow to the Pompeian confidence and morale, and some of the native allies started to desert to Caesar. Another skirmish near Soricaria on March 7 went in Caesar's favor; many Roman knights in the Pompeiain camp began planning to defect and Gnaeus Pompeius was forced to abandon his delaying tactics and offer battle. Gaius Julius Caesar (IPA: Classical Latin: IMP•C•IVLIVS•CAESAR•DIVVS1), July 12, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader. ... Legio X Gemina, the twin legion, was levied by Julius Caesar on 58 BC, for his invasion of Gaul. ... Legio V Alaudae, the larks, sometimes known as Gallica, was levied by Julius Caesar in 52 BC from native Gauls. ... Legio III Gallica was a Roman legion levied by Julius Caesar around 49 BC, for his civil war against the conservative republicans led by Pompey. ... Legio VI Ferrata (Ironclad) was a Roman legion. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC mythical, 1st millennium BC Region Latium Area  - City Proper  1285 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,553,873 almost 4,300,000 1. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Augustus Caesar The title Caesar Augustus, given to every emperor of the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, originates from this person. ... Augustus Caesar The title Caesar Augustus, given to every emperor of the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, originates from this person. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ... Location within Europe, Spain and Andalusia Córdoba, the Roman bridge and the Mosque-Cathedral View across the old Roman bridge towards the Mezquita Interior court of the Mezquita Córdoba is a city in Andalucía, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. ... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ...

Battle

The two armies met in the plains of Munda, near Osuna, in southern Spain. The Pompeian army was situated on a gentle hill, less than one mile from the walls of Munda, in a defensible position. Caesar led a total of 8 legions (80 cohorts), with 8,000 horsemen, while Pompeius commanded 13 legions, 6,000 light-infantrymen and about 6,000 horsemen. Many of the Republican soldiers had already surrendered to Caesar in previous campaigns and had then deserted his army to rejoin Pompeius: they would fight with desperation, fearing that they would not be pardoned a second time (indeed Caesar had hitherto executed prisoners). After an unsuccessful ploy designed to lure the Pompeians down the hill, Caesar ordered a frontal attack (with the watchword Venus, the goddess reputed to be his ancestor). The fighting lasted for some time without a clear advantage for either side, causing the generals to leave their commanding positions and join the ranks. As Caesar himself later said he had fought many times for victory, but at Munda he had to fight for his life. Caesar took command of his right wing, where his favourite Legio X Equestris was involved in heavy fighting. With Caesar’s inspiration the tenth legion began to push back Pompeius forces. Cognizant of the danger, Gnaeus Pompeius removed a legion from his own right wing to reinforce the threatened left wing. However, as soon as the Pompeian right wing was thus weakened, Caesar's cavalry launched a decisive attack which turned the course of the battle. King Bogud of Mauritania and his cavalry, Caesar's allies, attacked the rear of the Pompeian camp. Titus Labienus, commander of the Pompeian cavalry, saw this maneuver and moved to intercept them. Unfortunately for Pompeius, his legionaries mis-interpreted the situation. Already under heavy pressure on both the left (from Legio X) and right wings (the cavalry charge), they thought Labienus was retreating. The Pompeian legions broke their lines and fled in disorder. Although some were able to find refuge within the walls of Munda, many more were killed in the rout. At the end of the battle there were about 30,000 Pompeians dead on the field; losses on Caesar’s side were 1,000 dead and 500 wounded. All 13 standards of the Pompeian legions were captured, a sign of complete disbandment. Titus Labienus died on the field and was granted a burial by Caesar, while Gneus and Sextus Pompeius managed to escape from the battlefield. Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Statue of Venus in the British Museum. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Legio X Gemina, the twin legion, was levied by Julius Caesar on 58 BC, for his invasion of Gaul. ... Pompeius (fem. ... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Titus Labienus (c. ... Titus Labienus (c. ... For the Hindu monster, see Munda (Hinduism), for Caesars battle see battle of Munda, and for the language family see Munda languages. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Titus Labienus (c. ...

Aftermath

Caesar left his legate Quintus Fabius Maximus to besiege Munda and moved to pacify the province. Corduba surrendered: men in arms present in the town (mostly armed slaves) were executed and the city was forced to pay a heavy indemnity. The city of Munda held out for some time, but, after an unsuccessful attempt to break the siege, surrendered, with 14,000 prisoners taken. Gaius Didius, a naval commander loyal to Caesar, hunted down most of the Pompeian ships. Gnaeus Pompeius looked for refuge on land, but was soon taken and executed. Although Sextus Pompeius remained at large, after Munda there were no more conservative armies challenging Caesar’s dominion. Upon his return to Rome he became dictator for life; though his triumph was short-lived; Caesar was murdered on March 15 of the following year (44 BC) by the next generation of conservative republicans, led by Brutus and Cassius. By that point, the Roman Republic was doomed to become the Empire. Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... For the Hindu monster, see Munda (Hinduism), for Caesars battle see battle of Munda, and for the language family see Munda languages. ... Location within Europe, Spain and Andalusia Córdoba, the Roman bridge and the Mosque-Cathedral View across the old Roman bridge towards the Mezquita Interior court of the Mezquita Córdoba is a city in Andalucía, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. ... For the Hindu monster, see Munda (Hinduism), for Caesars battle see battle of Munda, and for the language family see Munda languages. ... Caesar (Latin:CAESAR, IPA: kaɪsÉ‘r [kae-sahr], common English IPA:siːzÉš [see-zr]) was originally a cognomen in ancient Rome, derived from cai- (of unknown meaning) from which Gaius also derives. ... Gnaeus Pompeius (c. ... Sextus Pompeius Magnus Pius, in English Sextus Pompey, was a Roman general from the late Republic (1st century BC). ... March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (75th in Leap years). ... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC 50s BC - 40s BC - 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC 0s Years: 49 BC 48 BC 47 BC 46 BC 45 BC 44 BC 43 BC 42 BC 41 BC... Marcus Junius Brutus Caepio (85 BC – 42 BC), or simply Brutus, was a Roman senator of the late Roman Republic. ... Gaius Cassius Longinus (Before 85 BC – October, 42 BC) was a Roman senator and the prime mover in the conspiracy against Julius Caesar. ... See also Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century). ...

Primary Sources

• Appian, Roman Civil Wars. Book 2: 103–105
• Cassio, Dio. Roman History. Book 47: 28–42
• Caesar, Julius, Commentarius De Bello Hispaniensi, 1–42.