Dictionary of Battles / From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

by Thomas Benfield Harbottle

Pharsalus (Civil War of Cæsar and Pompey).

Fought August 9, B.C. 48, between the Pompeians, 60,000 strong, under Pompey, and Cæsareans, 25,000 strong, under Cæsar. The Pompeian cavalry drove back that of Cæsar, but following in pursuit, were thrown into confusion by the legionaries, whereupon they turned and fled from the field; the infantry followed and the battle became a rout, in which 15,000 Pompeians, and only 200 Cæsareans fell. After the battle, 20,000 Pompeians surrendered.