Page:The Pharsalia of Lucan; (IA cu31924026485809).pdf/12

the beginning of 49 b.c. to near the close of 48 b.c., and therefore describes a historic action which took place rather more than a hundred years before the time at which it was written. The struggle between Cæsar and Pompeius for the rule of Rome was then entering into its final phase. Crassus, the third of the Triumvirs, had been defeated and slain by the Parthians about four years before; Julia, Cæsar's daughter and Pompeius' wife, had died in 54 b.c.; Cæsar had completed his conquest of Gaul; and the two great rivals were face to face.

The events of the two years in question may be shortly stated thus:

49 b.c. January.—Cæsar crosses the Rubicon and enters Italy, while Pompeius and the Senators who adhere to his cause withdraw from Rome. (Book I.)

March.—Pompeius quits Brundusium and sails to Epirus, leaving all Italy in the hands of his rival. (Book II.)

April.—Cæsar visits Rome and besieges Marseilles. (Book III.)

June 23 to August 2.—Cæsar conducts a victorious campaign against Pompeius' generals on the Ebro. (Book IV.)

September.—Curio, one of Cæsar's lieutenants, is defeated and slain by Juba in Africa. (Book IV.)

December.—Cæsar again visits Rome, where he is elected Consul for the ensuing year. (Book V.)

48 b.c. January.—Cæsar crosses to Epirus and confronts Pompeius at Durazzo. (Books V., VI.)

August 9.—Battle of Pharsalia. (Book VII.)

September 29.—Pompeius having fled to Egypt, is there murdered by one of the King's guards. (Book VIII.)

October.—Cæsar arrives in Egypt, and hostilities commence between him and the Egyptians. (Books IX., X.)

November.—Cato marches through the desert of Africa to Utica with the remnant of Pompeius' army. (Book IX.)