Pompey's Downfall
Pompey tried to gain allies in the senate, but
it was to late. Caesar and his troops marched across the Rubicon and on
to Rome on January 11, 49 BC. Pompey had a larger army than Caesar with
40,000 men, but they were inexperienced compared to Caesar's 22,000 experienced
fighters. Pompey was pressured heavily by the Senate to attack first, and
he did so against his better judgment. Caesar won at the battle of Pharsalus,
destroying Pompey's army and killing many senators. Pompey escaped, fleeing
to Egypt, where he tried to ally ptolemy. Caesar quickly put Rome into order
and went after Pompey. The Egyptians saw Caesar coming and Ptolemy had Pompey
discreetly killed.
Gnaeus Pompeius died in 48 BC, thus ending the
first Triumvirate.
