June–August 48 BC · Epirus (modern Albania) Theater
June–August 48 BC
Caesar crossed the Adriatic in January 48 BC with only half his army, deliberately risking surprise. He established a position near Pompey's camp at Dyrrachium and then, in a remarkable reversal of the Alesia strategy, attempted to surround Pompey's far larger army with circumvallation — though this time on open coastal ground rather than hills. Both armies dug increasingly elaborate earthworks for months. Pompey had naval superiority and could resupply by sea; Caesar's men were eating bark and roots. In late July, Pompey found a gap in Caesar's lines — betrayed by two Gallic officers who deserted — and launched a coordinated attack that collapsed Caesar's left wing. For the first and only time in the civil wars, Caesar ordered a retreat from a battle. He lost approximately 1,000 men killed and 32 centurions. Pompey failed to press the pursuit, and Caesar reportedly said that the war might have ended that day if Pompey knew how to win.
Commanders