The Prelude to Civil War

The year was 48 BCE, and the Roman Republic was embroiled in a brutal civil war between two of its most formidable generals: Julius Caesar and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, better known as Pompey the Great. The conflict had erupted after Caesar famously crossed the Rubicon in 49 BCE, defying the Senate’s orders and plunging Rome into war. By early 48 BCE, Caesar had secured Italy and Spain, forcing Pompey and the senatorial faction to regroup in Greece.

Pompey, a seasoned commander with vast resources, had prepared for a prolonged war. His control over the Adriatic Sea ensured steady supply lines, while his legions were well-provisioned and numerically superior. Caesar, on the other hand, faced dire logistical challenges. His fleet, still under construction in Sicily and southern Gaul, was nowhere near ready, leaving him without naval support. Cut off from Italian supply routes, Caesar’s situation was precarious.

Caesar’s Bold Strategy: From Pursuit to Siege

Recognizing that a drawn-out war favored Pompey, Caesar abandoned conventional tactics. Instead of waiting, he chose aggression. After reuniting with his lieutenant Mark Antony and his reinforcements, Caesar immediately turned to pursue Pompey’s retreating forces. Two days later, he caught up and issued a formal challenge—symbolized by hanging a red tunic outside his command tent. But Pompey, confident in his defensive position, refused to engage.

With his initial plan thwarted, Caesar adapted. He divided his ten legions and 1,300 cavalry into multiple detachments, dispatching them across central and eastern Greece. Their objectives were threefold:
1. Secure food supplies to alleviate the strain on his army.
2. Garner local support, particularly among Greeks resentful of Pompey’s heavy taxation.
3. Intercept Pompey’s reinforcements, led by Metellus Scipio.

These maneuvers yielded mixed results. While some Greek cities quietly sided with Caesar, their support was cautious—no one wanted to back the losing side. Meanwhile, Pompey’s naval dominance kept his supply lines intact.

The Siege Begins: A Battle of Wits and Fortifications

By mid-April, Caesar initiated a daring encirclement of Pompey’s coastal stronghold at Petra, near Dyrrhachium (modern-day Durrës, Albania). Despite being outnumbered, Caesar’s engineers began constructing a 25.5-kilometer network of trenches, palisades, and forts to cut off Pompey’s land routes. Pompey responded by building his own defensive line, creating a fortified “double ring” around his camp.

The siege became a grueling test of endurance. Caesar’s men, though disciplined, faced severe food shortages. They resorted to eating wild roots and barley meant for horses, while Pompey’s forces mocked their desperation. Yet, morale remained surprisingly high among Caesar’s veterans, who had endured similar hardships in Gaul.

The Turning Point: Pompey’s Failed Offensive

By late June, Pompey—facing his own supply issues, particularly fodder for his cavalry—decided to strike. He spread a false rumor of defectors in Dyrrhachium, luring Caesar away. Seizing the opportunity, Pompey launched simultaneous assaults on six of Caesar’s forts.

The most critical attack targeted a fort defended by just 250 of Caesar’s men. Against overwhelming odds—Pompey committed four legions (24,000 troops)—the defenders held for four hours until reinforcements arrived. Though Caesar’s subordinates urged a counterattack, caution prevailed. The day ended with Pompey losing 2,000 men, while Caesar’s casualties were minimal but included many wounded.

Legacy and Lessons of Dyrrhachium

The Siege of Dyrrhachium was a tactical stalemate but a strategic victory for Pompey. Caesar, unable to sustain the blockade, eventually withdrew. However, the battle revealed key insights:
– Logistics Over Numbers: Despite Pompey’s superior resources, supply shortages forced his hand.
– Morale Matters: Caesar’s ability to maintain his army’s spirit in dire conditions showcased his leadership.
– The Fog of War: Deception, like Pompey’s false rumor, played a decisive role.

Ultimately, the campaign set the stage for the climactic Battle of Pharsalus, where Caesar’s boldness would triumph over Pompey’s caution. The siege remains a masterclass in ancient warfare, illustrating how ingenuity and resilience can defy overwhelming odds.

For modern readers, Dyrrhachium serves as a reminder that even the most brilliant strategies hinge on adaptability—and that history’s greatest clashes are often won not by sheer force, but by the will to endure.