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that part where the general himself commanded。 For they thought no
phalanx of infantry could be solid enough to sustain such a shock； but
that they must necessarily be broken and shattered all to pieces
upon the onset of so immense a force of cavalry。 When they were
ready on both sides to give the signal for battle； Pompey commanded
his foot； who were in the front； to stand their ground； and without
breaking their order； receive； quietly； the enemy's first attack； till
they came within javelin's cast。 Caesar； in this respect； also； blames
Pompey's generalship； as if he had not been aware how the first
encounter； when made with an impetus and upon the run； gives weight
and force to the strokes； and fires the men's spirits into a flame；
which the general concurrence fans to full heat。 He himself was just
putting the troops into motion and advancing to the action； when he
found one of his captains； a trusty and experienced soldier；
encouraging his men to exert their utmost。 Caesar called him by his
name； and said； 〃What hopes； Caius Crassinius； and what grounds for
encouragement？〃 Crassinius stretched out his hand； and cried in a loud
voice； 〃We shall conquer nobly； Caesar； and I this day will deserve
your praises； either alive or dead。〃 So he said； and was the first man
to run in upon the enemy； followed by the hundred and twenty
soldiers about him； and breaking through the first rank； still pressed
on forwards with much slaughter of the enemy； till at last he was
struck back by the wound of a sword； which went in at his mouth with
such force that it came out at his neck behind。
Whilst the foot was thus sharply engaged in the main battle； on
the flank Pompey's horse rode up confidently； and opened their ranks
very wide； that they might surround the right wing of Caesar。 But
before they engaged； Caesar's cohorts rushed out and attacked them；
and did not dart their javelins at a distance； nor strike at the
thighs and legs； as they usually did in close battle； but aimed at
their faces。 For thus Caesar had instructed them； in hopes that
young gentlemen； who had not known much of battles and wounds； but
came wearing their hair long； in the flower of their age and height of
their beauty； would be more apprehensive of such blows； and not care
for hazarding both a danger at present and a blemish for the future。
And so it proved； for they were so far from bearing the stroke of
the javelins； that they could not stand the sight of them； but
turned about； and covered their faces to secure them。 Once in
disorder； presently they turned about to fly； and so most shamefully
ruined all。 For those who had beat them back at once outflanked the
infantry； and falling on their rear； cut them to pieces。 Pompey； who
commanded the other wing of the army； when he saw his cavalry thus
broken and flying； was no longer himself； nor did he now remember that
he was Pompey the Great； but； like one whom some god had deprived of
his senses； retired to his tent without speaking a word； and there sat
to expect the event； till the whole army was routed and the enemy
appeared upon the works which were thrown up before the camp； where
they closely engaged with his men who were posted there to defend
it。 Then first he seemed to have recovered his senses； and uttering；
it is said； only these words； 〃What； into the camp too？〃 he laid aside
his general's habit； and putting on such clothes as might best
favour his flight； stole off。 What fortune he met with afterwards； how
he took shelter in Egypt； and was murdered there； we tell you in his
Life。
Caesar； when he came to view Pompey's camp； and saw some of his
opponents dead upon the ground； others dying； said； with a groan；
〃This they would have； they brought me to this necessity。 I； Caius
Caesar； after succeeding in so many wars； had been condemned had I
dismissed my army。〃 These words； Pollio says； Caesar spoke in Latin at
that time； and that he himself wrote them in Greek； adding； that those
who were killed at the taking of the camp were most of them
servants； and that not above six thousand soldiers fell。 Caesar
incorporated most of the foot whom he took prisoners with his own
legions； and gave a free pardon to many of the distinguished
persons； and amongst the rest to Brutus； who afterwards killed him。 He
did not immediately appear after the battle was over； which put
Caesar； it is said； into great anxiety for him； nor was his pleasure
less when he saw him present himself alive。
There were many prodigies that foreshadowed this victory； but the
most remarkable that we are told of was that at Tralles。 In the temple
of Victory stood Caesar's statue。 The ground on which it stood was
naturally hard and solid； and the stone with which it was paved
still harder； yet it is said that a palm…tree shot itself up near
the pedestal of this statue。 In the city of Padua； one Caius
Cornelius； who had the character of a good augur； the fellow…citizen
and acquaintance of Livy； the historian； happened to be making some
augural observations that very day when the battle was fought。 And
first； as Livy tells us； he pointed out the time of the fight； and
said to those who were by him that just then the battle was begun
and the men engaged。 When he looked a second time； and observed the
omens； he leaped up as if he had been inspired； and cried out；
〃Caesar； are victorious。〃 This much surprised the standers…by； but
he took the garland which he had on from his head； and swore he
would never wear it again till the event should give authority to
his art。 This Livy positively states for a truth。
Caesar； as a memorial of his victory； gave the Thessalians their
freedom； and then went in pursuit of Pompey。 When he was come into
Asia； to gratify Theopompus； the author of the collection of fables；
he enfranchised the Cnidians； and remitted one…third of their
tribute to all the people of the province of Asia。 When he came to
Alexandria； where Pompey was already murdered； he would not look
upon Theodotus； who presented him with his head； but taking only his
signet； shed tears。 Those of Pompey's friends who had been arrested by
the King of Egypt； as they were wandering in those parts； he relieved；
and offered them his own friendship。 In his letter to his friends at
Rome； he told them that the greatest and most signal pleasure his
victory had given him was to be able continually to save the lives
of fellow…citizens who had fought against him。 As to the war in Egypt；
some say it was at once dangerous and dishonourable； and noways
necessary； but occasioned only by his passion for Cleopatra。 Others
blame the ministers of the king； and especially the eunuch Pothinus；
who was the chief favourite and had lately killed Pompey； who had
banished Cleopatra；