Pharsalia
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Pharsalia (also known as the Bellum civile or Civil War) is a Roman epic poem by the poet Lucan, telling of the civil war between Julius Caesar and the forces of the Roman Senate led by Pompey the Great. Pharsalia is a reference to the Battle of Pharsalus, which occurred in 48 BC, near Pharsalus, Thessaly, in northern Greece, where Caesar decisively defeated Pompey.
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[edit] Origins
It was written in Latin, begun around 61 AD, and was probably unfinished and untitled, when Lucan died in 65 AD. There are ten surviving books which comprise the poem. It is unknown if there were any others written or planned. Book I, after some background, begins the story of the war, with Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon, in January 49 BC. Books II through IX continue the story. They tell of Pompey's flight from Italy, Caesar's defeat of the Pompeiian forces in Spain, his pursuit of Pompey to Thessaly, the ensuing battle at Pharsalus, and Pompey's death in Egypt. Book X leaves off with Caesar and Cleopatra in Egypt.
Pharsalia, New York, USA is named after the battle.
[edit] Editions
- Carolus Hermannus Weise, Leipzig, G. Bassus. (1835). online text
[edit] Translations
- Sir Edward Ridley (1896) online text (The Online Medieval & Classical Library)
- J. D. Duff, M.A. and Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge (1928 printing, renewed through 1988).
[edit] Significant quotes
- Deratne tibi fiducia nostri? (Was it this lack of self-confidence that troubled you?) [Oak-leafed Laelius, chief centurion, to Caesar. Book I.362 - see surrounding for context.]
