In 48 BC, the Roman Republic was locked in a deadly struggle between two of its greatest generals — Julius Caesar and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, better known as Pompey the Great. After a year of civil war, Caesar had triumphed in Spain and taken control of key territories, but Pompey had used the time to build a massive army and dominate the seas. The stage was set for a dramatic confrontation at Dyrrachium — one of the most critical campaigns of the entire Roman Civil War.
This episode tells the full story of the Dyrrachium campaign, from the strategic situation after the fall of Massilia and the disasters suffered by Caesar’s lieutenants, to the risky midwinter crossing of the Adriatic. With only half his army, Caesar landed in Epirus and moved swiftly to capture Oricum, Apollonia, and the loyalty of much of the region. Meanwhile, Pompey gathered his full strength, securing Dyrrhachium — his main supply base — before Caesar could seize it.
What followed was a tense standoff across the Apsus River, daring maneuvers to bring in reinforcements, and a struggle for control of the sea routes. Mark Antony’s arrival with veteran Gallic legions tipped the balance, forcing Pompey to pull back toward the coast. Caesar then attempted a massive encirclement of Pompey’s fortified camp, building a network of trenches and redoubts in an effort to starve his opponent into submission.
But a single weak point in Caesar’s siege lines — revealed by deserters — would change everything. Pompey launched a breakout with sixty cohorts, supported by naval landings, overwhelming the defenders of Caesar’s Ninth Legion. The resulting collapse triggered one of the worst routs of Caesar’s career, costing him over 4,000 men. Despite his overwhelming advantage, Pompey chose not to press the attack, letting Caesar escape to Thessaly.
This battle was one of the few clear defeats Caesar ever suffered, and it set the stage for the decisive showdown at Pharsalus. In this episode, we explore the tactics, strategy, and decisions that shaped the Dyrrhachium campaign — a moment when the fate of the Roman Republic hung in the balance.
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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