d
many princes from the East, a majority of the Senatorial families
of Rome, Cato and Cicero, the vanquished Afranius, and the renegade
Labienus. There were nine full legions, with cavalry and auxiliaries,
amounting in all to 100,000 men.

Caesar reached Brundisium at the end of the year 49. His forces were
fewer in number than those of his adversary, amounting to not more than
15,000 infantry and 600 cavalry. But his legionaries were all veterans,
inured to toil and hunger, to heat and cold, and every man was devoted
to his leader.

On the 4th of January he set sail from Brundisium, landing after
an uneventful voyage at Acroceraunia. He advanced at once towards
Dyrrachium where were Pompey's head-quarters, occupied Apollonia, and
intrenched himself on the left bank of the river Apsus. The country was
well disposed and furnished him with ample supplies.

Caesar sent back the vessels on which he crossed to transport his
remaining troops, but they were intercepted on their way across and
many of them destroyed. He was therefore compelled to confine himself to
trifling operations, until his lieutenant, Mark Antony, could fit out
a second fleet and bring over the remainder of his legions. When Antony
finally crossed, he landed one hundred miles up the coast. Pompey's
forces were between him and Caesar, and his position was full of danger;
but Caesar marched rapidly round Dyrrachium, and joined him before
Pompey knew of his movements.

The great general was now ready for action. He built a line of strongly
fortified forts around Pompey's camp, blockading him by land. He turned
the streams of water aside, causing as much inconvenience as possible to
the enemy. So the siege dragged on into June.

Two deserters informed Pompey of a weak spot in Caesar's line. At
this point Pompey made a sudden attack. For once Caesar's troops were
surprised and panic-stricken. Even his own presence did not cause them
to rally. Nearly one thousand of his men fell, thirty-two standards, and
a few hundred soldiers were captured.

This victory was the ruin of Pompey's cause. Its importance was
exaggerated. His followers were sure that the war was practically over;
and so certain were they of ultimate success that they neglected to
follow up the advantage gained, and gave Caesar opportunity to recover
from the blow.

The latter now retired from the sea-board into Thessaly. Pompey
followed, confident of victory. The nobles in his camp amused