*Thapsus, 46 B. C.* Both the fleet and the army of Pompey had dispersed
after Pharsalus, but Caesar's delay in the East had given the republicans
an opportunity to reassemble their forces. They gathered in Africa where
Caesar's lieutenant Curio, who had invaded the province in 49 B. C., had
been defeated and killed by the Pompeians through the aid of King Juba of
Numidia. From Africa they were now preparing to attack Italy. In Rome,
Caesar had been appointed dictator for 47 B. C. with Antony as his master
of the horse. Here disorder reigned as a result of the distress arising
from the financial stringency brought on by the war. Antony, who was in
Rome, had proved unable to deal with the situation. Caesar reached Italy
in September, 47 B. C., and soon restored order in the city. He was then
called upon to face a serious mutiny of his troops who demanded the
fulfillment of his promises of money and land and their release from
service. By boldness and presence of mind Caesar won them back to their
allegiance and set out for Africa in December, 47 B. C. He landed with
only a portion of his troops and at first was defeated by the republicans
under Scipio and Juba. But he was supported by King Bogud of Mauretania
and a Catalinarian soldier of fortune, Publius Sittius, and after
receiving reinforcements from Italy he besieged the seaport Thapsus.
Scipio came to the rescue but was completely defeated in a bloody battle
near the town. The whole of the province fell into Caesar's hands. Cato,
who was in command of Utica, did not force the citizens to resist but
committed suicide; the other republican leaders, including Juba, either
followed his example, or were taken and executed by the Caesarians. From
Africa Caesar returned to Rome where he celebrated a costly triumph over
Gaul, Egypt, Pharnaces and Juba. He was now undisputed master of the state
and proceeded according to his own judgment to settle the problem of
governing the Roman world.

IV. THE DICTATORSHIP OF JULIUS CAESAR: 46-44 B. C.

*The problem of imperial government.* From 28 July, 46, to 15 March, 44
B. C., Caesar ruled the Roman Empire with despotic power, his position
unchallenged except for a revolt of the Pompeian party in Spain which
required his attention from the autumn of 46 to the spring of 45 B. C. His
victory over Pompey and the republicans had placed upon him the obligation
to provide the empire with a stable form of government and