Episode
The Dictator's Year: Caesar's 48 BC Campaign in Greece
- Published
- Jul 1, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 579
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Summary
In 48 BC, Julius Caesar faced his greatest military challenge yet: crossing the Adriatic in winter, narrowly escaping disaster at Dyrrhachium, and finally crushing Pompey the Great at Pharsalus. This episode follows Caesar's harrowing campaign through Greece, from the risky crossing with half his army to the desperate siege lines around Dyrrhachium, where Pompey nearly won. We explore the politics of the moment — Caesar's controversial appointment as dictator, the flight of the optimates, and the brutal aftermath for the Pompeian cause. Specific figures include Caesar, Pompey, Mark Antony, Labienus, and the young future emperor Augustus. The battle of Pharsalus itself is analyzed: how Caesar's smaller force used a hidden fourth line to rout Pompey's cavalry, winning the day with disciplined infantry. We also touch on the later Alexandrian War and Caesar's famous dictum 'Veni, vidi, vici.' This is the pivot point of the Roman Republic's collapse. #JuliusCaesar #PompeyTheGreat #Pharsalus #RomanRepublic #Dyrrhachium #MarkAntony #Labienus #VeniVidiVici #AlexandrianWar #Optimates #CaesarsDictatorship #Brundisium #AdriaticCrossing #AncientGreece #RomanCivilWar #MilitaryHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo