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lightly as if they were to engage only with Tigranes； King of Armenia；
or some petty Nabathaean king； not with that Caesar and his army
that had stormed a thousand towns； and subdued more than three hundred
several nations； that had fought innumerable battles with the
Germans and Gauls； and always carried the victory； that had taken a
million of men prisoners； and slain as many upon the spot in pitched
battles？
But they went on soliciting and clamouring； and on reaching the
plain of Pharsalia； they forced Pompey by their pressure and
importunities to call a council of war； where Labienus； general of the
horse； stood up first and swore that he would not return out of the
battle if he did not rout the enemies； and all the rest took the
same oath。 That night Pompey dreamed that； as he went into the
theatre； the people received him with great applause； and that he
himself adorned the temple of Venus the Victorious with many spoils。
This vision partly encouraged； but partly also disheartened him；
fearing lest that splendour and ornament to Venus should be made
with spoils furnished by himself to Caesar； who derived his family
from that goddess。 Besides there were some panic fears and alarms that
ran through the camp； with such a noise that it awakened him out of
his sleep。 And about the time of renewing the watch towards morning；
there appeared a great light over Caesar's camp whilst they were all
at rest； and from thence a ball of flaming fire was carried into
Pompey's camp； which Caesar himself says he saw as he was walking
his rounds。
Now Caesar having designed to raise his camp with the morning and
move to Scotussa； whilst the soldiers were busy in pulling down
their tents； and sending on their cattle and servants before them with
their baggage； there came in scouts who brought word that they saw
arms carried to and fro in the enemy's camp； and heard a noise and
running up and down as of men preparing for battle； not long after
there came in other scouts with further intelligence； that the first
ranks were already set in battle array。 Thereupon Caesar； when he
had told them that the wished…for day was come at last； when they
should fight with men； not with hunger and famine； instantly gave
orders for the red colours to be set up before his tent； that being
the ordinary signal of battle among the Romans。 As soon as the
soldiers saw that； they left their tents； and with great shouts of joy
ran to their arms； the officers likewise； on their part； drawing up
their companies in order of battle； every man fell into his proper
rank without any trouble or noise； as quietly and orderly as if they
had been in a dance。
Pompey himself led the right wing of his army against Antony； and
placed his father…in…law； Scipio； in the middle against Lucius
Calvinus。 The left wing was commanded by Lucius Domitius； and
supported by the great mass of the horse。 For almost the whole cavalry
was posted there in the hope of crushing Caesar； and cutting off the
tenth legion； which was spoken of as the stoutest in all the army； and
in which Caesar himself usually fought in person。 Caesar observing the
left wing of the enemy to be lined and fortified with such a mighty
guard of horse； and alarmed at the gallantry of their appearance； sent
for a detachment of six cohorts out of the reserves； and placed them
in the rear of the tenth legion； commanding them not to stir； lest
they should be discovered by the enemy； but when the enemy's horse
should begin to charge； and press upon them； that they should make
up with all speed to the front through the foremost ranks and not
throw their javelins at a distance； as is usual with brave soldiers；
that they come to a close fight with their swords the sooner； but that
they should strike them upwards into the eyes and faces of the
enemy； telling them that those fine young dancers would never endure
the steel shining in their eyes； but would fly to save their
handsome faces。 This was Caesar's employment at that time。 But while
he was thus instructing his soldiers； Pompey on horseback was
viewing the order of both armies； and when he saw how well the enemy
kept their ranks； expecting quietly the signal of battle； and； on
the contrary； how impatient and unsteady his own men were； waving up
and down in disorder for want of experience； he was very much afraid
that their ranks would be broken upon the first onset； and therefore
he gave out orders that the van should make a stand； and keeping close
in their ranks should receive the enemy's charge。 Caesar much condemns
this command； which； he says； not only took off from the strength of
the blows； which would otherwise have been made with a spring； but
also lost the men the impetus； which； more than anything； in the
moment of their coming upon the enemy； fills soldiers with impulse and
inspiration； the very shouts and rapid pace adding to their fury； of
which Pompey deprived his men； arresting them in their course and
cooling down their heat。
Caesar's army consisted of twenty…two thousand； and Pompey's of
somewhat above twice as many。 When the signal of battle was given on
both sides； and the trumpets began to sound a charge； most men of
course were fully occupied with their own matters； only some few of
the noblest Romans； together with certain Greeks there present；
standing as spectators without the battle； seeing the armies now ready
to join； could not but consider in themselves to what a pass private
ambition and emulation had brought the empire。 Common arms； and
kindred ranks drawn up under the selfsame standards； the whole
flower and strength of the same single city here meeting in
collision with itself； offered plain proof how blind and how mad a
thing human nature is when once possessed with any passion； for if
they had been desirous only to rule； and enjoy in peace what they
had conquered in war； the greatest and best part of the world was
subject to them both by sea and land。 But if there was yet a thirst in
their ambition； that must still be fed with new trophies and triumphs；
the Parthian and German wars would yield matter enough to satisfy
the most covetous of honour。 Scythia； moreover； was yet unconquered；
and the Indians too； where their ambition might be coloured over
with the specious pretext of civilizing barbarous nations。 And what
Scythian horse； Parthian arrows； or Indian riches could be able to
resist seventy thousand Roman soldiers； well appointed in arms；
under the command of two such generals as Pompey and Caesar； whose
names they had heard of before that of the Romans； and whose
prowess； by their conquests of such wild； remote； savage； and
brutish nations； was spread further than the fame of the Romans
themselves？ To…day they met in conflict； and could no longer be
induced to spare their country； even out of regard for their own glory
or the fear of losing the name which till this day both had held； of
having never yet been defeated。 As for their former private ties；
and the charms of Julia； and the marriage that had made them near
connections； these could now only be looked upon as tricks of state；
the mere securities of a treaty made to serve the needs of an
occasion； not the pledges of any real friendship。
Now； therefore； as soon as the plains of Pharsalia were covered with
men； horse； and armour； and that the signal of battle was raised on
either side； Caius Crassianus； a centurion； who commanded a company of
one hundred and twenty men； was the first that advanced out of
Caesar's army to give the charge and acquit himself of a solemn
engagement that he had made to Caesar。 He had been the first man
that Caesar had seen going out of the camp in the morning； and Caesar；
after saluting him； had asked him what he thought of the coming
battle。 To which he； stretching out his right hand； replied aloud；
〃Thine is the victory； O Caesar； thou shalt conquer gloriously； and
I myself this day will be the subject of thy praise either alive or
dead。〃 In pursuance of this promise he hastened forward； and being
followed by many more； charged into the midst of the enemy。 There they
came at once to a close fight with their swords； and made a gre