10-27-2004, 02:47 PM
I have Oxford's translation of Caesar's Civil War by John Carter. I am unclear about Pompey's line at the battle of Pharsalus. Were Pompey's legions, I and III on his right wing next to the Enipeus River?<br>
Caesar starts off by saying, "On drawing close to Pompey's camp, Caesar saw that his line of battle was arranged as follows. On the LEFT wing were the two legions...the First, the other the Third. This was where Pompey placed himself." He later says "A river with difficult banks protected his RIGHT wing; he had therefore put his whole body of cavalry and all his archers on his LEFT wing."<br>
In describing the legion's placement Caesar does not say "his (Pompey's) left." He just says "the LEFT wing.." it appears to me this "left" is from Caesar's perspective, which would actually be Pompey's right wing by the river. I'm getting confused here! Can anyone help? <p></p><i></i>
Caesar starts off by saying, "On drawing close to Pompey's camp, Caesar saw that his line of battle was arranged as follows. On the LEFT wing were the two legions...the First, the other the Third. This was where Pompey placed himself." He later says "A river with difficult banks protected his RIGHT wing; he had therefore put his whole body of cavalry and all his archers on his LEFT wing."<br>
In describing the legion's placement Caesar does not say "his (Pompey's) left." He just says "the LEFT wing.." it appears to me this "left" is from Caesar's perspective, which would actually be Pompey's right wing by the river. I'm getting confused here! Can anyone help? <p></p><i></i>