Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC) - The Battle

The Battle

Pompey mounted an attack of six legions against Caesar's line where it joined the sea and where Caesar's IX legion was stationed. Heavily outnumbering the Caesarian troops, the Pompeian army broke through the weakened fortifications, causing this segment of Caesar's force to pull back from the onslaught. Caesar swiftly reinforced the breach with twelve cohorts under Antony and then counter attacked, re-securing part of the wall and pushing Pompey's forces back. Although initially successful Pompey's forces were simply too numerous and they began to flank Caesar's right wing which buckled as it was threatened from the rear. As the wing collapsed, Caesar's army began to rout. At first Caesar personally tried to stem the retreat, but then realised the potentially disastrous danger his army faced and instead began to co-ordinate the withdrawal of his army.