Transcript Numidians (Pompeians)

Ruspina
January 4, 46 BC
Strategic Context
In 49 BC, civil war fractures the Roman Empire as Julius Caesar and Pompey struggle for control. In 48 BC, Pompey
is defeated by Caesar at the Battle of Pharsalus and is pursued to Egypt where he is killed by King Ptolemy XIII.
Despite Ptolemy’s death, the Pompeians continue to build up forces in North Africa under the command of Metellus
Scipio, Titus Labenius and King Juba of Numidia. After side quests in Egypt and Pontus, Caesar finally returns to
Rome, puts down a mutiny in his veteran legions, and lands in North Africa in December 47 BC. With most of his army
yet to arrive, Caesar launches a major foraging expedition south to sustain his forces until his fleet arrives with
reinforcements and supplies. Labenius’ largely Numidian army is also awaiting reinforcements as the main Pompeian
army under Scipio is only a few days away. Labenius surprises Caesar’s small Roman army as it forages, forcing
Caesar to quickly form a battle line.
Stakes
+ A Roman victory would allow the rest of
Caesar’s forces to arrive in North Africa to
meet Scipio and Labenius in a decisive
battle.
+ A Numidian (Pompeian) victory would
destroy Caesar’s small army or at least
push it away from the sea, ending its
chances of being reinforced.
By Jonathan Webb, 2013 ©
Ruspina, 46 BC
Strength
Romans
Numidians
Julius Caesar
Titus Labienus
9,000 heavy infantry
150 archers
400 cavalry
20,000 light infantry
11,200 cavalry
Well
Well
By Jonathan Webb, 2013 ©
With
the deploys
Roman
army
surrounded,
there
is
aand
lull
in
the
fighting
with
side
attacking.
Numidians
content
to
shower
the
Romans
with
Labenius
his
light
Numidian
troops
at
the
center,
light
infantry
andneither
cavalry
interspersed;
heThe
places
his
heavier
German
and
Gallic
cavalry
on the
wings.
Labenius
sends
his
Numidian
light
cavalry
forward
totothrow
their
javelins,
which
soon
retreat
as
some
Roman
infantry
break
Labenius’
Caesar’s
Caesar
quickly
launches
troops
intent
forms
is
are
one
nottiring
his
last
toarmy
envelop
attack
butback
dusk
with
into
is
hit
column
his
approaching
the
exhausted
Roman
withdraw
flanks
under
cavalry
however,
to
which
camp
and cover
some
but
but
covers
to
he
infantry
completely
plans
littleare
to
todistance
force
extricate
surround
the
before
his
Numidians
the
army.
Petreius
Roman
Caesar
back,
army.
and
missiles,plans
panicking
somethe
of Caesar’s
lesswear
experienced
troops,
while
only wait
outCaesar
the Numidian
supply
of missiles
and line
the to
onset
of
Labenius
to surround
Roman army,
it down with
missiles,
andCaesar
provokecan
a panicked
rout.
deploys his
infantry
in a long thin
try and
ranks
to attack
them.
The
Numidian
light
infantry
advance
to
launch
their
missiles
as the
unshielded
right
side
of
the
As
promptly
Piso
wounding
Caesar
arrive
orders
Petreius
orders
with
more
every
his
inplaces
infantry
Numidian
the
second
process.
tocohort
light
not
advance
cavalry
tomorale
last
to
past
effort
tothen
rally
itstheir
rear
allows
the
and
Numidians
Caesar
attack
standard,
to
and
toretreat
support
harass
the
Numidians
the
camp
Roman
cavalry’s
unmolested
surround
rear.
sudden
the
asattack
the
small
Numidian
on
Roman
each
match
the Numidian
line;
hepresence
his
archers
in This
front
ofturn
his infantry
and
hiscohort’s
cavalry
onItthe
he
orders
his
cavalry
not
to
allow
themselves
to be
enveloped.
dusk.
Caesar’s
personal
maintains
the
of
his
troops
for
now.
is wings;
during
this
lullto
in
fighting
that
Labenius
is
wounded
by
one
of
Roman
infantry.
German
and
Gallic
cavalry
advance
as
well,
pushing
the
outnumbered
cavalry.
Caesar
surprised
byLabenius’
the
oftheir
the
Numidians
and
plans
toas
hold
simply
preserve
his back
army
for
now.
army.
end
commanders
ofis the
Numidian
opt
toappearance
draw
encirclement.
off
forces.
The
Roman
attack
is and
successful,
forcing
the
Numidians
backRoman
in confusion.
the veteran
Roman
legionnaires
when
a javelin
fells
his
horse
hefast
taunts
the
Roman
troops.
Numidians (Pompeians)
(Labenius)
N
Romans
(Julius Caesar)
9,000 heavy infantry
150 archers
400 cavalry
Numidians (Pompeians)
(Titus Labenius)
20,000 light infantry
11,200 cavalry
Romans
(Caesar)
Ruspina, 46 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Romans:
Numidians (Pompeians):
≈400
≈1,200
or
or
4%
4%
Scipio and the main Pompeian army arrived shortly after the battle, harassing and
challenging Caesar’s army to battle. Caesar declined each time, maneuvering until his
reinforcements arrived, bringing his army up to full strength. Caesar finally gives battle in
April 47 BC at Thapsus where he decisively defeated the Pompeians, killing most of its
leadership including Scipio, Petreius, Cato and Juba. Labenius escaped to join Pompey’s
sons in Spain. Caesar defeated them at the Battle of Munda in 45 BC to finally end the
war, but was assassinated the following year.
By Jonathan Webb, 2013 ©
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By Jonathan Webb, 2013 ©