Meantime, Pompey had gathered a powerful army in Thessaly, and thither
Cæsar with his legions proceeded against him. The decisive battle
between the two mighty rivals was fought at Pharsalia, in 48 B. C. It
resulted in the utter defeat of Pompey; and as it left Cæsar the
foremost man in the Roman world, it must be regarded as one of the great
decisive battles of history.
Pompey, after his defeat, sought refuge in Egypt; but he was
assassinated by the orders of Ptolemy, when seeking to land on the coast
of that country. Cæsar, who followed in pursuit, did not hear of his
death until his arrival in Alexandria, where messengers from Ptolemy
brought him Pompey’s head. Cæsar, who was both a generous man and a
compassionate foe, turned with horror from the spectacle, and with tears
in his eyes gave orders that the head should be consumed with the
costliest spices.