Pompey’s forces that escaped from Pharsalia had established themselves
in the Roman province of Africa. They were commanded by Scipio and Cato.
Cæsar having settled matters in the East, now proceeded against this
force, which he utterly destroyed at Thapsus, early in the year 46 B. C.
Scipio and Cato killed themselves. One more rally the Pompeians made in
Spain, but they were defeated by Cæsar in the decisive battle of Munda
(March, 45 B. C).
Cæsar returned to Rome after the battle of Thapsus, the master of the
Roman dominion. The republic went out when Cato fell upon his sword at
Utica; the monarchy came in with the triumphal entry of Cæsar into Rome
in the summer of 46 B. C. It is true Cæsar was not king (_rex_) in name,
but he was so in substance. His position as chief of the state was this:
he was invested with the dictatorship for ten years,--an arrangement
changed soon afterwards to perpetual dictator,--and was hailed with the
title of Imperator for life. The latter title, Imperator (meaning
commander), was one which belonged under the republic to the victorious
general; but it was a temporary title, always laid aside with the
surrender of military command. Cæsar was allowed to use it in a special
way and permanently, and in his case it had much the meaning of the term
Emperor,--a word which is simply Imperator cut short.