DYRRACHIUM, CAMPAIGN OF (48 B.C.). Having destroyed Pompey's power in Spain, Julius Caesar returned to Italy, and on Nov. 28, 49 B.C., set sail from Brundisium with seven legions for Palaeste on the Epirotic coast. Landing on the 29th, on Dec. 2 he headed for Dyrrachium, which, however, he failed to capture. Though numerically weaker than Pompey he succeeded in cutting him off from this city, and then to safeguard his convoys he drew a circle of trenches some 16 miles in length round Pompey's army. Two deserters from Caesar's camp informed Pompey of ti the weak position in his defences, and acting on this information Pompey determined to attack his enemy's left flank, which rested on the coast.
Caesar had built round Pompey's right flank a line of con travallation and one of circumvallation, between which was posted the IX. legion. Pompey's attack was made at dawn. He landed a number of archers and slingers in rear of Caesar's men, and whilst these broke into the unfinished works he attacked them in front with 6o cohorts. The IX. legion, taken in front, flank and rear, broke in confusion and spread panic amongst the reinforce ments which had been sent out by Marcellinus, near whose camp Antony checked the Pompeians by a bold counter-attack. Caesar, hearing of the disaster, moved rapidly with such cohorts as he could collect towards the scene of action, only to find that Pom pey had established a new camp on his own original left flank. Nothing daunted, Caesar entrenched his men opposite to Pom pey, and attempted to turn Pompey's left flank, but his forces, taking panic fell back, and the attack failed. In this battle Caesar suffered a severe defeat, and not only were his losses consider able, but his loss of prestige almost disastrous to his cause. Caesar's operations throughout this campaign, though daring in the extreme, were essentially faulty. By attempting to enclose a numerically superior adversary he was strong nowhere, and had Pompey known how to win victory as well as fight a battle Caesar must have been decisively defeated. (See PHARSALUS.)