Aware of the danger, Gnaeus Pompeius removed a legion from his own right wing to reinforce the threatened left wing. With Caesar’s inspiration the tenth legion began to push back Pompeius' forces. Caesar took command of his right wing, where his favorite Legio X Equestris was involved in heavy fighting. As Caesar himself later said he had fought many times for victory, but at Munda he had to fight for his life. The fighting lasted for 8 hours without a clear advantage for either side, causing the generals to leave their commanding positions and join the ranks. After an unsuccessful ploy designed to lure the Pompeians down the hill, Caesar ordered a frontal attack (with the watchword " Venus", the goddess reputed to be his ancestor). Many of the Republican soldiers had already surrendered to Caesar in previous campaigns and had then deserted his army to rejoin Pompeius: they would fight with desperation, fearing that they would not be pardoned a second time (indeed Caesar had executed prisoners at his last major victory, at Thapsus). Caesar led a total of eight legions (80 cohorts), with 8,000 horsemen, while Pompeius commanded thirteen legions, 6,000 light-infantrymen and about 6,000 horsemen. The Pompeian army was situated on a gentle hill, less than one mile (1.6 km) from the walls of Munda, in a defensible position. The two armies met in the plains of Munda in southern Spain. Another skirmish near Soricaria on March 7 went in Caesar's favor many Romans in the Pompeian camp began planning to defect and Gnaeus Pompeius was forced to abandon his delaying tactics and offer battle. After a short siege, Caesar took the fortified city of Ategua this was an important blow to the Pompeian confidence and morale, and some of the native allies started to desert to Caesar. Under Labienus’ advice, Gnaeus Pompeius decided to avoid an open battle, and Caesar was forced to wage a winter campaign, while procuring food and shelter for his army. Capitalizing on his surprise arrival Caesar was able to relieve the stronghold of Ulipia (a town which had remained loyal to him and had been unsuccessfully besieged by Gnaeus Pompeius) but was unable to take Corduba, which was defended by Sextus Pompeius. Caesar had called for his great-nephew Octavian to join him, but due to his health Octavian was only able to reach him after the conclusion of the campaign. Caesar covered the 1,500 miles (2,400 km) from Rome to Obulco in less than one month, arriving in early December (he immediately wrote a short poem, Iter, describing this journey). He brought two trusted veteran legions ( X Equestris and V Alaudae) and some newer legions (including III Gallica and VI Ferrata), but in the main was forced to rely on the recruits already present in Hispania. Thus, Caesar was forced to move from Rome to Hispania to deal with the Pompeius brothers. Caesar’s generals Quintus Fabius Maximus and Quintus Pedius did not risk a battle and remained encamped at Oculbo, about 35 miles (56 km) east of Corduba, requesting help from Caesar. They took control of almost all Hispania Ulterior, including the important Roman colonies of Italica and Corduba (the capital of the province). These were the two original veteran legions, and one additional legion recruited from Roman citizens and local inhabitants in Hispania. Using the resources of the province they were able to raise an army of three legions. These forces were commanded by the brothers Gnaeus Pompeius and Sextus (sons of Pompey) and by the talented general Titus Labienus, who had been one of the most trusted of Caesar’s generals during the Gallic Wars.
Soon they were joined by the remains of the Pompeian army. During the Spring of 46 BC, two legions in Hispania Ulterior, largely formed by former Pompeian veterans enrolled in Caesar’s army, had declared themselves for Gnaeus Pompeius (son of Pompey the Great) and driven out Caesar’s proconsul.
However, in April 46 BC, Caesar's forces destroyed the Pompeian army at the Battle of Thapsus.Īfter this, military opposition to Caesar was confined to Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula, comprising modern Spain and Portugal). The conservative republicans had initially been led by Pompey, until the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC and Pompey's death soon afterwards.
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