86 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[PEBIOD I. 



Roman cavalry defeated the hostile horse at the first on- 

 set, and pursued theiti in different directions. Lucullus 

 at once recalled them from the pursuit, to aid him in the 

 action with the remainder of the enemy's forces, and 

 leading a charge in person against the body of royal 

 guards that were around the king, put them instantly to 

 flight, and a complete victory ensued. 





ii 



SECTION V. — CAVALRY UNDER JULIUS CAESAR — BATTLE OF 



PHARSALIA. 



The battle of Pharsalia, B.C. 48, is interesting as illus- 

 trating a certain reaction in the success of the turning 

 movements by cavalry, and showing how Julius Caesar, 

 that consummate master of the art of war, adopted pre- 

 cautions which protected him successfully against the 

 flank attack of an immensely superior force of cavalry, 

 a manoeuvre that during one hundred and fifty years 

 before his time had almost invariably secured the victory 

 t/O the general who skilfully employed it. 



The two armies met on the plain of Pharsalia near the 

 river Enipeus. Pompey drew up his forces with his 

 right resting on the river, having 600 horse only on that 

 flank, his infantry were in the centre of his line, and the 

 remainder of his cavalry, being the great bulk of it, was 

 massed upon his left wing, for the purpose of turning 

 Caesar's right in the action, and throwing him back upon 

 the fiver. His dispositions were skilful, but he should 

 have held a reserve of cavalry in hand, especially as he 

 was so superior in that arm, and as victory generally 

 inclines in cavalry actions, to that side which can bring 

 the last reserves into action.^ 



His army was much more numerous than that of 

 Caesar. He had 7,000 horse, and 45,000 infantry. 

 Caesar had only 1,000 Roman cavalry, and 22,000 in- 

 fantry, but he formed his army with wonderful ability.^ 

 His left rested on the river, and consisted of the eighth 

 and ninth legions under the command of Antony.^ In 



^ Plutarch, Pompey and Ctesar. - Liskenne, ii. 301. ^ Lecomte, 

 150. 



