before Pompey knew of his movements.

The great general was now ready for action. He built a line of
strongly fortified forts around Pompey's camp, blockading him by land.
He turned the streams of water aside, causing as much inconvenience as
possible to the enemy. So the siege dragged on into June.

Two deserters informed Pompey of a weak spot in Caesar's line. At this
point Pompey made a sudden attack. For once Caesar's troops were
surprised and panic-stricken. Even his own presence did not cause them
to rally. Nearly one thousand of his men fell, thirty-two standards,
and a few hundred soldiers were captured.

This victory was the ruin of Pompey's cause. Its importance was
exaggerated. His followers were sure that the war was practically
over; and so certain were they of ultimate success that they neglected
to follow up the advantage gained, and gave Caesar opportunity to
recover from the blow.

The latter now retired from the sea-board into Thessaly. Pompey
followed, confident of victory. The nobles in his camp amused
themselves with quarrelling about the expected spoils of war. Cato and
Cicero remained behind in Epirus, the former disgusted at the actions
of the degenerate nobility, the latter pleading ill health.

The two armies encamped on a plain in Thessaly near the river Enipeus,
only four miles apart. Between them lay a low hill called PHARSÁLUS,
which gave name to the battle which followed.

"The battle of PHARSALIA (August 9, 48) has acquired a special place