Age of Empires Series Wiki
Register
Advertisement

The Battle of Pharsalus (named Caesar vs Pompey in the original) is the fourth and final scenario of the Ave Caesar campaign in Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome. It depicts the eponymous battle during the civil war.

Scenario instructions[]

Description[]

Pharsalus, 48 BCE

As expected, your bold move to cross the Rubicon into Italy has prompted a rebellion under the leadership of Pompey. The Republic has been hollowed out by civil wars and weak politicians, and so it is time for a strong man like yourself to bring Rome to its next phase. First, we must deal with the rebels. Pompey has fled to Greece after your quick successes in Italy. Having solidified your control in Rome and neutralized other Pompeian forces in Hispania, you have set sail to Greece to finish off Pompey. Your two armies will meet near the small city of Pharsalus to decide who will become the true ruler of Rome.
—In-game section

48 BC

You are locked in a struggle with Pompey, the very successful consul from the East, to be the ruler of Rome. Pompey has fled to Greece where he has great support. Having solidified your control in Rome and neutralized other Pompeiian forces, you march to Greece to finish Pompey. The two armies meet near the small city of Pharsalus to decide who will become the true ruler of Rome.
—In-game section

Starting conditions[]

Objective[]

  • Destroy the forces of Pompey.
  • If Caesar dies, the mission will be lost.

  • Destroy the forces of Pompey. If Caesar dies, the mission will be lost.

  • Hints[]

    1. Because supplies are extremely limited at the initial base camp, exploration is key.
    2. Avoid provoking the enemy for as long as possible to give you more time to establish your defense.
    3. Concentrate on Pompey; Metellus Scipio will submit once Pompey is destroyed.

    • Because supplies are extremely limited at the initial base camp, exploration is key.
    • Avoid provoking the enemy as long as possible to give you more time to establish your defense.
    • Concentrate on Pompey; Pharsalus will submit once Pompey is destroyed.

    Players[]

    Player[]

    • Player (Roman AOE DE ROR icon Romans): The player starts with a small army and some villagers near the eastern corner of the map. The road ahead of the player leads straight into Scipio's base (Afranius' base before the Definitive Edition).

    Enemies[]

    • Metellus Scipio (Afranius before the Definitive Edition) (Roman AOE DE ROR icon Romans): His base is located in the southern corner of the map, contains a dock, is heavily fortified and controls significantly more resources than the player.
    • Pompey (Roman AOE DE ROR icon Romans): Pomey's base is located along the north-western edge of the map, is heavily fortified and controls significantly more resources than the player.

    Strategy[]

    In this scenario, it pays to be aggressive. Claim any gold mines you can, and destroy enemy military buildings before they can replenish their forces. Finish off Sicipio (Afranius before the Definitive Edition) before attempting to siege Pompey.

    They both rely on their siege units, but Scythe Chariots are quite cheap and strong enough for these purposes. Save the gold for Catapults and Helepolises.

    If you find yourself lacking gold, then leave their Docks intact - trading is a reliable source of gold.

    A quicker strategy is to ignore Sicipio (Afranius before the Definitive Edition), build a Dock and create a Transport Ship to cross the river to Pompey's base. Caesar is strong and fast enough to subdue Pompey's starting units and unit-producing buildings. Just keep him away from the Sentry Towers.

    Once Pompey is out of resources and no longer produces units from their base, take your time to build up a siege force to take down their remaining buildings in order to defeat him.

    History[]

    Historical notes[]

    When Crassus died in battle against the Parthians in 53 BCE, the triumvirate between the three most powerful men in Rome came to an end. Crassus, as the most wealthy and influential of the three, had always kept Caesar and Pompey in check, but with his death the two were left to compete for the control of Rome. It was understood that in the end only one of the two could stay in power as both men were unwilling to stand down.

    Fearing Pompey and Caesar's unchecked power, senators in Rome demanded that both men hand over their armies and provinces to the republic. Pompey, who was in Rome, seemingly complied, promising to do so if Caesar did the same, but knowing well enough that his opponent would never comply. Thus, he managed to gain the support of the Senate. Caesar, who was just getting the news of the events unfolding in Rome, arrived on the borders of Italy with a very small force. Both the Senate and Pompey did not expect him to march on Rome since he had left most of his legions in Gaul, but they underestimated Caesar and the loyalty of his soldiers. Caesar, who was left no other choice than to either invade Italy or to be stripped of all his legions and provinces, crossed the Rubicon, famously saying "iacta alea est," meaning "the die is cast." The senate hastily gathered an army of Italian veterans, but Caesar's quick and unexpected advances took his opponents by surprise. Rome's elite fled the city and Pompey was unable to gather enough men to resist Caesar due to the popularity of the latter in Italy. And so, Pompey was also forced to flee Italy for Greece, where he had more influence and power.

    The senators who had remained in Rome hailed Caesar as the defender of Rome and made him dictator, the virtual monarch of Rome. After consolidating control of Italy and dealing with the allies of Pompey in Iberia, Caesar followed Pompey to Greece to deal with his rival.

    Caesar landed in Greece. Outnumbered by Pompey's army, he almost experienced a crushing defeat at the Battle of Dyrrachium in 48 BCE. Pompey suspected an ambush and did not pursue him, however, giving Caesar a chance to regroup. Then, at Pharsalus, Caesar finally managed to defeat Pompey decisively and make him again flee east, where some time later he was murdered by the Egyptian Pharaoh Ptolemy XII. However, the civil war did not end there, and hostilities continued for several years until Caesar was finally able to put all his opponents down. On March 15, 44 BCE, Caesar was assassinated in the Senate by conspirators that included politicians alarmed by the end of the Republic, former allies of Pompey, and disgruntled friends of Caesar himself.
    —In-game section

    Victory[]

    Your decisive victory over Pompey solidifies your position as ruler of Rome. The entire Senate is forced to confirm you. You are remembered as the greatest of the Romans. Future emperors of Rome, Russia, and Germany will be called Caesar, Tsar, and Kaiser after you.
    —In-game section

    Loss[]

    Your loss to Pompey elevates him officially to the post of dictator of Rome. You must flee and can only hope to find sanctuary in some forgotten corner of the world where you can live out your days dreaming of what might have been. Future emperors of Rome and a sauce for lettuces will be called Pompey, not Caesar.
    —In-game section

    Historical notes[]

    Following the death of Crassus, Pompey and Caesar were left as rivals for the control of Rome. Both had supporters in the army and Senate. It was understood that one man would become dictator and that the republic would cease to exist.

    Pompey had himself illegally appointed as sole consul and attempted to strip Caesar of power. Caesar crossed the Rubicon River at the head of his troops in defiance of the Senate to contest this grab for power. Pompey fled to Greece with the part of the Senate that favored him. The remainder of the Senate made Caesar dictator, the virtual monarch of Rome. After consolidating control of Italy and dealing with the allies of Pompey leading rebellion in Iberia, Caesar followed Pompey to Greece to decide their fates.

    Caesar defeated Pompey at Pharsalus in Greece in 48 BC. The provinces in Greece and Asia previously allied with Pompey switched allegiance to Caesar. Egypt and Pontus submitted by 47 BC, North Africa by 46 BC, and Spain by 45 BC, all after military action. On March 15, 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated in the Senate by conspirators that included democrats alarmed by the end of the republic, former allies of Pompey, and disgruntled friends of Caesar himself.
    —In-game section

    Victory[]

    Your decisive victory over Pompey solidifies your position as ruler of Rome. The entire Senate is forced to confirm you. You are remembered as the greatest of the Romans. Future emperors of Rome, Russia, and Germany will be called Caesar, Tsar, and Kaiser after you.
    —In-game section

    Loss[]

    Your loss to Pompey elevates him officially to the post of dictator of Rome. You must flee and can only hope to find sanctuary in some forgotten corner of the world where you can live out your days dreaming of what might have been. Future emperors of Rome are called Pompey, not Caesar.
    —In-game section
    Campaigns in Age of Empires
    ReturnRome-AoEIcon Age of Empires
    AoE Ascent of Egypt icon Ascent of EgyptHunting · Foraging  · Exploration · Dawn of a New Age · Skirmish · Farming · Trade · Religion · River Outpost · Naval Battle · A Wonder of the World · Siege in Canaan
    NuRoR hoplite idle Glory of GreeceLand Grab (Claiming Territory) · Citadel (Acropolis) · Ionian Expansion (The Conquest of Crete) · The Trojan War · I'll Be Back (Colonization of Ionia) · The Siege of Athens · Xenophon's March · Wonder (Alexander the Great)
    NuRoR priest idle Voices of BabylonThe Holy Man · The Tigris Valley · Lost (Vengeance) · I Shall Return · The Great Hunt  · The Caravan · Lord of the Euphrates · Nineveh (The Conquest of Nineveh)
    Yamato, Empire of
    the Rising Sun
    The Assassins · Island Hopping · Capture (Definitive Edition) · Mountain Temple (The Mountain Temple) · The Canyon of Death · Oppression (Coup) · A Friend in Need (Jinshin War) · Kyushu Revolts (Fujiwara Revolts)
    RomeIcon Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome
    The Rise of RomeThe Birth of Rome · Pyrrhus of Epirus · Syracuse (The Siege of Syracuse) · Metaurus (The Battle of the Metaurus) · Zama (The Battle of Zama) · Mithridates
    Ave CaesarCaesar vs Pirates (Caesar's Revenge) · Britain (The Invasion of Britain) · Alesia (The Siege of Alesia) · Caesar vs Pompey (The Battle of Pharsalus)
    Pax Romana
    (Imperium Romanum)
    Actium (The Battle of Actium) · Year of the Four Emperors (The Year of the Four Emperors) · Ctesiphon (Ransom at Ctesiphon) · Queen Zenobia (Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra) · Coming of the Huns (The Coming of the Huns)
    Enemies of RomeCrossing the Alps · Third Greek War (Third Macedonian War) · Spartacus (The Revolt of Spartacus) · Odenathus vs Persians (Odaenathus, Lord of Palmyra)
    Age of Empires Definitive Edition icon Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
    Reign of the HittitesDemo: Homelands  · Growing Pains  · Opening Moves  · Fall of the Mitanni  · Battle of Kadesh
    DE: Opening Moves  · Raid on Babylon  · The Battle of Kadesh
    AoE The First Punic War icon The First Punic WarStruggle for Sicily (The Battle of Agrigentum) · Battle of Mylae · Battle of Tunis
    AoE2Icon-ReturnRome Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Return of Rome
    RoR Trajan TrajanLegates and Legions · Roman Repute · Heads Will Roll · An Old Enemy · Blood in the Water
    RoR Pyrrhus of Epirus Pyrrhus of EpirusA Second Alexander · The Many Kings of Macedon · Pyrrhic Victories · Savior of the Greeks · Sisyphus
    RoR Sargon of Akkad Sargon of AkkadThe Chosen One · Divine Will · The Prophecy · The Land of Kings · Subartu
    Demo versions
    Dawn of CivilizationDawn of a New Age  · Skirmish · Crusade · The Wreck of the Hyskos  · Last Stand
    Bronze Age Art of War
    Names in brackets represent campaigns and scenarios renamed and/or reworked in the Definitive Edition.

    Changelog[]

    The Rise of Rome[]

    • Player 2 (Red) is named Afranius.
    • The location of Pompey's starting Town Center is revealed at the start.

    Definitive Edition[]

    • Player 2 (Red) is named Metellus Scipio.
    • The location of Pompey's starting Town Center is not known at the start and needs to be explored by the player.
    Campaigns in Age of Empires
    ReturnRome-AoEIcon Age of Empires
    AoE Ascent of Egypt icon Ascent of EgyptHunting · Foraging  · Exploration · Dawn of a New Age · Skirmish · Farming · Trade · Religion · River Outpost · Naval Battle · A Wonder of the World · Siege in Canaan
    NuRoR hoplite idle Glory of GreeceLand Grab (Claiming Territory) · Citadel (Acropolis) · Ionian Expansion (The Conquest of Crete) · The Trojan War · I'll Be Back (Colonization of Ionia) · The Siege of Athens · Xenophon's March · Wonder (Alexander the Great)
    NuRoR priest idle Voices of BabylonThe Holy Man · The Tigris Valley · Lost (Vengeance) · I Shall Return · The Great Hunt  · The Caravan · Lord of the Euphrates · Nineveh (The Conquest of Nineveh)
    Yamato, Empire of
    the Rising Sun
    The Assassins · Island Hopping · Capture (Definitive Edition) · Mountain Temple (The Mountain Temple) · The Canyon of Death · Oppression (Coup) · A Friend in Need (Jinshin War) · Kyushu Revolts (Fujiwara Revolts)
    RomeIcon Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome
    The Rise of RomeThe Birth of Rome · Pyrrhus of Epirus · Syracuse (The Siege of Syracuse) · Metaurus (The Battle of the Metaurus) · Zama (The Battle of Zama) · Mithridates
    Ave CaesarCaesar vs Pirates (Caesar's Revenge) · Britain (The Invasion of Britain) · Alesia (The Siege of Alesia) · Caesar vs Pompey (The Battle of Pharsalus)
    Pax Romana
    (Imperium Romanum)
    Actium (The Battle of Actium) · Year of the Four Emperors (The Year of the Four Emperors) · Ctesiphon (Ransom at Ctesiphon) · Queen Zenobia (Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra) · Coming of the Huns (The Coming of the Huns)
    Enemies of RomeCrossing the Alps · Third Greek War (Third Macedonian War) · Spartacus (The Revolt of Spartacus) · Odenathus vs Persians (Odaenathus, Lord of Palmyra)
    Age of Empires Definitive Edition icon Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
    Reign of the HittitesDemo: Homelands  · Growing Pains  · Opening Moves  · Fall of the Mitanni  · Battle of Kadesh
    DE: Opening Moves  · Raid on Babylon  · The Battle of Kadesh
    AoE The First Punic War icon The First Punic WarStruggle for Sicily (The Battle of Agrigentum) · Battle of Mylae · Battle of Tunis
    AoE2Icon-ReturnRome Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Return of Rome
    RoR Trajan TrajanLegates and Legions · Roman Repute · Heads Will Roll · An Old Enemy · Blood in the Water
    RoR Pyrrhus of Epirus Pyrrhus of EpirusA Second Alexander · The Many Kings of Macedon · Pyrrhic Victories · Savior of the Greeks · Sisyphus
    RoR Sargon of Akkad Sargon of AkkadThe Chosen One · Divine Will · The Prophecy · The Land of Kings · Subartu
    Demo versions
    Dawn of CivilizationDawn of a New Age  · Skirmish · Crusade · The Wreck of the Hyskos  · Last Stand
    Bronze Age Art of War
    Names in brackets represent campaigns and scenarios renamed and/or reworked in the Definitive Edition.
    Advertisement