Why did Caesar's Civil War break out?

Caesar's Civil War was a major conflict fought between 49 and 45 BC led by Julius Caesar and Pompey. The war erupted due to escalating political tensions when the Roman Senate demanded Caesar relinquish his military command upon completing his term in Gaul. Caesar refused, famously crossing the Rubicon into Italy, which ultimately shattered the Roman Republic and paved the way for the Roman Empire.

What we know

• The main cause of the civil war was political tension surrounding Caesar's expected return to Rome and the expiration of his governorship in Gaul. [2]
• In early 49 BC, Pompey and his allies induced the Senate to demand that Caesar give up his provinces and armies, which Caesar refused. [2]
• Caesar openly defied the Senate by crossing the Rubicon and marching toward Rome at the head of his army in January 49 BC. [3]
• The war was fought across multiple regions, including Italy, Illyria, Greece, Egypt, Africa, and Hispania. [2]

Where to go next

• what caused itWhat led Pompey and Caesar to become bitter rivals?
• what followedHow did Caesar's victory lead to the Roman Empire?
• how it workedHow did Julius Caesar cross the Rubicon?
• how we knowWhat did contemporary accounts reveal about the war?
• the bigger pictureWhat was the late Roman Republic?
• an unexpected connectionHow did Caesar's defeat of Pompey connect to modern calendar systems?After winning supreme power through the civil war, Caesar instituted sweeping domestic reforms that included creating the Julian calendar.

Sources

• [1]Caesar's Civil War (Wikidata Q1238338) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Caesar's civil war · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Julius Caesar · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Assassination of Julius Caesar · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Caesar's invasion of Macedonia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Your path

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