HI346 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Legio V Alaudae, Numidia, Numidians
Document Summary
Battle of ruspina: january 4, 46 bce: caesar and his men were taken by surprise a few miles away from the roman camp , caesarian legionaries could not retaliate against the numidian"s. Caesar"s cavalry fought in vain to prevent being surrounded. Caesars troops faced a charge by the senatorial cavalry and numidian light troops. They pursued their enemy for a short distance and began to march back to camp: caesarian forces managed to reach a low ridge aligning themselves for defence, they held off further pompeiian attacks for a while. The romans were able to spot dust in the distance behind the enemy lines and realized they were receiving reinforcements. Caesarians were surrounded: as dusk approached the threat of skirmishers and light horse became too much for caesar"s men. The strain of the battle took its toll on the new recruits. Large groups of men began to break ranks and head towards camp.
