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Ruspina January 4, 46 BC
Strategic Context
In 49 BC, civil war fractures the Roman Empire as Julius Caesar and Pompey struggle for control. In 48 BC, Pompey is defeated by Caesar at the Battle of Pharsalus and pursued to Egypt where he is killed by King Ptolemy XIII. Despite Ptolemy’s death, the Pompeians continue to build up forces in North Africa under the command of Metellus Scipio, Titus Labenius, and King Juba of Numidia. After side quests in Egypt and Pontus, Caesar finally returns to Rome, puts down a mutiny in his veteran legions, and lands in North Africa in December 47 BC. With most of his army yet to arrive, Caesar launches a major foraging expedition south to sustain his forces until his fleet arrives with reinforcements and supplies. Labenius’ largely Numidian army is also awaiting reinforcements as the main Pompeian army under Scipio is only a few days away. Labenius surprises Caesar’s small Roman army as it forages, forcing Caesar to quickly form a battle line.
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Stakes
+ A Roman victory would give Caesar time for the rest of his forces to arrive in North Africa and meet Scipio and Labenius in a decisive battle.
+ A Numidian (Pompeian) victory would destroy Caesar’s small army or at least push it away from the sea, ending its chances of being reinforced.
By Jonathan Webb, 2013

2. Ruspina, 46 BC Strength Romans Well Numidians Well Julius Caesar
Titus Labienus
9,000 heavy infantry
20,000 light infantry
150 archers
11,200 cavalry
400 cavalry
By Jonathan Webb, 2013 ©

3. Roman Empire c. 49 BC

4. Numidians (Pompeians)
The battlefield consists of a flat, arid plain with few if any features. The Roman camp is well off-map to the north.
Numidians (Pompeians)
(Labenius)
Romans
(Caesar)

5. Numidians (Pompeians) Numidians (Pompeians)
Caesar’s troops are tiring but dusk is approaching under which cover he plans to extricate his army. Caesar orders every second cohort to turn to its rear and attack to support the cavalry’s attack on each end of the Numidian encirclement. The Roman attack is successful, forcing the Numidians back in confusion.
Caesar launches one last attack with his exhausted cavalry and some infantry to force the Numidians back, wounding Petreius in the process. This last effort allows Caesar to retreat to camp unmolested, the Numidian commanders opting to draw off their forces.
With the Roman army surrounded, there is a lull in the fighting with neither side attacking. The Numidians are content to shower the Romans with missiles, panicking some of Caesar’s less experienced troops, while Caesar can only wait out the Numidian supply of missiles and the cover of dusk. Caesar’s personal presence maintains the morale of his troops for now. It is during this lull in fighting that Labenius is wounded by one of the veteran Roman legionnaires when a javelin fells his horse while taunting the Roman troops.
Caesar quickly forms his army back into columns to retreat back to camp but covers little distance before Petreius and Piso arrive with more Numidian light cavalry to rally the Numidians and harass the Roman rear.
Labenius’ intent is not to envelop and hit the Roman flanks however, but to completely surround the Roman army. As Caesar orders his infantry to not advance past their cohort’s standard, the Numidians surround the small Roman army.
Labenius sends his Numidian light cavalry forward to throw their javelins, then retreat as some Roman infantry break ranks to attack them. The Numidian light infantry then advance to launch their missiles as the unshielded right side of the Roman infantry. Labenius’ German and Gallic cavalry advance as well, pushing back the outnumbered Roman cavalry, which are careful not to be enveloped as per Caesar’s orders.
Labenius deploys his light Numidian troops at the center, infantry and cavalry interspersed; he places his heavier German and Gallic cavalry on the wings. Labenius plans to surround the Roman army, then wear it down with missiles to provoke a panicked rout. Caesar deploys his infantry in a long thin line to try and match the Numidian line; he places his few archers in front of his infantry and his cavalry on the wings. Caesar is surprised by the appearance of the Numidians and plans to hold fast and simply preserve his army.
Numidians (Pompeians)
(Labenius)
Romans Numidians
Infantry Light infantry
Archers Light cavalry
Cavalry Cavalry
Romans
(Julius Caesar)
9,000 heavy infantry
150 archers
400 cavalry
Numidians (Pompeians)
(Titus Labenius)
20,000 light infantry
11,200 cavalry
Symbol guide
Romans
(Caesar)

6. Ruspina, 46 BC Casualties & Aftermath
Romans:
Numidians (Pompeians):
≈400 or 4%
≈1,200 or 4%
Scipio and the main Pompeian army arrived shortly after the battle, harassing and challenging Caesar’s army to battle. Caesar declined each time, maneuvering until his reinforcements arrived, bringing his army up to full strength. Caesar finally gave battle in April 47 BC at Thapsus where he decisively defeated the Pompeians, killing most of its leadership including Scipio, Petreius, Cato and Juba. Labenius escaped to join Pompey’s sons in Spain. Caesar defeated them at the Battle of Munda in 45 BC to end the war, but was assassinated the following year.
By Jonathan Webb, 2013

7. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2013