The Western World and Rome 267 territory of Rome, and we should not forget that his conquests brought Latin into France, as the ancestor from which French speech has descended. In the midst of these great operations Caesar nevertheless found time to write the story of his con- quest of Gaul. The tale is narrated with the most unpretentious simplicity, but it was intended to convey to the Roman people an indelible impression of the services which they owed to their governor in Gaul. It did not fail of its purpose. When Caesar's term as governor of Gaul expired and the Caesar leads , . .... his army into Senatorial party prevented his reelection as consul, the victori- italy (49B.C.) ous general was at no loss what to do. The veterans of his Gallic campaigns were devoted to him, and they followed him into Italy without hesitation. There was no army south of the Alps capable of meeting them in battle. Pompey, the other leading commander of the time, Dnce a political colleague of Caesar and enemy of the Senate, had now adopted the cause of the Senatorial party. Crossing to Greece with his army, in Caesar de- , . 1 . 1 11 . feats Pompey order to gain time and to give his troops the needed organiza- at Pharsalus tion, Pompey was at length confronted by Caesar at Pharsalus ^^S b.c.) in Thessaly. Roman again met Roman, but the seasoned veterans of the Gallic wars, led by the greatest commander of the age, inevitably drove their countrymen from the field. From this day (Aug. 9, 48 B.C.) the Roman Republic was doomed, and the rule of a military leader was inevitable. Pompey, fleeing to Egypt, was murdered there. The beautiful Caesar makes Cleopatra, the last of the Ptolemies (p. 230), found that her the Medi- charms ^nd the political advantages of her friendship met a t^^^^"^^" ready response on the part of the victorious Caesar as he dis- embarked and entered the oldest seat of civilization on the Mediterranean. In a single battle he gained Asia Minor and then turned his attention to the far west. The subjugation of the African province behind Carthage and serious opposition in Spain formed the only obstacles to Caesar's complete control of 'the empire of the world. These troubles were all disposed of by March, 45 B.C.
