Battle of Thapsus

The Battle of Thapsus was a military engagement that took place on April 6, 46 BC near Thapsus (in modern Tunisia). The forces of the Optimates, led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Scipio, were defeated by the forces of Julius Caesar. It was followed shortly by the suicides of Scipio and his ally, Cato the Younger, the Numidian King Juba, and his Roman peer Marcus Petreius.

Battle of Thapsus
Part of Caesar's Civil War

Initial troop deployment of the battle
DateApril 6, 46 BC (Julian Calendar)
Location
Thapsus (Tunisia), modern Ras Dimas
35.6244°N 11.0478°E / 35.6244; 11.0478
Result Caesarian victory
Belligerents
Populares Optimates
Numidia
Commanders and leaders
Gaius Julius Caesar Metellus Scipio
Marcus Petreius
Juba I of Numidia
Titus Labienus
Lucius Afranius
Publius Attius Varus (fleet commander)
Vergilius (Garrison commander of Thapsus)
Units involved
  • Legio V (the Fifth legion)
  • Legio VII (the Seventh Legion)
  • Legio VIII (the Eighth Legion)
  • Legio IX (the Ninth legion)
  • Legio X (the Tenth legion)
  • Legio XIII (the Thirteenth legion)
  • Legio XIV (the Fourteenth legion)
  • Legio XXV (the Twenty-fifth legion)
  • Legio XXVI (the Twenty-sixth legion)
  • Legio XXVIII (the Twenty-eighth legion)
  • Legio XXIX (the Twenty-Ninth legion)
  • Legio XXX (the Thirtieth legion)
  • Auxiliary Gallic Cavalry
  • Auxiliary Germanic Cavalry
  • Auxiliary Gaetulian Cavalry
Optimates' Army
Juba's Army
Strength
50,000−70,000 (at least 12 legions), 5,000 cavalry 70,000−90,000 (at least 12 legions), 14,500 cavalry
Juba's allied troops with 60 elephants
Casualties and losses
nearly 1,000 about 10,000
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