Siege of Massilia

Siege of Massilia

The Siege and naval Battle of Massilia was an episode of Caesar's civil war, fought in 49 BC.

Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus had become proconsul of Gaul and sent to gain control of Massilia (modern Marseille). As Caesar marched to Spain (en route to the Battle of Ilerda), the Massiliots closed their gates to him. Roused by their hostile actions, he commenced a siege against Massilia. He also placed Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus in charge of his fleet there. [Julius Caesar, "Commentarii de Bello Civili" ]

In late June, Caesar's ships, which were less skillfully built than those of the Massiliots and outnumbered, were defeated in a naval battle. [Caesar, "Commentarii de Bello Civili" ]

Gaius Trebonius, Caesar's legatus, conducted the siege using a variety of siege machines including siege towers, a siege-ramp, and a "testudo". [Caesar, "Commentarii de Bello Civili" ] .

Gaius Scribonius Curio, careless in adequately guarding the Sicilian Straits, allowed Lucius Nasidius to bring more ships to the aid of Ahenobarbus. He fought a second naval battle with Decimus Brutus, but withdrew defeated and sailed for Spain. [Caesar, "Commentarii de Bello Civili" ]

The Massiliots valiantly defended against the siege machines and works. They threw down burning pitch and pine-shavings and the Caesarians undermined the foundations of their city walls. At one point they seemed likely to surrender and declare a truce, but at night they cunningly destroyed the siege works in a gross violation of the treaty. They were then near surrender. [Caesar, "Commentarii de Bello Civili" ]

At the final surrender of Massilia, Caesar showed his usual leniency. [Caesar, "Commentarii de Bello Civili" ]

Trivia

*The siege is the setting for "Last Seen in Massilia" in the Roma Sub Rosa detective series by Steven Saylor.

References


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