WI Stalemate at Pharsalus

[Drunk Gracchus]

I've seen some discussions regarding Pompey's victory at Pharsalus, but what about a draw? What if either side gained any kind of victory? What do Caesar and Pompey do then? Does Caesar attempt to withdraw from Greece, or does he try to goad Pompey into another battle? Is there any room for a negotiated peace between the two factions?

 

[m0585]

Depends on the totality of victory. If per OTL, then no.

 

[Anaxagoras]

Stalemate at Pharsalus is the same as Caesar losing.

 

[Drunk Gracchus]

Depends on the totality of victory. If per OTL, then no.

Sorry if I wasn't clear, I meant a scenario where the results of the battle are "indecisive".

 

[Drunk Gracchus]

Stalemate at Pharsalus is the same as Caesar losing.

Couldn't he possibly withdraw to Italy or negotiate some kind of settlement with Pompey?

 

[Anaxagoras]

Couldn't he possibly withdraw to Italy or negotiate some kind of settlement with Pompey?

Caesar could not withdraw to Italy, because he was cut off from the coast and Pompey's fleet controlled the seas. He was outnumbered and running out of supplies. Pompey was not in any position to have to fight if he didn't want to and would have preferred to simply avoid battle and wait for Caesar's army to disintegrate. Pompey only fought at Pharsalus because the senators with him pushed him into doing it. If a battle is fought and is a stalemate, it just accelerates the trend that already existed, which means the ruin and probably death of Caesar.