Pharsalia; Dramatic Episodes of the Civil Wars

"Pharsalia" by Lucan retells the bloody Roman civil war through the dynamic conflict between Julius Caesar and Pompey Magnus. With powerful and emotional language, Lucan looks at the ideas of greed, right and wrong, and all the awful things that occur in a country when its people fight each other. The story shows how the once-strong Roman Republic collapsed. The book starts by explaining the events that caused the civil war, focusing on Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon River, which symbolizes the sorrowful troubles ahead. The poem paints a striking picture of the confusion and anger that the war brought to Italy, expressing sadness for the violent end of the Republic. Using thoughtful reflections on human desire and moral decline, the story hints at the terrible results of the war. Caesar's crossing represents a turning point and underlines the personal and political stress that came with this decision.