THAPSUS, BATTLE OF

(Feb. 6, 46 BC), in ancient Roman history, battle during the civil war between the Caesarians and the Pompeians (4946 BC). It was the final blow delivered by Julius Caesar's forces against the supporters of Pompey the Great. Thapsus was a North African seaport about 5 miles (8 km) east of present-day Teboulba, Tunisia. Quintus Metellus Scipio, Pompey's father-in-law, intending to relieve Caesar's siege of Thapsus, drew up his 14 legions and 15,000 cavalry on the corridor of land that formed the northern approach to the city. Caesar's officers could not restrain their own forces, who surged forward and overwhelmed the enemy and, completely out of control, slaughtered about 10,000 of them. Within three weeks of his victory Caesar had conquered Roman Africa.