Battle of Ruspina

Battle of Ruspina
Part of Caesar's civil war
Date January 4, 46 BC Location Ruspina, modern Tunisia Result Caesarian victory
Belligerents
Populares	Optimates
Commanders and leaders
Gaius Julius Caesar	Titus Labienus
Strength
15,000 Roman legionaries, 400 Gallic cavalry, 150 Creten archers	8,000 Numidian cavalry, 1,600 Gallic cavalry, 22,000 Numidian light infantry
Casualties and losses
6,000	2,000

The Battle of Ruspina was fought on January 4, 46 BC in the Roman Province of Africa, between the Republican forces of the Optimates and forces loyal to Julius Caesar. The Republican army was commanded by Titus Labienus, Caesar's former supporter who had defected to the Republican side at the beginning of the civil war.

The battle

As Labienus's force significantly outnumbered Caesar's, Caesar fell back onto high ground, drawing Labienus into land of his choosing. The battle was a bloody affair, with Caesar losing as much as one-third of his forces, but eventually achieving victory. Caesar would again face Optimate forces three months later in the Battle of Thapsus.

Ruspina is located in modern day Tunisia.