E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Pharsa’lia.
An epic in Latin hexameters by Lucan. The battle of Pharsalia was between Pompey and Cæsar. Pompey had 45,000 legionaries, 7,000 cavalry, and a large number of auxiliaries; Cæsar had 22,000 legionaries and 1,000 cavalry. Pompey’s battle-cry was “Hercules invictus;” that of Cæsar was “Venus victrix.” On this occasion Cæsar won the battle.
