Cleopatra: Part 11
Securing the Island
Following his naval victory, Caesar turned his attention to Pharos Island, home to the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria. The island was crucial to controlling access to Alexandria’s harbours and was connected to the mainland by the Heptastadion, a causeway linking the city to the island.
Recognising its strategic importance, Caesar launched an amphibious assault. He personally led ten cohorts of legionaries, supported by light infantry and Gallic cavalry, while the Roman garrison already stationed on part of the island attacked simultaneously. After fierce fighting, the Alexandrians withdrew, allowing Caesar to secure Pharos.
The Struggle for the Bridge
Although Caesar controlled the island, the battle was far from over. A bridge connecting Pharos to the mainland remained in Alexandrian hands. Through a large arch beneath the bridge, Egyptian vessels could still threaten Roman shipping and transports.
Determined to eliminate this danger, Caesar sent ships equipped with archers and artillery to clear the area before landing three cohorts on the bridge itself. Roman soldiers began constructing defensive works while men from Pharos carried stones to block the archway below.
However, the Alexandrians reacted quickly.
Counterattack and Chaos
The Egyptian forces launched a coordinated attack by land and sea. At first, Caesar’s captains took the initiative by landing archers and slingers to repel enemy ships. Nevertheless, the Alexandrians landed troops behind them and struck from the rear.
Caught between attacks from two directions, the Roman light troops struggled against heavily armed Egyptian soldiers. Consequently, Caesar found his position becoming increasingly untenable and ordered a withdrawal to the waiting transports.
What followed became one of the most famous episodes of Caesar’s military career.
Caesar’s Swim to Safety
As Roman troops rushed back to their vessels, panic spread. One transport became overloaded and began to sink beneath the weight of desperate soldiers.
Forced into the water, Caesar removed his armour and swam for safety. According to ancient accounts, he kept important documents held above the water with one hand while making his way to shore.
Whether every detail of the story is true or not, the image of Caesar swimming through the harbour while preserving vital documents has endured for more than two thousand years.
A Costly Reverse
The battle ended as a tactical setback for Caesar. Although he retained control of Pharos Island, the bridge remained in Alexandrian hands.
The Romans lost approximately 800 men, including both legionaries and sailors. Despite these losses, morale remained surprisingly strong. Caesar’s forces continued to repel enemy attacks and maintain their hold on the Royal Quarter while awaiting further reinforcements.
Legend and Legacy
The Battle for Pharos stands as one of the most dramatic moments of the Siege of Alexandria. Beyond its military significance, it produced one of antiquity’s most enduring images: Julius Caesar, stripped of his armour, swimming to safety while holding his papers above the waves.
For that reason alone, the battle has captured the imagination of historians and novelists alike for centuries.
Further Reading
Readers interested in learning more about Cleopatra VII, the Ptolemaic dynasty, and the Roman figures who shaped her world may find the following references useful.
Historical References
- Julius Caesar, De Bello Alexandrino (The Alexandrian War)
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Caesar/Alexandrian_War/home.html - Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book 42
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/42*.html - Plutarch, Life of Caesar
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Caesar*.html - Appian, The Civil Wars
Livius.org Translation - Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars (The Life of Julius Caesar)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6400/6400-h/6400-h.htm
Recommended Non-Fiction Books
- Adrian Goldsworthy, Caesar: Life of a Colossus
- Stacy Schiff, Cleopatra: A Life
- Duane W. Roller, Cleopatra: A Biography
- Michael Grant, Cleopatra
- Barry Strauss, The Death of Caesar
- Philip Freeman, Julius Caesar
Recommended Historical Fiction
- Colleen McCullough, The October Horse
- Margaret George, The Memoirs of Cleopatra
- Stephanie Dray, Lily of the Nile
- Michelle Moran, Cleopatra’s Daughter
- Conn Iggulden, Emperor: The Gods of War
- Allan Massie, Caesar