Vini, Vidi, Vici

I came, I saw, I conquered.
—    Julius Caesar
The full text of a message sent to the Roman senate reporting his victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus at the battle of Zela.
[This “famous” and brief report emphasized the totality of Caesar’s victory and, by defeating numerically superior forces, reminded the senate of his military skills.  What I find interesting is that it is “generally” accepted that to ensure victory, an attacking force should have a 6 to 1 ratio over an enemy in a fixed defensive position.  In this battle, Pharnaces II left a fixed position of his own, to attack a force which was between one half and one quarter his own strength, and he chose to do it attacking up hill into a fortified (albeit not completed) defensive position.  While there was surprise in the initial assault, it ultimately ended in a route and decisive Roman victory.    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2013	Heroes
	Education, n.
2012	Who I Want To Be
2011	Mythic Forgetfulness