The Battle of Ruspina was fought on January 4, 46 BC between competing political factions of the late Roman Republic, the Optimates and the Populares. Julius Caesar commanded the Populares, while the Optimates were commanded by Titus Labienus, a former Caesar supporter who defected to the side of Pompey the Great during Caesar's civil war. The Optimates forces greatly outnumbered the Populares, however, Caesar fell back onto high ground and halted Labienus. Caesar lost as much as one-third of the Populares forces. Despite the high casualties, Caesar won a victory against the Optimates forces one month later in the Battle of Thapsus.
Ruspina is located in modern day Tunisia.
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