Crossing the Rubicon

In January 49 BC, Julius Caesar led a single Roman legion, Legio XIII, south over the Rubicon from Cisalpine Gaul to Italy to make his way to Rome.

It was reported that Caesar dined with Sallust, Hirtius, Oppius, Lucius Balbus and Sulpicus Rufus on the night after his famous crossing into Italy on 10 January.

[6] A dramatic moment in literary narratives, the importance of the anecdote is undermined somewhat by Caesar's forces having already crossed into Italy the previous day.

By the time Caesar himself entered Italy the war had already begun, with his legate, Quintus Hortensius, occupying the Italian town of Ariminum.

Caesar's decision for swift action forced Pompey, the consuls, and a large part of the Roman Senate to flee Rome.