He died in the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, playing a vital role as he led a forlorn hope party of volunteers in the opening attack against Pompey's line from Caesar's right wing.
[2] Appianus reports that after the battle Caesar himself was said to be in Crastinus' debt, tributed him heroic rites and erecting an altar.
[3] Historian Ross Cowan advances the hypothesis that Crastinus offered himself as sacrifice to the Underworld Gods to ensure Caesar victory in a Devotio.
In this rite, a Roman soldier offered to die in battle and pledged his soul to the gods of the underworld to ensure in exchange the destruction of the enemy.
[4] Historian Luciano Canfora likens the figure of Crastinus to that of a political commissar, totally devoted to the Caesarian party to the point of volunteering for a suicide mission.