Zile Tokat Turkey

Cassius had in 48 BCE sailed his ships to Sicily, where he had attacked and burned a large part of Caesar's navy.

He then proceeded to harass ships off the Italian coast.

News of Pompey's defeat at the Battle of Pharsalus had caused Cassius to head for Hellespont, with hopes of allying with the king of Pontus, Pharnaces II.

Caesar, having established Cleopatra as ruler of Egypt, meanwhile marches his army north through Syria into Asia Minor.

Cassius is overtaken by Caesar en route, and is forced to surrender unconditionally.

Caesar makes Cassius a legate, employing him in the war against the very same Pharnaces whom Cassius had hoped to join after Pompey's defeat at Pharsalus. (However, Cassius will refuse to join in the fight against Cato and Scipio in Africa, choosing instead to retire to Rome.)

Caesar’s superior troops, meeting Pharnace II and his army at the Battle of Zela in Pontus in May, 47, easily defeat those of Pharnaces.

Caesar promptly sends a message back to Rome: “Vini, vidi, vici” (“I came, I saw, I conquered”).

Pharnaces, escaping the rout with just a small detachment of cavalry, flees quickly back to the Bosporan kingdom.

Caesar demolishes the mountain strongholds of the Pontic territory and divides the region among minor kings.