2However, it is also true that Caesar showed himself merciful as a conqueror; after defeating and capturing the forces of Pompey in Spain, he sent away their commanders, and took the soldiers into his service.86See Caesar, Bell. Civ. I. xli.-lxxxvii. Then he re-crossed the Alps, marched rapidly through Italy, and came to Brundisium shortly after the winter solstice.87Of 49 B.C.