After the hard-fought battle of Munda, the subjugation of Hispania Baetica (Further Spain) kept Caesar busy for several months. He admitted that this time he had fought not for victory but for his life, and then had to confront determined resistance with no prospect of real pacification. The survivors from the defeated army had barricaded themselves in Corduba (Cordoba) and in the city of Munda; ‘cleansing’ those cities of these stubborn fighters, who were ready for anything, entailed considerable losses of men and months of military and political effort. In managing the victory Caesar abstained from his usual clementia, and the victors and their allies vented all their bitterness on the two cities. Land and money were needed. Not even the temple of Heracles at Gades (Cadiz) was spared. Until August, that is, for another five months after the victory at Munda, Caesar had much to do in Spain. Late in September he was at the gates of Rome, but did not enter: he was preparing the triumph, which was celebrated, to widespread bewilderment, at the beginning of October.

To celebrate a triumph over Roman citizens was an unheard-of act.