Final answer:
The statement is false; Julius Caesar defeated Pompey in the civil war. Caesar gained notoriety for his military success and political alliances, like the First Triumvirate, and later Octavian won due to Caesar's loyal veterans, ultimately prevailing at the Battle of Actium.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Pompey won the war between Julius Caesar and himself is false. Julius Caesar emerged victorious after the civil war. The rupture between Caesar and Pompey was significant in the history of Rome, marking the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.
Julius Caesar won popularity among the Roman people for his successful military campaigns in several regions, including Pontus, where he defeated Mithridates. These victories were instrumental in boosting his reputation and power. His adept political maneuvering also played a role, forming the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus to enhance his position.
In the conflict with Pompey, Caesar's bold move of crossing the Rubicon with his army led to a civil war that culminated in the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BCE, where he decisively defeated Pompey's forces. Pompey fled to Egypt but was assassinated upon arrival by orders of Ptolemy XIII. Caesar then aligned himself with Cleopatra VII, solidifying his power further.
After Julius Caesar's assassination, Octavian rose to power. His success in the subsequent civil war was due largely to the support he received from Julius Caesar's veteran soldiers. These troops were fiercely loyal to Caesar's memory and played a crucial role in Octavian's victory. Lastly, the pivotal naval battle in this later conflict was the Battle of Actium, not Pharsalus, where Octavian's forces defeated those of Antony and Cleopatra.