But on the mere rumour of Caesar's arrival the most notable towns of the province which had been for long attached to Caesar declared for the latter and drove away the Pompeian garrisons or induced them to a similar revolt; such was the case with Corduba, Carmo, and Gades itself.
One of the legions also set out of its own accord for Hispalis, and passed over along with this town to Caesar's side.

When at length even Italica closed its gates against Varro, the latter resolved to capitulate.
Siege of Massilia About the same time Massilia also submitted.

With rare energy the Massiliots had not merely sustained a siege, but had also kept the sea against Caesar; it was their native element, and they might hope to obtain vigorous support on it from Pompeius, who in fact had the exclusive command of it.

But Caesar's lieutenant, the able Decimus Brutus, the same who had achieved the first naval victory in the Atlantic over the Veneti,( 19) managed rapidly to equip a fleet; and in spite of the brave resistance of the enemy's crews-- consisting partly of Albioecian mercenaries of the Massiliots, partly of slave-herdsmen of Domitius--he vanquished by means of his brave marines selected from the legions the stronger Massiliot fleet, and sank or captured the greater part of their ships.

When therefore a small Pompeian squadron under Lucius Nasidius arrived from the east by way of Sicily and Sardinia in the port of Massilia, the Massiliots once more renewed their naval armament and sailed forth along with the ships of Nasidius against Brutus.