The Battle of Ascurum was a battle in 46 BC during Caesar’s Civil War which saw the defeat of an Optimate force under Pompey the Younger in battle against the Mauretanians In 51 BC a civil war broke out within the Roman Republic between the supporters of the general Julius Caesar, a prominent Populares, and the supporters of the general Pompey the Great, a prominent Optimate. The Kingdom of Mauretania decided to support Julius Caesar in this struggle, probably because their rivals Numidia supported Pompey. When a pro-Optimate rebellion broke out in Spain, Bogud of Mauretania intervened and helped put down the rebellion.