Pompey

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known in English as Pompey or Pompey the Great, was a Roman general and statesman who lived from 106 BC to 48 BC. He became famous during the last years of the Roman Republic. As a young man, he supported the dictator Sulla and quickly rose to prominence in the military.

Pompey had a very successful career, even becoming consul three times without following the usual steps for political advancement. He led armies in many wars, including the Sertorian War, the Third Servile War, and the Third Mithridatic War. Because of his early success, Sulla gave him the nickname “Magnus,” meaning “the Great,” after his childhood hero Alexander the Great.

Later in life, Pompey joined forces with Crassus and Caesar in an alliance called the First Triumvirate. After the deaths of Crassus and Pompey’s wife, Julia, who was Caesar’s daughter, Pompey and Caesar became rivals. This rivalry led to a civil war. Pompey was defeated at the Battle of Pharsalus and fled to Ptolemaic Egypt, where he was unfortunately killed by local leaders.

Early life and career

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as Pompey, was born on 29 September 106 BC in Picenum. He was the son of Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo, a noble who became a consul in Rome. Pompey started his career serving with his father in the Social War (91–87 BC).

After his father's death in 87 BC, Pompey faced legal troubles but was acquitted. During this time, political struggles led to civil wars, with leaders like Sulla fighting for control of the Roman army and the Roman Senate.

Pompey during Sulla's civil war

Main article: Sulla's civil war

Pompey played an important role during Sulla's civil war. He raised a full legion from his father's old supporters in Picenum and joined Sulla's forces. Pompey helped defeat several enemy armies and was welcomed by Sulla as a victorious general.

Later, Pompey helped another of Sulla's commanders, Metellus, fight against enemy forces in Cisalpine Gaul. Together they won several battles. Pompey also led cavalry units and helped block enemy attempts to reach Praeneste. By the end of the conflict, Sulla had taken control of Italy and became dictator.

Sicily, Africa and Lepidus' rebellion

Pompey landed in Sicily with a large force, causing his opponent Marcus Perperna to abandon the island. He then sailed to Africa, where he defeated and killed Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus at the Battle of Utica. Pompey also subdued Numidia and executed its king, Hiarbas, before restoring Hiempsal to the Numidian throne. Around this time, his troops began calling him Magnus, or "the Great," after Alexander the Great.

Later, Pompey supported Marcus Aemilius Lepidus as consul. After Sulla died, Lepidus tried to change some of Sulla’s laws and was ordered back to Rome. When he refused, he gathered an army and marched toward Rome. Pompey was given a military command and raised troops to oppose him. He besieged Mutina, which was held by Lepidus’ ally Marcus Junius Brutus. After a long siege, Brutus surrendered and was later assassinated. Pompey then caught up with Lepidus near Cosa, forcing him to retreat to Sardinia, where Lepidus eventually died.

Sertorian War

Main article: Sertorian War

The Sertorian War started in 80 BC when Quintus Sertorius, a Roman general, began a rebellion in the region of Hispania. He was supported by local Iberian tribes and took control of parts of Spain. Pompey was given command to stop the rebellion, even though he did not yet hold a public office.

Pompey gathered a large army and moved into Hispania. Though he faced many challenges and defeats, including a tough battle where he lost many soldiers, he continued to fight. Over time, internal problems within Sertorius' group led to his assassination. Pompey then defeated the remaining rebels, ending the war and bringing stability to the area.

First consulship

Pompey returned to Italy near the end of the slave rebellion led by Spartacus, known as the Third Servile War. He arrived just after another Roman leader, Marcus Licinius Crassus, had defeated the main group of rebels. Pompey then defeated some rebels who had escaped, and he claimed this ended the war.

Despite being too young for the position, Pompey was made consul, or leader, in 70 BC with the help of special approval from the Senate. He served alongside Crassus, but they did not agree on many things during their time in office. However, during their term, they helped restore some powers to the plebeian tribunes, including the right to stop Senate decisions.

Campaign against the pirates

Pirates were a big problem in the Mediterranean Sea, sometimes working with Rome's enemies. They had grown stronger over many years because older sea powers like Rhodes had weakened, and past efforts to stop them had failed. In 68 BC, pirates even reached Ostia, Rome's port, and took two important senators hostage, which made many people very angry.

Pompey was given special powers to deal with the pirates. He organized his forces across the whole Mediterranean to trap them. Within just 40 days, he secured the western part of the sea and then moved east toward their base in Cilicia. His forces quickly won a key battle and ended the pirate threat in only three months. Many pirates gave up without fighting because they trusted Pompey to be fair. Those who surrendered were given new homes in places like Soli, which was renamed Pompeiopolis, and other towns.

Third Mithridatic War and re-organisation of the east

Third Mithridatic War

Main article: Third Mithridatic War

In 73 BC, Lucius Licinius Lucullus became the leader of the Third Mithridatic War after serving under Sulla. He faced Mithridates VI of Pontus and Tigranes the Great of Armenia, who had invaded lands left to Rome. Though Lucullus won many battles, some thought he was prolonging the war for his own gain.

In 66 BC, Pompey was given control of the war. He formed an alliance with Phraates III, king of Parthia, to invade Armenia. Pompey defeated Mithridates at Lycus near the end of 66 BC. Mithridates fled, but was later killed by his own son.

Re-organisation of the East

After the war, Pompey reorganised many areas. He annexed Syria in 64 BC, creating a new Roman province. He also settled disputes in Judea, supporting Hyrcanus II and turning the region into a client kingdom under Roman influence.

Pompey also reorganised areas like Bithynia and Pontus, restoring rulers such as Ariobarzanes I of Cappadocia, and adjusting borders to strengthen Roman control and increase its wealth.

Return to Rome and the First Triumvirate

Pompey returned to Rome in 62 BC after his military campaigns. Crowds welcomed him everywhere, showing his popularity despite disagreements in the Senate. He celebrated a third triumph on his 45th birthday in 61 BC and claimed that his new provinces in the East increased the state’s income significantly.

When Julius Caesar sought support for the consulship in 59 BC, Pompey allied with him and Crassus, forming the First Triumvirate. This informal alliance helped pass important laws. Caesar became a key figure, using his position to support Pompey and Crassus. Despite opposition from some senators, the triumvirate managed to pass new laws and secure important provinces for its members.

From confrontation to civil war

In 54 BC, important events unfolded in Rome and beyond. Pompey's wife Julia passed away, and there were major changes in leadership. In 52 BC, Pompey was made the sole ruler of Rome, a rare and important role.

As ruler, Pompey helped create new laws that made it difficult for his friend Caesar to protect himself from legal troubles. This created tension between them. When Caesar refused to give up his military power, it led to disagreement in Rome. Eventually, this tension turned into a big conflict known as civil war. Caesar crossed a river called the Rubicon, marking the start of the war.

The Road to Pharsalus

Main article: Caesar's civil war

When civil war began, Caesar had few soldiers and no navy, while Pompey had the full power of Rome's government and many allies. However, Pompey's position was not as strong as it seemed. He had to follow the will of Rome's senators, who often disagreed or distrusted him. His plans needed approval, and his advice was sometimes ignored.

Caesar moved quickly, surprising Pompey and taking control of Rome with little fight. Pompey escaped to the south, taking many leaders with him, and crossed the sea to gather more troops. Caesar followed later, but Pompey used his larger army and navy to prepare for battle. Finally, the two sides met near Pharsalus. Though Pompey had more soldiers, Caesar's forces won the battle, changing the course of the war.

Death

Pompey fled after losing a battle and reached the island of Mytilene, where he met his wife Cornelia again. Many of his allies had been lost in the fight. He decided to sail to Egypt to seek help from its ruler, Ptolemy XIII.

Unfortunately, when Pompey arrived in Pelusium, he was killed by an officer in the Egyptian army. His body was later buried at his home in the Alban Hills.

Marriages and issue

Main article: Wives of Pompey the Great

Pompey married five times during his life. His first wife was Antistia, whom he married in 86 BC and later divorced in 82 BC. They did not have any children together. His second wife was Aemilia Scaura, who was already pregnant from a previous marriage when they wed in 82 BC; she died during childbirth that same year.

Pompey's third wife was Mucia Tertia, whom he married in 79 BC and divorced in 61 BC. They had three children together: two sons named Gnaeus Pompeius and Sextus Pompeius, and a daughter named Pompeia. His fourth wife was Julia, the daughter of Julius Caesar; they married in 59 BC, and she passed away during childbirth in 54 BC, with the baby also not surviving. Finally, he married Cornelia Metella in 52 BC, but they did not have any children.

Generalship

Pompey was known for his strong leadership and good planning in battles. Though some thought his tactics were not very creative, he was very good at organizing his armies and making smart plans. He often won by outsmarting his enemies rather than just fighting directly.

Pompey could adapt to different situations and act quickly when needed. He used different strategies in different wars, sometimes avoiding big battles and sometimes fighting directly. Even when he faced tough opponents, he kept working hard until he achieved his goals.

Literary heritage

Pompey was such an important and dramatic figure that many writers told stories about him. One famous poem by Lucan, called Pharsalia, describes the civil war between Pompey and Caesar. During the Renaissance, several plays in Britain were written about "Caesar and Pompey," including works by George Chapman and Thomas Kyd. Later, French playwright Pierre Corneille wrote about Pompey's death, and this story was adapted into English plays as well.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, poets wrote about different moments in Pompey's life, such as his final days in Egypt. In the 20th century, Colleen McCullough included Pompey in her novels called Masters of Rome, and Steven Saylor featured him in his Roma Sub Rosa mystery books. Robert Harris also wrote about Pompey in his books about Cicero.

Chronology of Pompey's life and career

• 29 September 106 BC – Born in Picenum;
• 86 BC – Marriage to Antistia;
• 89 BC – Serves under his father at Asculum (during the Social War);
• 83 BC – Aligns with Sulla, after his return from the First Mithridatic War against King Mithridates VI of Pontus, raising a legion and cavalry in hopes of joining him;
• 83–82 BC – Fights for Sulla during the war in Italy.
• 82 BC – Divorce by Antistia and marriage to Aemilia at the behest of Sulla;
• 82–81 BC – Defeats Gaius Marius' allies in Sicily and Africa;
• 81 BC – Returns to Rome and celebrates first triumph;
• 79 BC – Pompey marries Mucia Tertia, of the Mucii Scaevolae family;
• 79 BC – Pompey supports the election of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, who openly revolts against the Senate a few months later. Pompey suppresses the rebellion with an army raised from Picenum;
• 76–71 BC – Campaign in Hispania against Sertorius;
• 71 BC – Returns to Italy and participates in the suppression of a slave rebellion led by Spartacus, obtaining his second triumph;
• 70 BC – First consulship (with Marcus Licinius Crassus);
• 67 BC – Defeats the pirates and goes to the province of Asia;
• 66–61 BC – Defeats King Mithridates of Pontus, ending the Third Mithridatic War;
• 64–63 BC – Marches through Syria, the Levant, and Judea;
• 61 BC – Divorce by Mucia Tertia;
• 29 September 61 BC – Third triumph;
• April 59 BC – The so-called first triumvirate is constituted. Pompey allies with Julius Caesar and Crassus, marrying Caesar's daughter Julia;
• 58–55 BC – Governs Hispania Ulterior by proxy, while the Theater of Pompey is constructed;
• 55 BC – Second consulship (with Marcus Licinius Crassus), and the Theater of Pompey is finally inaugurated;
• 54 BC – The first triumvirate ends;
• 52 BC – Serves as sole consul for an intercalary month, but has a third ordinary consulship with Metellus Scipio for the rest of the year, marrying his daughter Cornelia Metella;
• 51 BC – Forbids Caesar (in Gaul) to stand for consulship in absentia;
• 49 BC – Caesar crosses the Rubicon river and invades Italy, while Pompey retreats to Greece;
• 48 BC – Caesar defeats Pompey's army near Pharsalus, Greece. Pompey retreats to Egypt.