separated lis province from Italy, and at the head
Such were the precautions adopted against his of a single legion marched upon Rome.
Such were the precautions adopted against his of a single legion marched upon Rome.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - c
Accordingly, he
However, succeeded eventually in his arduous at- did not cross the Phasis, but retraced his steps
tempt, and reached the Bosporus in safety in the southwards. By the middle of the summer he
course of next year. Pompey abandoned at pre- again reached the banks of the Cyrus, which he
sent all thoughts of following the fugitive king, and crossed, and then proceeded to the Araxes, where
resolved at once to attack the king of Armenia, the Albanians, who had again risen in arms
who was now the more formidable of the two against him, were stationed in great force. These
monarchs. But before commencing his march he he again defeated without any difficulty, and
founded the city of Nicopolis in Lesser Armenia as received a second time the submission of the king.
a memorial of his victory over Mithridates. He now hastened to leave this savage district,
On entering Armenia Pompey met with no and to march to the rich and fertile country
opposition. He was joined by the young Tigranes, of Syria, which would be an easy prey, and from
who had revolted against his father, and all the thence he meditated advancing as far south as the
cities submitted to them on their approach. When Persian Gulph, and carrying his victorious stand-
the Romans drew near to Artaxata, the king, de-ards to conntries hitherto unvisited by Roman
serted by his army and his court, had no alterna- But it was too late this year to march so
tive but submission, and accordingly went out to far south, and he accordingly led his troops into
meet Pompey, and threw himself before him as a winter-quarters at Amisus, a town of Pontus,
suppliant Pompey received him with kindness, on the Euxine. He was now regarded as the master
acknowledged him as king of Armenia, and de- of the Eastern world ; and during the winter he
manded only the payment of 6000 talents. His received ambassadors from the kings of Elymais,
foreign possessions, however, in Syria, Phoenicia, Media, and various other countries, who were
Cilicia, Galatia, and Cappadocia, which had been anxious to solicit his favour. The ruin of Mithri-
conquered by Lucullus, were to belong to the dates seemed so certain that his favourite wife or
Romans. To his son Tigranes Sophene and Gor-concubine, Stratonice, surrendered to the Roman
dyene were given as an independent kingdom ; but general one of the strongest fortresses of the king,
as the young prince was discontented with this which had been entrusted to her care, together
arrangement, and even rentured to utter threats, with valuable treasures and private documents.
Pompey had him arrested, and kept him in chains Pompey no v reduced Pontus to the form of a
to grace his triumph.
Roman province, without waiting for any com-
After thus settling the affairs of Armenia, missioners from the senate ; and he ordered his
arms.
II 2
## p. 484 (#500) ############################################
484
POMPEIUS.
POMPEIUS.
fleet to cruise in the Euxine, and seize all vessels and play the part of Sulla Pompey, however,
that attempted to carry provisions to the king in soon calmed these apprehensions. He disbanded
the Bosporus.
his army almost immedintely after landing at
In the spring of B. c. 64 Pompey left his winter. Brundisium; but he did not proceed straight-
quarters in Pontus, and set out for Syria In his way to Rome, as he was anxious to learn some-
march he passed the field of battle ncar Zela, what more accurately the state of parties before
where Valerius Triarius, the legate of Lucullus, he made his appearance the city. When
had been defeated by Mithridates three years be- he at length set out, he was received by all
fore, with a loss of more than 7000 men. Pompey the cities through which he passed with an
collected their bones which still lay upon the enthusiasm which knew no bounds; and as he
field, and buried them with due honours. On his approached the capital, the greatest part of the
arrival in Syria he deposed Antiochus Asiaticus population flocked out to meet him, and greeted
[Antiochus XIII. ), whom Lucullus had allowed him with the wildest acclamations of joy. After
to take possession of the throne, after the defeat remaining in the neighbourhood of the city for
of Tigranes, and made the country a Roman some months, he at length entered it in triumph,
province. He likewise compelled the neighbouring on his birth-day, the 30th of September, B. c. 6).
princes, who had established independent king. Pompey had just completed his forty-fifth year,
doins on the ruins of the Syrian empire, to submit and this was the third time that he had enjoyed
to the Roman dominion. The whole of this year the honour of a triumph. His admirers represented
was occupied with the settlement of Syria, and him as celebrating now his victory over the third
the adjacent countries.
continent, just as his first triumph had been gained
Next year, B. c. 63, Pompey advanced further over Africa, and his second over Europe. This
south, in order to establish the Roman supremacy triumph, however, was not only the greatest of the
in Phoenicia, Coele-Syria and Palestine. In the three, but the most splendid that the Romans had
latter country, however, a severe struggle awaited
ever yet seen. It lasted for two days, although
it. The country was at the time distracted by a there was no army to lengthen out the procession.
civil war between Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, the in front, large tablets were carried, specifying the
two sons of Aristobulus I. , who died B. c. 105. nations and kings he had conquered, and proclaim-
Pompey espoused the side of Hyrcanus ; and Aris- ing that he had taken 1000 strong fortresses, and
tobulus, who at first had made preparations for nearly 900 towns and 800 ships ; that he had
resistance, surrendered himself to Pompey, when founded 39 cities, that he had raised the revenue
the latter had advanced near to Jerusalem. But of the Roman people from 50 millions to 85 mil-
the Jews themselves refused to follow the example lions; and that he had brought into the treasury
of their king ; the more patriotic and fanatical | 20,000 talents, in addition to 16,000 that he had
took refuge in the fortress of the temple, broke distributed among his troops at Ephesus. Next
down the bridge which connected it with the city, followed an endless train of waggons loaded with
and prepared to hold out to the last. They refused the treasures of the East. On the second day
to listen to any overtures for a surrender; and it Pompey himself entered the city in his triumphal
was not till after a siege of three months that the car, preceded by the princes and chiefs whom he
place was taken. Pompey entered the Holy of had taken prisoners, or received as hostages,
Holies, the first time that any human being, except | 324 in number, and followed by his legates and
the high-priest, had dared to penetrate into this military tribunes, who concluded the procession.
sacred spot.
He reinstated Hyrcanus in the After the triumph, he displayed his clemency by
high-priesthood, and left the government in his sparing the lives of his prisoners, and dismissing
hands, but at the same time compelled him to them to their various states, with the exception of
recognise the authority of Rome by the payment Aristobulus and Tigranes, who, he feared, might
of an annual tribute : Aristobulus he took with excite commotions in Judaea and Armenia re-
him as a prisoner. It was during this war in Pales- spectively, if they were set at liberty.
tine that Pompey received intelligence of the death With this triumphi the first and most glorions
of Mithridates. [MITHRIDATES, VI. ] Pompey part of Pompey's life may be said to have ended.
now led his troops back into Pontus for the winter, Hitherto he had been employed almost exclusively
and began to make preparations for his return to in war, and his whole life had been an almost up-
Italy. He confirmed Pharnaces, the son and interrupted succession of military glory. But now
murderer of Mithridates, in the possession of the he was called upon to play a prominent part in the
kingdom of Bosporus ; Deiotarus, tetrarch of Ga-civil commotions of the commonwealth, a part for
latia, who had supported the Romans in their war which neither bis natural talents nor his previous
with Mithridates, was rewarded with an extension habits had in the least fitted him. From the death
of territory, and Ariobarzanes, king of Cappadocia, of Sulla to the present time, a period of nearly twenty
was restored to his kingdom. After making all years, he had been unquestionably the first man
the arrangements necessary to secure the Roman in the Roman world, but he did not retain much
supremacy in the Fast, Pompey set out for Italy, longer this proud position, and eventually dis-
which he reached at the end of B. C. 62. His covered that the genius of Caesar had reduced him
arrival had been long looked for by all parties with to a second place in the state. It would seem as
various feelings of hope and fear. The aristocracy if Pompey on his return to Rome hardly knew
dreaded that he would come as their master; himself what part to take in the politics of the
the popular party, and especially the enemies of city. He had been appointed to the command
Cicero, hoped that he would punish the latter against the pirates and Mithridates in opposition
for his unconstitutional proceedings in the sup-to the aristocracy, and they still regarded him with
pression of the Catilinarian conspiracy; and both jealousy and distrust. He could not therefore ally
parties felt that at the head of his victorious himself to them, especially too as some of their most
army be might seize upon the supreme power, | influential leaders, such as M. Crassus, L. Lucullus,
## p. 485 (#501) ############################################
POMPEIUS.
485
POMPEIUS.
9
and Metellus Creticus, were his personal enemies. into banislıment; but after Clodius had once
At the same time he does not seem to have been gained from the triumvirs the great object he had
disposed to unite himself to the popular party, desired, he did not care any longer to consult their
which had risen into importance during his absence views He restored Tigranes to liberty whom
in the East, and over which Caesar posscssed un- Pompey had kept in confinement, ridiculed the
bounded influence. The object, however, which great Imperator before the people, and was accused
engaged the immediate attention of Pompey of making an attempt upon Pompey's life. Pompey
was to obtain from the senate a ratification for in revenge resolved to procure the recal of Cicero
all his acts in Asin, and an assignment of lands from banishment, and was thus brought again into
which he had promised to his veter In order some friendly connections with the aristocratical
to secure this object the more certninly, he had party. With Pompey's support the bill for Cicero's
purchased the consulship for one of his creatures, return was passed in B. C. 57, and the orator
L. Afranius, who accordingly was elected with Q. arrived at Rome in the month of September. To
Metellus for the year B. C. 60. But he was cruelly show his gratitude, Cicero proposed that Pom-
disappointed ; L. Afranius was a man of slender abi- pey should have the superintendence of the corn-
lity and little courage, and did hardly any thing to market throughout the whole republic for a period
promote the views of his patron : the senate, glad of of five years, since there was a scarcity of corn at
an opportunity to put an affront upon a man whom Rome, and serious riots had ensued in consequence.
they both feared and bated, resolutely refused to A bill was accordingly passed, by which Pompey
sanction Pompey's measures in Asia. This was was made the Praefectus Annonae for five years.
the unwisest thing the scnate could have done. If In this capacity he went to Sicily, and sent his
they had known their real interests, they would legates to various parts of the Mediterranean, to
have yielded to all Pompey's wishes, and have collect corn for the capital ; and the price in conse-
sought by every means to win him over to their quence soon fell. About the same time there were
side, as a counterpoise to the growing and more many discussions in the senate respecting the re-
dangerous influence of Caesar. But their short storation of Ptolemy Auletes to Egypt Ptolemy
sighted policy threw Pompey into Caesar's arms, had come to Rome, and been received by Pompey
and thus sealed the downfal of their party. Pom- in his villa at Albanum, and it was generally be-
pey was resolved to fulfil the promises he had made lieved that Pompey himself wished to be sent to
to his Asiatic clients and his veteran troops ; his the East at the head of an army for the purpose of
honour and reputation were pledged ; and the re- restoring the Egyptian monarch. The senate, how-
fusal of the senate to redeem his pledge was an in- ever, dreaded to let him return to the scene of his
sult that he could not brook, more especially as he former triumphs, where he possessed unbounded
might have entered Rome at the head of his army, influence ; and accordingly they discovered, when
and have obtained his wishes with his sword. With he was in Sicily and Ptolemy in Ephesus, that the
these feelings Pompey broke off all connection with Sibylline books forbade the employment of force.
the aristocracy, and devoted himself to Caesar, who Pompey returned to Rome early in B. c. 56 ; and
promised to obtain for him the ratification of his though he could not obtain for himself the mission
Pompey, on his side, agreed to support to the East, he used all his influence in order that
Caesar in all his measures ; and that they might the late consul, Lentulus Spinther, who had ob-
be more sure of carrying their plans into execution, tained the province of Cilicia, should restore
Caesar prevailed upon Pompey to become recon- Plolemy to his kingdom. Clodius, who was now
ciled to Crassus, who by his connections, as well as curule aedile, accused Milo at the beginning of
by his immense wealth, had great influence at February ; and when Pompey spoke in his favour,
Rome. Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus, accordingly he was abused by Milo in the foulest manner, and
agreed to assist one another against their mutual held up to laughter and scorn. At the same time
enemies ; and thus was first formed the first tri- he was attacked in the senate by the tribune
umvirate.
C. Cato, who openly charged bim with treachery
This union of the three most powerful men at towards Cicero. The evident delight with which
Rome crushed the aristocracy for the time. Sup- the senate listened to the attack inflamed Pon-
ported by Pompey and Crassus, Caesar was able in pey's anger to the highest pitch ; he spoke openly
his consulship, B. C. 59, to carry all his measures. of conspiracies against his life, denounced Crassus
An account of these is given elsewhere. [CAESAR, as the author of them, and threatened to take mea-
p. 543. ) It is only necessary to mention here, sures for his security. He had now lost the confi.
ihat by Caesar's agrarian law, which divided the dence of all parties; the senate hated and feared
rich Campanian land among the poores citizens, him; the people had deserted him for their favourite
Pompey was able to fulfil the promises he had Clodius ; and he had no other resource left but to
made to his veterans ; and that Caesar likewise strengthen bis connection with Caesar, and to avail
obtained from the people a ratification of all Pom- himself of the popularity of the conqueror of Gaul
pey's acts in Asia. In order to cement their union for the purpose of maintaining his own power and
more closely, Caesar gave to Pompey his daughter influence. This was a bitter draught for the con-
Julia in marriage, Pompey having shortly before queror of the East to swallow: he was already coni-
divorced his wife Mucia.
pelled to confess that he was only the second man
At the beginning of the following year, B. C. 58, in the state. But as he had no alternative, he re-
Gabinius and Piso entered upon the consulship, paired to Caesar's winter-quarters at Lucca, whither
and Caesar went to his province in Gaul Pompey Crassus had already gone before him. Caesar
retired with his wife Julia to his villa of Albanum reconciled Pompey and Crassus to one another,
near Rome, and took hardly any part in public and concluded a secret agreement with them, in
affairs during this year. He quietly allowed Clo virtue of which they were to be consuls for the
dius to ruin Cicero, whom the triumvirs had deter-next year, and obtain provinces and armies, while
mined to leave to his fate. Cicero therefore went he was to have bis government prolonged for an-
acts.
:
113
## p. 486 (#502) ############################################
486
POMPEIUS.
POMPEIUS.
other five years, and to receive pay for his troops. the city. Pompey's object now was to obtain the
This arrangement took place about the middle of dictatorship, and to make himself the undisputed
April. Pompey now bastened to Sardinia and master of the Roman world. · Caesar's continued
Africa in order to have plenty of corn to distribute successes in Gaul and Britain, and his increasing
among the people, which was always one of the power and influence, at length made it clear to
surest means of securing popularity with the rabble Pompey that a struggle must take place between
of the city. Pompey and Crassus, however, expe- them, sooner or later ; but down to the breaking
rienced more opposition to their election than they out of the civil war, he seems to have thought that
had anticipated. It is true that all the other can- Caesar would never venture to draw the sword
didates gave way with the exception of L. Domi- against him, and that as long as he could rule the
tius Ahenobarbus; but supported by M. Cato and Benate and the comitin, his rival would likewise be
the aristocracy, he offered a most determined oppo-obliged to submit to his sway. The death of his
sition. The consul Lentulus Marcellinus likewise wife Julia, in B. c. 54, to whom he was tenderly
was resolved to use every means to prevent their attached, broke one link which still connected him
election ;
and Pompey and Crassus, finding it im- with Caesar ; and the fall of Crassus in the follow-
possible to carry their election while Marcellinus ing year (B. c. 53), in the Parthian expedition, re-
was in office, availed themselves of the reto of the moved the only person who had the least chance of
tribunes Nonius Sufenas and C. Cato to prevent contesting the supremacy with them. In order to
the consular comitia from being held this year. obtain the dictatorship, Pompey secretly encouraged
The elections therefore did not take place till the the civil discord with which the state was torn
beginning of B. c. 55, under the presidency of an asunder, hoping that the senate and the people,
interrex. Even then Ahenobarbus and Cato did tired of a state of anarchy, would at length throw
not relax in their opposition, and it was not till themselves into his arms for the purpose of regaining
the armed bands of Pompey and Crassus had peace and order. In consequence of the riots,
cleared the Campus Martius of their adversaries which he secretly abetted, the consular comitia
that they were declared consuls.
could not be held in B. C. 54, and it was not till
Thus, in B. C. 55, Pompey and Crassus were the middle of B. c. 53 that Domitius Calvinus and
consuls the second time. They forth with proceeded Valerius Messalla were chosen consuls, and that
to carry into effect the compact that had been made the other magistrates were elected. But new
at Lucca. They got the tribune C. Trebonius to tumults ensued. Milo had become a candidate for
bring forward two bills, one of which gave the pro- the consulship, and Clodius for the praetorship;
vince of the two Spains to Pompey, and that of each was attended by a band of hired ruffians ;
Syria to Crassus, and the other prolonged Caesar's battles took place almost every day between them
government for five years more, namely from the in the forum and the streets; all order and govern-
1st of January, B. c. 53, to the end of the year 49. ment were at an end. In such a state of things
Pompey was now at the head of the state, and at no elections could be held ; and the confusion at
the expiration of his year of office, would no longer length became downright anarchy, when Milo mur-
be a private man, but at the head of an army, and dered Clodius on the 20th of January in the fol-
in the possession of the imperium. With an army lowing year (B. C. 52). [Vol. I. p. 774. ] The
he felt sure of regaining his former influence ; and senate, unable to restore order, had now no alter-
he did not see that Caesar had only used him as native but calling in the assistance of Pompey.
his tool to promote his own ends, and that sooner They therefore commissioned him to collect troops
or later he must succumb to the superior genius of and put an end to the disturbances. Pompey, who
his colleague. Pompey had now completed the had at length obtained the great object of his de
theatre which he had been some time building ; sires, obeyed with alacrity, he was invested with
and, as a means of regaining the popular favour, he the supreme power of the state by being elected
resolved to open it with an exhibition of games of sole consul on the 25th of February; and in order
unparalleled splendourand magnificence. The theatre to deliver the city from Milo and his myrmidons,
itself was worthy of the conqueror of the East. It he brought forward laws against violence (De li)
was the first stone theatre that had been erected at and bribery at elections. Milo was put upon his
Rome, and was sufficiently large to accommodate trial; the court was surrounded with soldiers, and
40,000 spectators. It was situate in the Campus the accused went into exile. Others also were
Martius, and was built on the model of one which condemned, and peace was once more restored
Pompey had seen at Mytilene, in the year 62. to the state. Having thus established order, he
The games exhibited by Pompey lasted many days, made Metellus Scipio, whose daughter Cornelia he
and consisted of scenic representations, in which had married since Julia's death, his colleague on
the actor Aesopus appeared for the last time, gym- the 1st of August, and then held the comitia for
nastic contests, gladiatorial combats, and fights of the election of the consuls for the ensuing year.
wild beasts. Five hundred African lions were He next proceeded to strike a blow at Caesar.
killed, and eighteen elephants were attacked and He brought forward an old law, which had fallen
most of them put to death by Gaetulian huntsmen. into disuse that no one should become a can-
A rhinoceros was likewise exhibited on this occasion didate for a public office in his absence, in order
for the first time. The splendour of these games that Caesar might be obliged to resign his com-
charmed the people for the moment, but were not mand, and to place himself in the power of his
sufficient to regain him his lost popularity. Of this enemies at Rome, if he wished to obtain the con-
he had a striking proof almost immediately after-sulship a second time. But the renewal of this
wards ; for the people began to express their dis-enactment was so manifestly aimed at Caesar that
content when he levied troops in Italy and Cisalpine his friends insisted he should be specially exempted
Gaul and sent them into Spain under the com- from it ; and as Pompey was not yet prepared to
mand of his legntes, L. Afranius and M. Petreius, break openly with him, he thought it more expe-
while he himself remained in the neighbourhood of | dient to yield. Pompey at the sane time provided
;
## p. 487 (#503) ############################################
POMPEIUS.
487
POMPEIUS.
a
:
that he should continue in possession of an army scnate decreed that Caesar should disband his
after his rival had ceased to have one, by obtaining army by a certain day, or otherwise be regarded as
a benatusconsultuni, by which his government of an enemy of the state. Two of the tribunes put
the Spains was prolonged for another five years. their veto upon the decree, but their opposition
And, in case Caesar should obtain the consulship, was set at nought, their lives were threatened, and
he caused a law to be enacted, in virtue of which they fled for refuge to Caesar's camp. Caesar he-
no one should have a province till five years had sitated no longer; he crossed the Rubicon, which
elapsed from the time of his holding a public office.
separated lis province from Italy, and at the head
Such were the precautions adopted against his of a single legion marched upon Rome. He was
great rival, the uselessness of which time soon received with enthusiasm by the Italian towns ;
showed,
his march was like a triumphal progress ; city after
The history of the next four years ( 13. c. 51—48) city threw open their gates to him ; the troops of
is related at length in the life of Caesar (Vol. I. the aristocmcy went over to his side ; and Ponipey,
pp. 549—552] ; and it is, therefore, only neces- after all his confident boasting, found himself
sary to give here a brief outline of the remaining unable to defend the capital Ho fled, with all
cvents of Pompey's life. In B. c. 51 Pompey be the leading senators, first to Capua, where he re-
came reconciled to the aristocracy, and was now mained for a short time, and subsequently to Brun-
regarded as their acknowledged head, though it disium. Caesar, however, gnve him no rest ; by
appears that he never obtained the full confidence the 8th of March he was under the walls of Brun-
of the party. In the following year (1. C. 50) the disium ; and as Pompey despaired of holding out
struggle between Caesar and the aristocracy came in that city, he embarked on the 15th of the month,
to a crisis. The latter demanded that Caesar and crossed over to Greece. As Caesar had no
should resign his province and come to Rome as a ships he could not follow him for the present, and
private man in order to sue for the consulship; but therefore marched against Pompey's' legates in
it would have been madness in Caesar to place Spain, whom he conquered in the course of the
himself in the power of his enemies, who had an
same year.
army in the neighbourhood of the city under the In the next year (1. C. 48) the war was decided.
command of Pompey. There was no doubt that he Early in January Caesar arrived in Greece, and
would immediately hare been brought to trial, and forth with commenced active operations. Pompey
his condemnation would have been certain, since meantime had collected a numerous army in Greece,
Pompey would have overawed the judges by his Egypt, and the East, the scene of his former glories.
soldiery as he had done at the trial of Milo. But although his troops far outnumbered Caesar's,
Caesar, however, agreed to resign his provinces, he well knew that they were no match for them
and disband his army, provided Pompey would do in the field, and therefore prudently resolved to
the same. This proposition, however, was rejected, decline a battle. His superiority in cavalry en-
and Caesar prepared for war.
He had now com- abled him to cut off Caesars's supplies, and gave
pleted the subjugation of Gaul, and could confi- him the complete command of all the provisions of
dently rely on the fidelity of his veteran troops, the country. The utmost scarcity began to prevail
whom he had so often led to victory and glory. in Caesar's camp ; since not only could he obtain
At the same time he lost no opportunity of strength- nothing from the country, but he was likewise
ening his interest at Rome ; the immense wealth unable to receive any supplies from Italy, in conse-
he had acquired by the conquest of Gaul was la-quence of the fleet of Pompey, which had the
vishly spent in gaining over many of the most in- entire command of the sea. But Pompey was
fluential men in the city ; the services of the con- prevented from carrying out the prudent plan
sul Aemilius Paulus and of the tribune Curio, who which he had formed for conducting the campaign.
were reckoned devoted partizans of Pompey, were His camp was filled with a multitude of Roman
purchased by enormous bribes. Pompey, on the nobles, unacquainted with war, and anxious to
other hand, neglected to prepare for the coming return to their estates in Italy and to the luxuries
contest; he was firmly convinced, as we have als of the capital. Their superior numbers made
ready remarked, that Caesar would never venture them sure of victory; and Pompey's success at
to inarch against the constituted authorities of the Dyrrhacium, when he broke through Caesar's
state ; and if he were mad enough to draw the lines and compelled him to retire with consider-
sword, Pompey believed that his troops would able loss, rendered them still more confident of
desert him in the desperate enterprize, while his success. Pompey's unwillingness to fight, which
own fame and the cause of the republic would at only showed that he understood his profession for
tract to his standard a multitude of soldiers from better than the vain and ignorant nobles who
all parts of Italy. So confident was he of success would school him, was set down to his love
that he did not attempt to levy troops ; and when of power and his anxiety to keep the senate
some of his friends remonstrated with him, and in subjection. Stung with the reproaches with
pointed out the defenceless condition of their party, which he was assailed, and likewise elated to
if Caesar advanced against the city, Pompey re- some degree by his victory at Dyrrhacium, he re-
plied “ that he had only to stamp with his foot in solved to bring the contest to an issue. Accord-
any part of Italy, and numbers of troops would ingly, he offered battle to Caesar in the plain of
immediately spring up. ” He was confirmed in the Pharsalia in Thessaly, on the 9th of August, and
conviction of his own popularity by the interest ex- the result justified his previons fears. His nu-
pressed on his behalf during a dangerous illness by merous army was completely defeated by Caesar's
which he was attacked this year at Neapolis. Many veterans. This defeat by his great rival seems at
cities offered sacrifices for his restoration to health; once to have driven Pompey to despair. He made
and on his recovery public rejoicings took place in no attempt to rally his forces, though he might
numerous towns of Italy. But he was soon cruelly still have collected a considerable army; but re-
undeceived. At the beginning of B. C. 49 the garding every thing as lost, he hurried to the sea-
111
## p. 488 (#504) ############################################
408
POMPEIUS.
POMPEIUS.
coast with a few friends, only anxious to escape the Roman nobles. lle was both a proud and a
from the country. He embarked on board a vain man, faults which above all others make a
merchant ship at the mouth of the river Peneus, man disliked by his associates and equals. At the
and first sailed to Lesbos, where he took up his same time his moral character was superior to that
wife Cornelia, who was staying in the island, and of the majority of his contemporaries ; and he was
from thence made for the coast of Pamphylia, where free from most of the vices which pervaded all the
he was joined by several vessels and many se higher ranks of society at the time. The ancient
nators. His friends now advised him to seek writers bear almost unanimous testimony to the
refuge in Egypt, since he hud been the means of purity of his marriage life, to his affection for his
restoring to his kingdom the father of the young different wives, to the simplicity and frugality of
Egyptian monarch, and might, therefore, reckon his mode of life, and to the control which he pos-
upon the gratitude of the court. He accordingly sessed over his passions and appetites. In his
set sail for Egypt, with a considerable feet and government of the provinces he also exhibited a
about 2000 soldiers, and upon his arrival off the striking contrast to most of the Roman nobles ;
coast sent to beg for the protection of the king. justice was not to be purchased from him, nor
The latter was only thirteen years of age, and the did he enrich himself, according to the ordinary
government was in the hands of Pothinus, an fashion, by plundering the subjects of Rome. His
eunuch, Theodotus of Chios, and Achillas. These untimely death excites pity ; but no one, who
three men, dreading Caesar's anger if they received has well studied the state of parties at the down-
Pompey, and likewise fearing the resentment of fal of the Roman commonwealth, can regret his
the latter if they forbade bim to land, resolved to fall. He had united himself to a party which was
release themselves from their difficulties by putting intent on its own aggrandizement and the ruin of
him to death. They accordingly sent out a small its opponents ; and there is abundant evidence to
bont, took Pompey on board with three or four prove, that had that party gained the mastery, a
attendants, and rowed for the shore. His wife proscription far more terrible than Sulla's would
and friends watched him from the ship, anxious to have taken place, the lives of every distinguished
bee in what manner he would be received by man on the other side would have been sacrificed,
the king, who was standing on the edge of the their property confiscated, and Italy and the pro-
sea with his troops ; but just as the boat reached vinces divided as booty among a few profligate and
the shore, and Pompey was in the act of rising unprincipled nobles. From such horrors the victory
from his seat, in order to step on land, he was of Caesar saved the Roman world.
stabbed in the back by Septimius, who had for- Pompey was married several times. His wives
merly been one of his centurions, and was now in and children are mentioned in the Stemma in
the service of the Egyptian monarch. Achillas p. 475, and an account of his two surviving sons is
and the rest then drew their swords; whereupon given below. Pompey never had his own portrait
Pompey covered his face with his toga, without struck upon his coins ; but it appears on the coins
uttering a word, and calmly submitted to his fate. of Pompeiopolis and on those of his sons Cneius
He was killed on the 29th of September, the day and Sextus. (See below Nos. 24 and 25. )
before his birth-day, B. C. 48, and had consequently (The principal ancient authorities for the life of
just completed his 58th year. His head was cut Pompey are the biography of Plutarch, the histories
off, and his body, which was thrown out naked on of Dion Cassius, Appian, and Velleius Paterculus,
the shore, was buried by his freedman Philippus, the Civil War of Caesar, and the Letters and Ora-
who had accompanied him from the ship. The tions of Cicero. His life is related at length by
head was brought to Caesar when he arrived in Drumann, Geschichte Roms, vol. iv. )
Egypt soon afterwards, but he turned away from 23. PUMPEIA, sister of the triumvir. [Pompeia,
the sight, shed tears at the untimely end of his No. 3. )
rival, and put bis murderers to death.
24. Cn. Pompeius MAGNUS, the eldest son of
The character of Pompey is not difficult to the triumvir (No. 22] by his third wife Mucia, was
estimate. He was simply a soldier ; his life from born between the years B. c. 80 and 75. He accom-
his seventeenth to his forty-second year was spent panied his father in the expedition against the pi-
almost entirely in military service, and when he rates B. c. 67, but he must then have been too young
returned to Rome after the conquest of Mithri- to have taken any part in the war. On the break-
dates, he did not possess any knowledge of civil ing out of the civil war in B. C. 49, he was sent
affairs, and soon displayed his incompetency to to Alexandria to obtain ships and troops for his
take a leading part in the political commotions of father ; and after procuring an Egyptian fleet of
the time. He had a high sense of his own fifty ships he joined the squadron that was cruising
importance, had been accustomed for years to the in the Adriatic Sea in B. C. 48. Here he succeeded
passive obedience which military discipline re- in taking several of Caesar's ressels off Oricum, and
quired, and expected to be treated at Rome with he made an unsuccessful attack upon the town of
the same deference and respect which he had Lissus. After the defeat of his father at Pharsalia,
received in the camp. With an overweening he was deserted by the Egyptian feet which he
sense of his own influence, he did not condescend commanded, “and he then repaired to the island of
to attach himself to any political party, and thus Corcyra, where many of the Roman nobles, who
became an object of suspicion to both the aris- had survived the battle, had taken refuge. Here
tocracy and the people. He soon found out, what he maintained that, possessing as they did the
Marius had discovered before him, that something command of the sea, they ought not to despair of
more was required than military glory to retain success ; and he was very nearly killing Cicero,
the affections of the multitude ; and he never when the latter recommended submission to the
learnt the way to win the hearts of men. He was conqueror. On his way to Africa, which his party
of a cold and phlegmatic temperament, and seems to had resolved to make the scene of the war, he
have possessed scarcely any personal friends among I learnt from his brother Sextus the death of his
:
## p. 489 (#505) ############################################
POMPEIUS.
489
POMPEIUS.
a
father. Ile did not, however, remain long in but there is no reason to suppose that he ever had
Africn, but in the course of B. C. 47 set sail for his own portrait struck upon his coins. (Eckhel,
Spain, in order to secure that country for his vol. v. p. 282. )
party, and by means of his father's friends and 25. Sex. POMPEIUS MAGNUS, the younger son
dependents, to raise troops which might assist the of the triumvir (No. 22] by his third wiſe Mucia,
aristocracy in Africa.
But Cneius was some time was born B. C. 75, since he was forty at the time of
in reaching Spain ; after making an unsuccessful his death in B. c. 35. (Appian, B. C. v. 144. )
attack upon the town of Ascurum in Mauritania, During the campaign of his father against Caesar
he tout possession of some of the islands off the in Greece, Sextus was with his mother at Myti-
Spanish coast, and appears not to have landed on lene ; and after the loss of the battle of Pharsalia
the mainland till B. C. 46. He had not been here in B. c. 48, he and his mother accompanied the
long before he was joined by his brother Sextus elder Pompey to Egypt, and saw him murdered
and others of his party, who had fled from Africa before their eyes. From thence they fled to
after their defeat at Thapsus. In a short time he Cyprus, and shortly afterwards joined Cn. Pompey
was at the hend of thirteen legions. Caesar sent and Cato. Sextus remained in Africa, while his
his legate C. Didius against him, and towards the brother Cneius went to Spain ; but after the battle
end of the year followed himself. The war was of Thapsus B. C. 46, which ruined all the hopes of
brought to a close by the battle of Munda, fought the Pompeians in Africa, Sextus quitted that coun-
on the 17th of March, B. C. 45, in which Caesar en- try, and repaired to his brother in Spain, together
tirely defeated the Pompeians. It was, however, with Labienus and others of their party. In Spain
the most bloody battle during the whole of the he kept possession of Corduba till the defeat of his
civil war: the Pompeians fought with the courage brother at the battle of Munda in March, B. C. 45.
of despair ; they drove back at first Caesar's As soon as he heard of the loss of this battle, he fled
troops, and it was only by Caesar's throwing him- from Corduba, and lived for a time in concealment
self into the front line of the battle, and exposing in the country of the Lacetani, between the Iberus
his person like a common soldier, that they were and the Pyrenees. Here he supported himself by
led back again to the charge. Cneius himself robbery, and gradually collected a considerable
escaped with a severe wound, and fled to Carteia band of followers, with whom he penetrated into
on the sea-coast. Here he embarked, and set sail the province of Baetica. The governor of the pro-
with a squadron of twenty ships ; but having been vince, C. Carrinas, was unable to offer any effectual
obliged to put to land again in consequence of nego opposition to him ; he was generally supported by
lecting to provide himself with water, he was sur- the natives and the veterans of his father settled
prised by Didius, who had sailed from Gades with in the province ; Carteia, and other towns, fell into
à fleet, his ships were destroyed, and he himself his hands. The death of Caesar still further
obliged to take refuge in the interior of the favoured his enterprises. Asinius Pollio, who
country. But he could not remain concealed ; the had succeeded Carrinas in the government of the
troops sent in pursuit of him overtook him near province, did not possess much military talent, and
Lauron, and put him to death. His head was cut was on one occasion surprised and defeated by
off, and carried to Caesar, who had it exposed to Sextus. This victory gave Sextus the command of
public view in the town of Hispalis, that there might almost the whole of Baetica, and turned towards
be no doubt of his death. Cneius seems to have him the attention of the parties that were now
been by nature vehement and passionate ; and the struggling for the supremacy at Rome. But as
misfortunes of his family rendered him cruel and none of them were yet prepared for open war,
suspicious. He burned to take vengeance on his Lepidus, who had the command of the Nearer
enemies, and Rome had nothing to expect from Spain and of Narbonese Gaul, was commissioned
him, if he had conquered, but a terrible and bloody to make terms with Sextus. The latter agreed to
proscription. (Caes. B. C. iii. 5, 40 ; Dion Cass. lay aside hostilities on condition of his being
xlii. 12, 56, xliii. 14, 28—40 ; Appian, B. C. allowed to return to Rome, and of receiving his
ii. 87, 103—105; Cic. ad Fam. vi. 18, xv. 19 ; patrimonial inheritance. These terms were assented
Hirt, B. Afr. 22, 23 ; Auctor, B. Hisp. 1–39. ) to, and the senate voted a large sum of money to
The annexed coin was probably struck by Cn. Sextus as an indemnification for that portion of
Ponipey, when he was in Spain. It contains on his property which had been sold. So far matters
the obverse the head of his father with CN. MAGN. seemed quiet, but they did not long continue so.
IMP. , and on the reverse a commander stepping out Antony and the aristocratical party soon came to
of a ship, and shaking hands with a woman, pro- an open rupture ; Antony marched into Cisalpine
bably intended to represent Spain, with the legend Gaul to oppose Dec. Brutus, and the senate used
M. MINAT. SABIN. PR. Q. Some writers suppose every effort to obtain assistance against Antony.
that this coin was struck by the triumvir himself, For this purpose they applied not only to Lepidus,
but also to Pompey, who had come to Massilia with
a fleet and an army in order to be nearer the
scene of action, and to determine what course he
should adopt. The senate, on the proposition of
Cicero, passed a laudatory decree in his honour, and
likewise appointed him to the command of the re-
for where
publican fleet: he did not, however, advance to the re-
lief of Mutina, but remained inactive.
However, succeeded eventually in his arduous at- did not cross the Phasis, but retraced his steps
tempt, and reached the Bosporus in safety in the southwards. By the middle of the summer he
course of next year. Pompey abandoned at pre- again reached the banks of the Cyrus, which he
sent all thoughts of following the fugitive king, and crossed, and then proceeded to the Araxes, where
resolved at once to attack the king of Armenia, the Albanians, who had again risen in arms
who was now the more formidable of the two against him, were stationed in great force. These
monarchs. But before commencing his march he he again defeated without any difficulty, and
founded the city of Nicopolis in Lesser Armenia as received a second time the submission of the king.
a memorial of his victory over Mithridates. He now hastened to leave this savage district,
On entering Armenia Pompey met with no and to march to the rich and fertile country
opposition. He was joined by the young Tigranes, of Syria, which would be an easy prey, and from
who had revolted against his father, and all the thence he meditated advancing as far south as the
cities submitted to them on their approach. When Persian Gulph, and carrying his victorious stand-
the Romans drew near to Artaxata, the king, de-ards to conntries hitherto unvisited by Roman
serted by his army and his court, had no alterna- But it was too late this year to march so
tive but submission, and accordingly went out to far south, and he accordingly led his troops into
meet Pompey, and threw himself before him as a winter-quarters at Amisus, a town of Pontus,
suppliant Pompey received him with kindness, on the Euxine. He was now regarded as the master
acknowledged him as king of Armenia, and de- of the Eastern world ; and during the winter he
manded only the payment of 6000 talents. His received ambassadors from the kings of Elymais,
foreign possessions, however, in Syria, Phoenicia, Media, and various other countries, who were
Cilicia, Galatia, and Cappadocia, which had been anxious to solicit his favour. The ruin of Mithri-
conquered by Lucullus, were to belong to the dates seemed so certain that his favourite wife or
Romans. To his son Tigranes Sophene and Gor-concubine, Stratonice, surrendered to the Roman
dyene were given as an independent kingdom ; but general one of the strongest fortresses of the king,
as the young prince was discontented with this which had been entrusted to her care, together
arrangement, and even rentured to utter threats, with valuable treasures and private documents.
Pompey had him arrested, and kept him in chains Pompey no v reduced Pontus to the form of a
to grace his triumph.
Roman province, without waiting for any com-
After thus settling the affairs of Armenia, missioners from the senate ; and he ordered his
arms.
II 2
## p. 484 (#500) ############################################
484
POMPEIUS.
POMPEIUS.
fleet to cruise in the Euxine, and seize all vessels and play the part of Sulla Pompey, however,
that attempted to carry provisions to the king in soon calmed these apprehensions. He disbanded
the Bosporus.
his army almost immedintely after landing at
In the spring of B. c. 64 Pompey left his winter. Brundisium; but he did not proceed straight-
quarters in Pontus, and set out for Syria In his way to Rome, as he was anxious to learn some-
march he passed the field of battle ncar Zela, what more accurately the state of parties before
where Valerius Triarius, the legate of Lucullus, he made his appearance the city. When
had been defeated by Mithridates three years be- he at length set out, he was received by all
fore, with a loss of more than 7000 men. Pompey the cities through which he passed with an
collected their bones which still lay upon the enthusiasm which knew no bounds; and as he
field, and buried them with due honours. On his approached the capital, the greatest part of the
arrival in Syria he deposed Antiochus Asiaticus population flocked out to meet him, and greeted
[Antiochus XIII. ), whom Lucullus had allowed him with the wildest acclamations of joy. After
to take possession of the throne, after the defeat remaining in the neighbourhood of the city for
of Tigranes, and made the country a Roman some months, he at length entered it in triumph,
province. He likewise compelled the neighbouring on his birth-day, the 30th of September, B. c. 6).
princes, who had established independent king. Pompey had just completed his forty-fifth year,
doins on the ruins of the Syrian empire, to submit and this was the third time that he had enjoyed
to the Roman dominion. The whole of this year the honour of a triumph. His admirers represented
was occupied with the settlement of Syria, and him as celebrating now his victory over the third
the adjacent countries.
continent, just as his first triumph had been gained
Next year, B. c. 63, Pompey advanced further over Africa, and his second over Europe. This
south, in order to establish the Roman supremacy triumph, however, was not only the greatest of the
in Phoenicia, Coele-Syria and Palestine. In the three, but the most splendid that the Romans had
latter country, however, a severe struggle awaited
ever yet seen. It lasted for two days, although
it. The country was at the time distracted by a there was no army to lengthen out the procession.
civil war between Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, the in front, large tablets were carried, specifying the
two sons of Aristobulus I. , who died B. c. 105. nations and kings he had conquered, and proclaim-
Pompey espoused the side of Hyrcanus ; and Aris- ing that he had taken 1000 strong fortresses, and
tobulus, who at first had made preparations for nearly 900 towns and 800 ships ; that he had
resistance, surrendered himself to Pompey, when founded 39 cities, that he had raised the revenue
the latter had advanced near to Jerusalem. But of the Roman people from 50 millions to 85 mil-
the Jews themselves refused to follow the example lions; and that he had brought into the treasury
of their king ; the more patriotic and fanatical | 20,000 talents, in addition to 16,000 that he had
took refuge in the fortress of the temple, broke distributed among his troops at Ephesus. Next
down the bridge which connected it with the city, followed an endless train of waggons loaded with
and prepared to hold out to the last. They refused the treasures of the East. On the second day
to listen to any overtures for a surrender; and it Pompey himself entered the city in his triumphal
was not till after a siege of three months that the car, preceded by the princes and chiefs whom he
place was taken. Pompey entered the Holy of had taken prisoners, or received as hostages,
Holies, the first time that any human being, except | 324 in number, and followed by his legates and
the high-priest, had dared to penetrate into this military tribunes, who concluded the procession.
sacred spot.
He reinstated Hyrcanus in the After the triumph, he displayed his clemency by
high-priesthood, and left the government in his sparing the lives of his prisoners, and dismissing
hands, but at the same time compelled him to them to their various states, with the exception of
recognise the authority of Rome by the payment Aristobulus and Tigranes, who, he feared, might
of an annual tribute : Aristobulus he took with excite commotions in Judaea and Armenia re-
him as a prisoner. It was during this war in Pales- spectively, if they were set at liberty.
tine that Pompey received intelligence of the death With this triumphi the first and most glorions
of Mithridates. [MITHRIDATES, VI. ] Pompey part of Pompey's life may be said to have ended.
now led his troops back into Pontus for the winter, Hitherto he had been employed almost exclusively
and began to make preparations for his return to in war, and his whole life had been an almost up-
Italy. He confirmed Pharnaces, the son and interrupted succession of military glory. But now
murderer of Mithridates, in the possession of the he was called upon to play a prominent part in the
kingdom of Bosporus ; Deiotarus, tetrarch of Ga-civil commotions of the commonwealth, a part for
latia, who had supported the Romans in their war which neither bis natural talents nor his previous
with Mithridates, was rewarded with an extension habits had in the least fitted him. From the death
of territory, and Ariobarzanes, king of Cappadocia, of Sulla to the present time, a period of nearly twenty
was restored to his kingdom. After making all years, he had been unquestionably the first man
the arrangements necessary to secure the Roman in the Roman world, but he did not retain much
supremacy in the Fast, Pompey set out for Italy, longer this proud position, and eventually dis-
which he reached at the end of B. C. 62. His covered that the genius of Caesar had reduced him
arrival had been long looked for by all parties with to a second place in the state. It would seem as
various feelings of hope and fear. The aristocracy if Pompey on his return to Rome hardly knew
dreaded that he would come as their master; himself what part to take in the politics of the
the popular party, and especially the enemies of city. He had been appointed to the command
Cicero, hoped that he would punish the latter against the pirates and Mithridates in opposition
for his unconstitutional proceedings in the sup-to the aristocracy, and they still regarded him with
pression of the Catilinarian conspiracy; and both jealousy and distrust. He could not therefore ally
parties felt that at the head of his victorious himself to them, especially too as some of their most
army be might seize upon the supreme power, | influential leaders, such as M. Crassus, L. Lucullus,
## p. 485 (#501) ############################################
POMPEIUS.
485
POMPEIUS.
9
and Metellus Creticus, were his personal enemies. into banislıment; but after Clodius had once
At the same time he does not seem to have been gained from the triumvirs the great object he had
disposed to unite himself to the popular party, desired, he did not care any longer to consult their
which had risen into importance during his absence views He restored Tigranes to liberty whom
in the East, and over which Caesar posscssed un- Pompey had kept in confinement, ridiculed the
bounded influence. The object, however, which great Imperator before the people, and was accused
engaged the immediate attention of Pompey of making an attempt upon Pompey's life. Pompey
was to obtain from the senate a ratification for in revenge resolved to procure the recal of Cicero
all his acts in Asin, and an assignment of lands from banishment, and was thus brought again into
which he had promised to his veter In order some friendly connections with the aristocratical
to secure this object the more certninly, he had party. With Pompey's support the bill for Cicero's
purchased the consulship for one of his creatures, return was passed in B. C. 57, and the orator
L. Afranius, who accordingly was elected with Q. arrived at Rome in the month of September. To
Metellus for the year B. C. 60. But he was cruelly show his gratitude, Cicero proposed that Pom-
disappointed ; L. Afranius was a man of slender abi- pey should have the superintendence of the corn-
lity and little courage, and did hardly any thing to market throughout the whole republic for a period
promote the views of his patron : the senate, glad of of five years, since there was a scarcity of corn at
an opportunity to put an affront upon a man whom Rome, and serious riots had ensued in consequence.
they both feared and bated, resolutely refused to A bill was accordingly passed, by which Pompey
sanction Pompey's measures in Asia. This was was made the Praefectus Annonae for five years.
the unwisest thing the scnate could have done. If In this capacity he went to Sicily, and sent his
they had known their real interests, they would legates to various parts of the Mediterranean, to
have yielded to all Pompey's wishes, and have collect corn for the capital ; and the price in conse-
sought by every means to win him over to their quence soon fell. About the same time there were
side, as a counterpoise to the growing and more many discussions in the senate respecting the re-
dangerous influence of Caesar. But their short storation of Ptolemy Auletes to Egypt Ptolemy
sighted policy threw Pompey into Caesar's arms, had come to Rome, and been received by Pompey
and thus sealed the downfal of their party. Pom- in his villa at Albanum, and it was generally be-
pey was resolved to fulfil the promises he had made lieved that Pompey himself wished to be sent to
to his Asiatic clients and his veteran troops ; his the East at the head of an army for the purpose of
honour and reputation were pledged ; and the re- restoring the Egyptian monarch. The senate, how-
fusal of the senate to redeem his pledge was an in- ever, dreaded to let him return to the scene of his
sult that he could not brook, more especially as he former triumphs, where he possessed unbounded
might have entered Rome at the head of his army, influence ; and accordingly they discovered, when
and have obtained his wishes with his sword. With he was in Sicily and Ptolemy in Ephesus, that the
these feelings Pompey broke off all connection with Sibylline books forbade the employment of force.
the aristocracy, and devoted himself to Caesar, who Pompey returned to Rome early in B. c. 56 ; and
promised to obtain for him the ratification of his though he could not obtain for himself the mission
Pompey, on his side, agreed to support to the East, he used all his influence in order that
Caesar in all his measures ; and that they might the late consul, Lentulus Spinther, who had ob-
be more sure of carrying their plans into execution, tained the province of Cilicia, should restore
Caesar prevailed upon Pompey to become recon- Plolemy to his kingdom. Clodius, who was now
ciled to Crassus, who by his connections, as well as curule aedile, accused Milo at the beginning of
by his immense wealth, had great influence at February ; and when Pompey spoke in his favour,
Rome. Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus, accordingly he was abused by Milo in the foulest manner, and
agreed to assist one another against their mutual held up to laughter and scorn. At the same time
enemies ; and thus was first formed the first tri- he was attacked in the senate by the tribune
umvirate.
C. Cato, who openly charged bim with treachery
This union of the three most powerful men at towards Cicero. The evident delight with which
Rome crushed the aristocracy for the time. Sup- the senate listened to the attack inflamed Pon-
ported by Pompey and Crassus, Caesar was able in pey's anger to the highest pitch ; he spoke openly
his consulship, B. C. 59, to carry all his measures. of conspiracies against his life, denounced Crassus
An account of these is given elsewhere. [CAESAR, as the author of them, and threatened to take mea-
p. 543. ) It is only necessary to mention here, sures for his security. He had now lost the confi.
ihat by Caesar's agrarian law, which divided the dence of all parties; the senate hated and feared
rich Campanian land among the poores citizens, him; the people had deserted him for their favourite
Pompey was able to fulfil the promises he had Clodius ; and he had no other resource left but to
made to his veterans ; and that Caesar likewise strengthen bis connection with Caesar, and to avail
obtained from the people a ratification of all Pom- himself of the popularity of the conqueror of Gaul
pey's acts in Asia. In order to cement their union for the purpose of maintaining his own power and
more closely, Caesar gave to Pompey his daughter influence. This was a bitter draught for the con-
Julia in marriage, Pompey having shortly before queror of the East to swallow: he was already coni-
divorced his wife Mucia.
pelled to confess that he was only the second man
At the beginning of the following year, B. C. 58, in the state. But as he had no alternative, he re-
Gabinius and Piso entered upon the consulship, paired to Caesar's winter-quarters at Lucca, whither
and Caesar went to his province in Gaul Pompey Crassus had already gone before him. Caesar
retired with his wife Julia to his villa of Albanum reconciled Pompey and Crassus to one another,
near Rome, and took hardly any part in public and concluded a secret agreement with them, in
affairs during this year. He quietly allowed Clo virtue of which they were to be consuls for the
dius to ruin Cicero, whom the triumvirs had deter-next year, and obtain provinces and armies, while
mined to leave to his fate. Cicero therefore went he was to have bis government prolonged for an-
acts.
:
113
## p. 486 (#502) ############################################
486
POMPEIUS.
POMPEIUS.
other five years, and to receive pay for his troops. the city. Pompey's object now was to obtain the
This arrangement took place about the middle of dictatorship, and to make himself the undisputed
April. Pompey now bastened to Sardinia and master of the Roman world. · Caesar's continued
Africa in order to have plenty of corn to distribute successes in Gaul and Britain, and his increasing
among the people, which was always one of the power and influence, at length made it clear to
surest means of securing popularity with the rabble Pompey that a struggle must take place between
of the city. Pompey and Crassus, however, expe- them, sooner or later ; but down to the breaking
rienced more opposition to their election than they out of the civil war, he seems to have thought that
had anticipated. It is true that all the other can- Caesar would never venture to draw the sword
didates gave way with the exception of L. Domi- against him, and that as long as he could rule the
tius Ahenobarbus; but supported by M. Cato and Benate and the comitin, his rival would likewise be
the aristocracy, he offered a most determined oppo-obliged to submit to his sway. The death of his
sition. The consul Lentulus Marcellinus likewise wife Julia, in B. c. 54, to whom he was tenderly
was resolved to use every means to prevent their attached, broke one link which still connected him
election ;
and Pompey and Crassus, finding it im- with Caesar ; and the fall of Crassus in the follow-
possible to carry their election while Marcellinus ing year (B. c. 53), in the Parthian expedition, re-
was in office, availed themselves of the reto of the moved the only person who had the least chance of
tribunes Nonius Sufenas and C. Cato to prevent contesting the supremacy with them. In order to
the consular comitia from being held this year. obtain the dictatorship, Pompey secretly encouraged
The elections therefore did not take place till the the civil discord with which the state was torn
beginning of B. c. 55, under the presidency of an asunder, hoping that the senate and the people,
interrex. Even then Ahenobarbus and Cato did tired of a state of anarchy, would at length throw
not relax in their opposition, and it was not till themselves into his arms for the purpose of regaining
the armed bands of Pompey and Crassus had peace and order. In consequence of the riots,
cleared the Campus Martius of their adversaries which he secretly abetted, the consular comitia
that they were declared consuls.
could not be held in B. C. 54, and it was not till
Thus, in B. C. 55, Pompey and Crassus were the middle of B. c. 53 that Domitius Calvinus and
consuls the second time. They forth with proceeded Valerius Messalla were chosen consuls, and that
to carry into effect the compact that had been made the other magistrates were elected. But new
at Lucca. They got the tribune C. Trebonius to tumults ensued. Milo had become a candidate for
bring forward two bills, one of which gave the pro- the consulship, and Clodius for the praetorship;
vince of the two Spains to Pompey, and that of each was attended by a band of hired ruffians ;
Syria to Crassus, and the other prolonged Caesar's battles took place almost every day between them
government for five years more, namely from the in the forum and the streets; all order and govern-
1st of January, B. c. 53, to the end of the year 49. ment were at an end. In such a state of things
Pompey was now at the head of the state, and at no elections could be held ; and the confusion at
the expiration of his year of office, would no longer length became downright anarchy, when Milo mur-
be a private man, but at the head of an army, and dered Clodius on the 20th of January in the fol-
in the possession of the imperium. With an army lowing year (B. C. 52). [Vol. I. p. 774. ] The
he felt sure of regaining his former influence ; and senate, unable to restore order, had now no alter-
he did not see that Caesar had only used him as native but calling in the assistance of Pompey.
his tool to promote his own ends, and that sooner They therefore commissioned him to collect troops
or later he must succumb to the superior genius of and put an end to the disturbances. Pompey, who
his colleague. Pompey had now completed the had at length obtained the great object of his de
theatre which he had been some time building ; sires, obeyed with alacrity, he was invested with
and, as a means of regaining the popular favour, he the supreme power of the state by being elected
resolved to open it with an exhibition of games of sole consul on the 25th of February; and in order
unparalleled splendourand magnificence. The theatre to deliver the city from Milo and his myrmidons,
itself was worthy of the conqueror of the East. It he brought forward laws against violence (De li)
was the first stone theatre that had been erected at and bribery at elections. Milo was put upon his
Rome, and was sufficiently large to accommodate trial; the court was surrounded with soldiers, and
40,000 spectators. It was situate in the Campus the accused went into exile. Others also were
Martius, and was built on the model of one which condemned, and peace was once more restored
Pompey had seen at Mytilene, in the year 62. to the state. Having thus established order, he
The games exhibited by Pompey lasted many days, made Metellus Scipio, whose daughter Cornelia he
and consisted of scenic representations, in which had married since Julia's death, his colleague on
the actor Aesopus appeared for the last time, gym- the 1st of August, and then held the comitia for
nastic contests, gladiatorial combats, and fights of the election of the consuls for the ensuing year.
wild beasts. Five hundred African lions were He next proceeded to strike a blow at Caesar.
killed, and eighteen elephants were attacked and He brought forward an old law, which had fallen
most of them put to death by Gaetulian huntsmen. into disuse that no one should become a can-
A rhinoceros was likewise exhibited on this occasion didate for a public office in his absence, in order
for the first time. The splendour of these games that Caesar might be obliged to resign his com-
charmed the people for the moment, but were not mand, and to place himself in the power of his
sufficient to regain him his lost popularity. Of this enemies at Rome, if he wished to obtain the con-
he had a striking proof almost immediately after-sulship a second time. But the renewal of this
wards ; for the people began to express their dis-enactment was so manifestly aimed at Caesar that
content when he levied troops in Italy and Cisalpine his friends insisted he should be specially exempted
Gaul and sent them into Spain under the com- from it ; and as Pompey was not yet prepared to
mand of his legntes, L. Afranius and M. Petreius, break openly with him, he thought it more expe-
while he himself remained in the neighbourhood of | dient to yield. Pompey at the sane time provided
;
## p. 487 (#503) ############################################
POMPEIUS.
487
POMPEIUS.
a
:
that he should continue in possession of an army scnate decreed that Caesar should disband his
after his rival had ceased to have one, by obtaining army by a certain day, or otherwise be regarded as
a benatusconsultuni, by which his government of an enemy of the state. Two of the tribunes put
the Spains was prolonged for another five years. their veto upon the decree, but their opposition
And, in case Caesar should obtain the consulship, was set at nought, their lives were threatened, and
he caused a law to be enacted, in virtue of which they fled for refuge to Caesar's camp. Caesar he-
no one should have a province till five years had sitated no longer; he crossed the Rubicon, which
elapsed from the time of his holding a public office.
separated lis province from Italy, and at the head
Such were the precautions adopted against his of a single legion marched upon Rome. He was
great rival, the uselessness of which time soon received with enthusiasm by the Italian towns ;
showed,
his march was like a triumphal progress ; city after
The history of the next four years ( 13. c. 51—48) city threw open their gates to him ; the troops of
is related at length in the life of Caesar (Vol. I. the aristocmcy went over to his side ; and Ponipey,
pp. 549—552] ; and it is, therefore, only neces- after all his confident boasting, found himself
sary to give here a brief outline of the remaining unable to defend the capital Ho fled, with all
cvents of Pompey's life. In B. c. 51 Pompey be the leading senators, first to Capua, where he re-
came reconciled to the aristocracy, and was now mained for a short time, and subsequently to Brun-
regarded as their acknowledged head, though it disium. Caesar, however, gnve him no rest ; by
appears that he never obtained the full confidence the 8th of March he was under the walls of Brun-
of the party. In the following year (1. C. 50) the disium ; and as Pompey despaired of holding out
struggle between Caesar and the aristocracy came in that city, he embarked on the 15th of the month,
to a crisis. The latter demanded that Caesar and crossed over to Greece. As Caesar had no
should resign his province and come to Rome as a ships he could not follow him for the present, and
private man in order to sue for the consulship; but therefore marched against Pompey's' legates in
it would have been madness in Caesar to place Spain, whom he conquered in the course of the
himself in the power of his enemies, who had an
same year.
army in the neighbourhood of the city under the In the next year (1. C. 48) the war was decided.
command of Pompey. There was no doubt that he Early in January Caesar arrived in Greece, and
would immediately hare been brought to trial, and forth with commenced active operations. Pompey
his condemnation would have been certain, since meantime had collected a numerous army in Greece,
Pompey would have overawed the judges by his Egypt, and the East, the scene of his former glories.
soldiery as he had done at the trial of Milo. But although his troops far outnumbered Caesar's,
Caesar, however, agreed to resign his provinces, he well knew that they were no match for them
and disband his army, provided Pompey would do in the field, and therefore prudently resolved to
the same. This proposition, however, was rejected, decline a battle. His superiority in cavalry en-
and Caesar prepared for war.
He had now com- abled him to cut off Caesars's supplies, and gave
pleted the subjugation of Gaul, and could confi- him the complete command of all the provisions of
dently rely on the fidelity of his veteran troops, the country. The utmost scarcity began to prevail
whom he had so often led to victory and glory. in Caesar's camp ; since not only could he obtain
At the same time he lost no opportunity of strength- nothing from the country, but he was likewise
ening his interest at Rome ; the immense wealth unable to receive any supplies from Italy, in conse-
he had acquired by the conquest of Gaul was la-quence of the fleet of Pompey, which had the
vishly spent in gaining over many of the most in- entire command of the sea. But Pompey was
fluential men in the city ; the services of the con- prevented from carrying out the prudent plan
sul Aemilius Paulus and of the tribune Curio, who which he had formed for conducting the campaign.
were reckoned devoted partizans of Pompey, were His camp was filled with a multitude of Roman
purchased by enormous bribes. Pompey, on the nobles, unacquainted with war, and anxious to
other hand, neglected to prepare for the coming return to their estates in Italy and to the luxuries
contest; he was firmly convinced, as we have als of the capital. Their superior numbers made
ready remarked, that Caesar would never venture them sure of victory; and Pompey's success at
to inarch against the constituted authorities of the Dyrrhacium, when he broke through Caesar's
state ; and if he were mad enough to draw the lines and compelled him to retire with consider-
sword, Pompey believed that his troops would able loss, rendered them still more confident of
desert him in the desperate enterprize, while his success. Pompey's unwillingness to fight, which
own fame and the cause of the republic would at only showed that he understood his profession for
tract to his standard a multitude of soldiers from better than the vain and ignorant nobles who
all parts of Italy. So confident was he of success would school him, was set down to his love
that he did not attempt to levy troops ; and when of power and his anxiety to keep the senate
some of his friends remonstrated with him, and in subjection. Stung with the reproaches with
pointed out the defenceless condition of their party, which he was assailed, and likewise elated to
if Caesar advanced against the city, Pompey re- some degree by his victory at Dyrrhacium, he re-
plied “ that he had only to stamp with his foot in solved to bring the contest to an issue. Accord-
any part of Italy, and numbers of troops would ingly, he offered battle to Caesar in the plain of
immediately spring up. ” He was confirmed in the Pharsalia in Thessaly, on the 9th of August, and
conviction of his own popularity by the interest ex- the result justified his previons fears. His nu-
pressed on his behalf during a dangerous illness by merous army was completely defeated by Caesar's
which he was attacked this year at Neapolis. Many veterans. This defeat by his great rival seems at
cities offered sacrifices for his restoration to health; once to have driven Pompey to despair. He made
and on his recovery public rejoicings took place in no attempt to rally his forces, though he might
numerous towns of Italy. But he was soon cruelly still have collected a considerable army; but re-
undeceived. At the beginning of B. C. 49 the garding every thing as lost, he hurried to the sea-
111
## p. 488 (#504) ############################################
408
POMPEIUS.
POMPEIUS.
coast with a few friends, only anxious to escape the Roman nobles. lle was both a proud and a
from the country. He embarked on board a vain man, faults which above all others make a
merchant ship at the mouth of the river Peneus, man disliked by his associates and equals. At the
and first sailed to Lesbos, where he took up his same time his moral character was superior to that
wife Cornelia, who was staying in the island, and of the majority of his contemporaries ; and he was
from thence made for the coast of Pamphylia, where free from most of the vices which pervaded all the
he was joined by several vessels and many se higher ranks of society at the time. The ancient
nators. His friends now advised him to seek writers bear almost unanimous testimony to the
refuge in Egypt, since he hud been the means of purity of his marriage life, to his affection for his
restoring to his kingdom the father of the young different wives, to the simplicity and frugality of
Egyptian monarch, and might, therefore, reckon his mode of life, and to the control which he pos-
upon the gratitude of the court. He accordingly sessed over his passions and appetites. In his
set sail for Egypt, with a considerable feet and government of the provinces he also exhibited a
about 2000 soldiers, and upon his arrival off the striking contrast to most of the Roman nobles ;
coast sent to beg for the protection of the king. justice was not to be purchased from him, nor
The latter was only thirteen years of age, and the did he enrich himself, according to the ordinary
government was in the hands of Pothinus, an fashion, by plundering the subjects of Rome. His
eunuch, Theodotus of Chios, and Achillas. These untimely death excites pity ; but no one, who
three men, dreading Caesar's anger if they received has well studied the state of parties at the down-
Pompey, and likewise fearing the resentment of fal of the Roman commonwealth, can regret his
the latter if they forbade bim to land, resolved to fall. He had united himself to a party which was
release themselves from their difficulties by putting intent on its own aggrandizement and the ruin of
him to death. They accordingly sent out a small its opponents ; and there is abundant evidence to
bont, took Pompey on board with three or four prove, that had that party gained the mastery, a
attendants, and rowed for the shore. His wife proscription far more terrible than Sulla's would
and friends watched him from the ship, anxious to have taken place, the lives of every distinguished
bee in what manner he would be received by man on the other side would have been sacrificed,
the king, who was standing on the edge of the their property confiscated, and Italy and the pro-
sea with his troops ; but just as the boat reached vinces divided as booty among a few profligate and
the shore, and Pompey was in the act of rising unprincipled nobles. From such horrors the victory
from his seat, in order to step on land, he was of Caesar saved the Roman world.
stabbed in the back by Septimius, who had for- Pompey was married several times. His wives
merly been one of his centurions, and was now in and children are mentioned in the Stemma in
the service of the Egyptian monarch. Achillas p. 475, and an account of his two surviving sons is
and the rest then drew their swords; whereupon given below. Pompey never had his own portrait
Pompey covered his face with his toga, without struck upon his coins ; but it appears on the coins
uttering a word, and calmly submitted to his fate. of Pompeiopolis and on those of his sons Cneius
He was killed on the 29th of September, the day and Sextus. (See below Nos. 24 and 25. )
before his birth-day, B. C. 48, and had consequently (The principal ancient authorities for the life of
just completed his 58th year. His head was cut Pompey are the biography of Plutarch, the histories
off, and his body, which was thrown out naked on of Dion Cassius, Appian, and Velleius Paterculus,
the shore, was buried by his freedman Philippus, the Civil War of Caesar, and the Letters and Ora-
who had accompanied him from the ship. The tions of Cicero. His life is related at length by
head was brought to Caesar when he arrived in Drumann, Geschichte Roms, vol. iv. )
Egypt soon afterwards, but he turned away from 23. PUMPEIA, sister of the triumvir. [Pompeia,
the sight, shed tears at the untimely end of his No. 3. )
rival, and put bis murderers to death.
24. Cn. Pompeius MAGNUS, the eldest son of
The character of Pompey is not difficult to the triumvir (No. 22] by his third wife Mucia, was
estimate. He was simply a soldier ; his life from born between the years B. c. 80 and 75. He accom-
his seventeenth to his forty-second year was spent panied his father in the expedition against the pi-
almost entirely in military service, and when he rates B. c. 67, but he must then have been too young
returned to Rome after the conquest of Mithri- to have taken any part in the war. On the break-
dates, he did not possess any knowledge of civil ing out of the civil war in B. C. 49, he was sent
affairs, and soon displayed his incompetency to to Alexandria to obtain ships and troops for his
take a leading part in the political commotions of father ; and after procuring an Egyptian fleet of
the time. He had a high sense of his own fifty ships he joined the squadron that was cruising
importance, had been accustomed for years to the in the Adriatic Sea in B. C. 48. Here he succeeded
passive obedience which military discipline re- in taking several of Caesar's ressels off Oricum, and
quired, and expected to be treated at Rome with he made an unsuccessful attack upon the town of
the same deference and respect which he had Lissus. After the defeat of his father at Pharsalia,
received in the camp. With an overweening he was deserted by the Egyptian feet which he
sense of his own influence, he did not condescend commanded, “and he then repaired to the island of
to attach himself to any political party, and thus Corcyra, where many of the Roman nobles, who
became an object of suspicion to both the aris- had survived the battle, had taken refuge. Here
tocracy and the people. He soon found out, what he maintained that, possessing as they did the
Marius had discovered before him, that something command of the sea, they ought not to despair of
more was required than military glory to retain success ; and he was very nearly killing Cicero,
the affections of the multitude ; and he never when the latter recommended submission to the
learnt the way to win the hearts of men. He was conqueror. On his way to Africa, which his party
of a cold and phlegmatic temperament, and seems to had resolved to make the scene of the war, he
have possessed scarcely any personal friends among I learnt from his brother Sextus the death of his
:
## p. 489 (#505) ############################################
POMPEIUS.
489
POMPEIUS.
a
father. Ile did not, however, remain long in but there is no reason to suppose that he ever had
Africn, but in the course of B. C. 47 set sail for his own portrait struck upon his coins. (Eckhel,
Spain, in order to secure that country for his vol. v. p. 282. )
party, and by means of his father's friends and 25. Sex. POMPEIUS MAGNUS, the younger son
dependents, to raise troops which might assist the of the triumvir (No. 22] by his third wiſe Mucia,
aristocracy in Africa.
But Cneius was some time was born B. C. 75, since he was forty at the time of
in reaching Spain ; after making an unsuccessful his death in B. c. 35. (Appian, B. C. v. 144. )
attack upon the town of Ascurum in Mauritania, During the campaign of his father against Caesar
he tout possession of some of the islands off the in Greece, Sextus was with his mother at Myti-
Spanish coast, and appears not to have landed on lene ; and after the loss of the battle of Pharsalia
the mainland till B. C. 46. He had not been here in B. c. 48, he and his mother accompanied the
long before he was joined by his brother Sextus elder Pompey to Egypt, and saw him murdered
and others of his party, who had fled from Africa before their eyes. From thence they fled to
after their defeat at Thapsus. In a short time he Cyprus, and shortly afterwards joined Cn. Pompey
was at the hend of thirteen legions. Caesar sent and Cato. Sextus remained in Africa, while his
his legate C. Didius against him, and towards the brother Cneius went to Spain ; but after the battle
end of the year followed himself. The war was of Thapsus B. C. 46, which ruined all the hopes of
brought to a close by the battle of Munda, fought the Pompeians in Africa, Sextus quitted that coun-
on the 17th of March, B. C. 45, in which Caesar en- try, and repaired to his brother in Spain, together
tirely defeated the Pompeians. It was, however, with Labienus and others of their party. In Spain
the most bloody battle during the whole of the he kept possession of Corduba till the defeat of his
civil war: the Pompeians fought with the courage brother at the battle of Munda in March, B. C. 45.
of despair ; they drove back at first Caesar's As soon as he heard of the loss of this battle, he fled
troops, and it was only by Caesar's throwing him- from Corduba, and lived for a time in concealment
self into the front line of the battle, and exposing in the country of the Lacetani, between the Iberus
his person like a common soldier, that they were and the Pyrenees. Here he supported himself by
led back again to the charge. Cneius himself robbery, and gradually collected a considerable
escaped with a severe wound, and fled to Carteia band of followers, with whom he penetrated into
on the sea-coast. Here he embarked, and set sail the province of Baetica. The governor of the pro-
with a squadron of twenty ships ; but having been vince, C. Carrinas, was unable to offer any effectual
obliged to put to land again in consequence of nego opposition to him ; he was generally supported by
lecting to provide himself with water, he was sur- the natives and the veterans of his father settled
prised by Didius, who had sailed from Gades with in the province ; Carteia, and other towns, fell into
à fleet, his ships were destroyed, and he himself his hands. The death of Caesar still further
obliged to take refuge in the interior of the favoured his enterprises. Asinius Pollio, who
country. But he could not remain concealed ; the had succeeded Carrinas in the government of the
troops sent in pursuit of him overtook him near province, did not possess much military talent, and
Lauron, and put him to death. His head was cut was on one occasion surprised and defeated by
off, and carried to Caesar, who had it exposed to Sextus. This victory gave Sextus the command of
public view in the town of Hispalis, that there might almost the whole of Baetica, and turned towards
be no doubt of his death. Cneius seems to have him the attention of the parties that were now
been by nature vehement and passionate ; and the struggling for the supremacy at Rome. But as
misfortunes of his family rendered him cruel and none of them were yet prepared for open war,
suspicious. He burned to take vengeance on his Lepidus, who had the command of the Nearer
enemies, and Rome had nothing to expect from Spain and of Narbonese Gaul, was commissioned
him, if he had conquered, but a terrible and bloody to make terms with Sextus. The latter agreed to
proscription. (Caes. B. C. iii. 5, 40 ; Dion Cass. lay aside hostilities on condition of his being
xlii. 12, 56, xliii. 14, 28—40 ; Appian, B. C. allowed to return to Rome, and of receiving his
ii. 87, 103—105; Cic. ad Fam. vi. 18, xv. 19 ; patrimonial inheritance. These terms were assented
Hirt, B. Afr. 22, 23 ; Auctor, B. Hisp. 1–39. ) to, and the senate voted a large sum of money to
The annexed coin was probably struck by Cn. Sextus as an indemnification for that portion of
Ponipey, when he was in Spain. It contains on his property which had been sold. So far matters
the obverse the head of his father with CN. MAGN. seemed quiet, but they did not long continue so.
IMP. , and on the reverse a commander stepping out Antony and the aristocratical party soon came to
of a ship, and shaking hands with a woman, pro- an open rupture ; Antony marched into Cisalpine
bably intended to represent Spain, with the legend Gaul to oppose Dec. Brutus, and the senate used
M. MINAT. SABIN. PR. Q. Some writers suppose every effort to obtain assistance against Antony.
that this coin was struck by the triumvir himself, For this purpose they applied not only to Lepidus,
but also to Pompey, who had come to Massilia with
a fleet and an army in order to be nearer the
scene of action, and to determine what course he
should adopt. The senate, on the proposition of
Cicero, passed a laudatory decree in his honour, and
likewise appointed him to the command of the re-
for where
publican fleet: he did not, however, advance to the re-
lief of Mutina, but remained inactive.
