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.
engaged the immediate attention of Pompey of making an attempt upon Pompey's life.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - c
From the time of C.
ever, was not willing to take any ordinary com-
Gracchus (B. C. 123) to that of Sulla (B. C. 80), mand, and the scarcity of provisions made the
the judices had been taken exclusively from the people ready to grant him any power he might ask.
equestrian order ; but by one of Sulla's laws they still he was prudent enough not to ask in person
had been chosen during the last ten years from the for such extraordinary powers as he desired, and
The corruption and venality of the latter to appear only to yield to the earnest desires of
in the administration of justice had excited such the people. Accordingly, at the beginning of the
general indignation that some change was cla- year B. C. 67, he got the tribune Gabinius, a
morously demanded by the people. Accordingly, man of abandoned character, and whose services he
the praetor L. Aurelius Cotta with the approbation had probably purchased, to bring forward a bill,
of Pompey, proposed a law by which the judices which was intended to give Pompey almost ab.
were to be taken in future from the senatus, solute authority over the greater part of the Roman
equites, and tribuni aerarii, the latter probably world. It proposed that the people should elect a
representing the wealthier members of the third man with consular rank, who should possess un-
order in the state. (Comp. Madvig, De Tribunis limited and irresponsible power for three years
aerariis, in Opuscula, vol. ii. p. 242, &c. ) This law over the whole of the Mediterranean, and to a
was likewise carried; but it did not improve the distance of fifty miles inland from its coasts,
purity of the administration of justice, since cor- who should have fifteen legates from the senate,
ruption was not confined to the senators, but a fleet of 200 ships, with as many soldiers and
pervaded all classes of the community alike. In sailors as he thought necessary, and 6000 Attic
carrying both these measures Pompey was strongly | talents. The bill did not name Pompey, but it
supported by Caesar, with whom he was thug was clear who was meant. The aristocracy were
brought into close connection, and who, though he in the utmost alarm, for not only did they dread
was rapidly rising in popular favour, could as yet the ambition of Pompey, but they feared that he
only hope to weaken the power of the aristocracy might interfere with many of their friends and
through Pompey's means.
relatives, who held provinces which would come
Pompey had thus broken with the aristocracy, under his imperium, and probably spoil their plans
and had become the great popular hero. On the for making their fortunes by the plunder of the
expiration of his consulship he dismissed his army, provincials. Accordingly, they resolved to offer
which he no longer needed for the purpose of over- the most vigorous opposition to the bill. In the
awing the senate, and for the next two years (B. C. senate Caesar was almost the only member of the
69 and 68) he remained in Rome, as he had pre- senate who came forward in its support. Party.
viously declared that he would not accept a pro spirit ran to such a height that the most serious
vince. Having had little or no experience in civil riots ensued. The aristocracy, headed by the
affairs, be prudently kept aloof during this time from consul C. Piso, made an attack upon Gabinius,
all public matters, and appeared seldom in public, who, in danger of his life, fled for refuge to the
and then never without a large retinue, in order people ; and they, in their turn, led on by Gabi-
to keep up among the people the feelings of re- nius, assaulted the senate-house, and would pro-
spectful admiration with which they had hitherto bably have sacrificed the consul to their fury, had
regarded him. Pompey did not possess the diver-not Gabinius effected his rescue, dreading the
sified talents of Caesar: he was only a soldier, odium which such a catastrophe would have occa-
but he showed no small good sense in abstaining sioned. Even Pompey himself was threatened by
from meddling with matters which he did not the consul, “ If you emulate Romulus, you will
understand. But the necessities of the common- not escape the end of Romulus. ” When the day
wealth did not allow him to remain long in inactivity. came for putting the bill to the vote, Pompey
The Mediterranean sea was at this time swarming affected to be anxious for a little rest, and entreated
with pirates. From the earliest times down to the the people to appoint another to the command, but
present day piracy has more or less prevailed in this piece of hypocrisy deceived no one. Q. Catu-
this sea, which, lying as it does between three lus and Q. Hortensius spoke against the bill with
continents, and abounding with numerous creeks great eloquence, but with no effect. Thereupon
and islands, presents at the same time both the the tribune L. Trebellius, whom the aristocracy
greatest temptations and the greatest facilities for had gained over, placed his veto upon the voting ;
piratical pursuits. Moreover, in consequence of the and as no threats nor entreaties could induce him
civil wars in which the Romans had been engaged, to withdraw his opposition, Gabinius proposed
and the absence of any fleet to preserve order upon that he should be deprived of his tribuneship.
the sea, piracy had reached an alarming height. Even then it was not till seventeen out of the
The pirates possessed fleets in all parts of the thirty-five tribes had voted for his degradation,
Mediterranean, were in the habit of plundering that Trebellius gave way, and withdrew his veto.
the most wealthy cities on the coasts, not only of It was now too late in the day to come to any
VOL. III,
11
## p. 482 (#498) ############################################
482
POMPEIUS.
POMPEIUS.
1
decision, but on the following morning the bill the panegyric of Cicero (pro Leg. Man. 12)
was passed, and became a law. When Pompey • Pompey made his preparations for the war
appeared before the people and accepted the com- at the end of the winter, entered upon it at the
mand, he was received with shouts of joy ; and upon commencement of spring, and finished it in the
his asking for still greater means in order to bring middle of the summer. " Pompey, however, did
the war to a conclusion, his requests were readily not immediately return to Rome, but was employed
complied with. Ile now obtained 500 vessels, during the remainder of this year and the begin.
120,000 snilors and foot-soldiers, 5000 horse- ning of the following (1. c. 66) in visiting the
soldiers, 24 legates, and the power of taking such cities of Cilicia and Pamphylia, and providing for
sums of money as he might think fit out of the the government of the newly-conquered districis.
public treasury. On the day that the bill was It was during this time that he received ambassa-
passed the price of provisions at Rome immediately dors from the Cretans, and endeavoured to obtain
fell : this was to the people the most conclusive the credit of the pacification of that island, when
answer that could be given to the objections of the its conquest had been completed by Q. Metellus.
aristocracy, and showed, at all events, the immense The history of this event is related elsewhere,
confidence which all parties placed in the military [METELLUS, No. 23. )
abilities of Pompey.
Pompey was now anxious to obtain the command
Pompey completed all his preparations by the of the war against Mithridates. The rapidity with
end of the winter, and was ready to commence ope- which he had crushed the pirates, whose power had
rations early in the spring. His plans were formed been so long an object of dread, formed a striking
with grent skill and judgment and were crowned contrast to the long-continued struggle which Lil-
with complete success. He stationed his legates cullus had been carrying on ever since the year
with different squadrons in various parts of the B. c. 74 with the king of Pontus. Nay more, the
Mediterrancan to prevent the pirates from uniting, victories which Lucullus had gained at first had
and to hunt them out of the various bays and been forgotten in the disasters, which the Roman
creeks in which they concealed themselves ; while, armies had lately experienced, and in consequence of
at the same time, he swept the middle of the sea which Mithridates was now once more in possession
with the main body of his fleet, and drove them of his hereditary dominions. The end of the war
eastwards. In forty days he cleared the western seemed more distant than ever. The people
sea of pirates, and restored communication between demanded again the invincible arm of Pompey.
Spain, Africa, and Italy. After then remaining a Accordingly, the tribune C. Manilius, who had been
short time in Italy, he sailed from Brundisium; and secured by Pompey and his friends, brought for-
on his way towards Cilicia, where the pirates had ward a bill at the beginning of B. c. 66, giving to
gathered in large numbers, he stopped at Athens, Pompey the command of the war against Mithri-
where he was received with divine honours. With dates, with unlimited power over the army and
the assistance of his legates he cleared the seas as the fleet in the East, and with the rights of a pro-
he went along ; and, in consequence of his treating consul in the whole of Asia as far as Armenia.
mercifully the crews which fell into his power, num- As his proconsular power already extended over all
bers surrendered themselves to him, and it was the coasts and islands of the Mediterranean in
chiefly through their means that he was able to virtue of the Gabinian law, this new measure
track out the lurking places of those who still lay virtually placed almost the whole of the Roman
in concealment. The main body of the pirates had dominions in his hands. But there was no power,
deposited their families and property in the heights however excessive, which the people were not ready
of Mount Taurus, and with their ships awaited Pom- to intrust to their favourite hero ; and the bill was
pey's approach off the promontory of Coracaesium in accordingly passed, notwithstanding the opposition
Cilicia. Here the decisive battle was fought; the of Hortensius, Catulus, and the aristocratical party.
pirates were defeated, and fled for refuge into the Cicero advocated the measure in an oration which
town, which they shortly afterwards surrendered has come down to us (Pro Lege Manilia), and
with all their property, and promised to evacuate Caesar likewise supported it with his growing popu-
all their strong places. The humanity with which larity and influence. On receiving intelligence of
Pompey had acted during the whole of the war, this new appointment, Pompey, who was then in
contributed very much to this result, and saved Cilicia, complained that his enemies would not let
him a tedious and difficult campaign among the him rest in peace, and that they were exposing him
fastnesses of Mount Taurus. More than 20,000 to new dangers in hopes of getting rid of him.
prisoners fell into his hands ; and as it would have this piece of hypocrisy, however, deceived no one,
been dangerous to turn them loose upon society and Pompey himself exhibited no unwillingness
without creating some provision for them, he settled to take the command which had been given him.
them in various towns, where it would be difficult | He immediately crossed the Taurus, and received
for them to resume their former habits of life. the army from Lucullus, whom he treated with
Those on whom most reliance could be placed marked contempt, repealing all his measures and
were distributed among the small and somewhat disparaging his exploits.
depopulated cities of Cilicia, and a large number The power of Mithridates had been broken by
was settled at Soli, which had been lately deprived the previous victories of Lucullus, and the suc-
of its inhabitants by the Armenian king Tigranes, cesses which the king had gained lately were only
and which was henceforward called Pompeiopolis. of a temporary nature, and were mainly owing to
The worse class were removed to Dyme in Achaia, the disorganisation of the Roman army. The most
or to Calabria. The second part of this campaign, difficult part of the war had already been finished
reckoning from the time that Pompey sailed from before Pompey was appointed to the command, and
Brundisium, occupied only forty-nine days, and it was therefore only left to him to bring it to a con-
the whole war was brought to a conclusion inclusion. For this purpose he had a more numerous
the course of three months ; so that, to adopt army and a more powerful fleet than Lucullus had
## p. 483 (#499) ############################################
POMPEIUS.
483
POMPEIUS.
erer possessed. The plan of his campaign, how: 1 Pompey left L. Afranius with a part of his
ever, was characterised by great military skill, and forces in the country between the Euphrates and
fully justified the confidence which the Roman the Araxes, and proceeded himself with the
people reposcd in him. One of his first measures rest of his army towards the north in pursuit of
was to secure the friendship and alliance of the Mithridates. But the season was already so far
Parthian king, Phraates III. , a step by which he advanced that he could not advance further with
not only deprived Mithridates of all hopes of the them than the river Cyrus (the Kur), in the
co-operation of that monarch, but likewise cut him neighbourhood of which he resolved to take up his
off from all assistance from the Armenian king quarters for the winter. The legions were dis-
Tigranes, who was now obliged to look to the tributed through the country in three separate
bifety of his own dominions. Pompey next sta- divisions ; and Orocses, king of Albania, on the
tioned his ficet in different squadrons around the borders of whose kingdom the Romans were en-
coasts of Asia Minor, in order to deprive Mithri- camped, thought this a favourable opportunity for
dates of all communication from the sea, and he crushing the invaders. He accordingly crossed the
then proceeded in person at the head of his land Cyrus at the head of a large army about the
forces against the king. Thus thrown back upon middle of December, but was casily defeated by
his own resources, Mithridates sned for peace, but Pompey, and compelled to suc for peace, which
as Pompey would hear of nothing but unqualified was granted him on condition of his giving the
submission, the negotiation was broken off. The Romans a passage through his territories.
king was still at the head of an army of 30,000 In B. c. 65 Pompey commenced his march north-
foot and 2000 horse, but he knew too well the wards in pursuit of Mithridates, but he had first
strength of a Roman arniy to venture an en- to fight against the Iberians, a warlike people,
gagement with these forces, and accordingly with who lay between the Albanians on the east and
drew gradually to the frontiers of Armenia. For the Colchians on the west. Having repulsed these
a long time he succeeded in avoiding a battle, but barbarians, and compelled them to sue for peace,
he was at length surprised by Pompey in Lesser Pompey then advanced as far as the river Phasis
Armenia, as he was marching through a narrow (Faz), which flows into the Euxine, and here
pass, and was obliged to fight. The battle was he met with his legate Servilius, the commander
soon decided ; the king lost the greater number of of his fleet in the Euxine. From him Pompey
his troops, and escaped with only a few horsemen obtained more certain information respecting the
to the fortress of Synorium, on the borders of the movements of Mithridates, and also leamt the
Greater Armenia. Here he collected again a con- wild and inaccessible nature of the country through
siderable force ; but as Tigranes refused to admit which he would have to march in order to reach
him into his dominions, because he suspected him the king. The experience he had had himself of
of fomenting the intrigues of his son against the warlike character of the inhabitants confirmed
him, Mithridates had no alternative but to take the report of his legate ; and he therefore pru-
refuge in his own distant dominions in the Cim- dently resolved to give up the pursuit of Mithri-
merian Bosporus. To reach them he had to march dates, and not to involve himself in a war with
through Colchis, and to fight his way through the the fierce tribes of the Caucasus, from which he
wild and barbarous tribes that occupied the coun- could obtain little honour, and his troops must
try between the Caucasus and the Euxine. He, inevitably suffer much injury. 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
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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
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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.
Gracchus (B. C. 123) to that of Sulla (B. C. 80), mand, and the scarcity of provisions made the
the judices had been taken exclusively from the people ready to grant him any power he might ask.
equestrian order ; but by one of Sulla's laws they still he was prudent enough not to ask in person
had been chosen during the last ten years from the for such extraordinary powers as he desired, and
The corruption and venality of the latter to appear only to yield to the earnest desires of
in the administration of justice had excited such the people. Accordingly, at the beginning of the
general indignation that some change was cla- year B. C. 67, he got the tribune Gabinius, a
morously demanded by the people. Accordingly, man of abandoned character, and whose services he
the praetor L. Aurelius Cotta with the approbation had probably purchased, to bring forward a bill,
of Pompey, proposed a law by which the judices which was intended to give Pompey almost ab.
were to be taken in future from the senatus, solute authority over the greater part of the Roman
equites, and tribuni aerarii, the latter probably world. It proposed that the people should elect a
representing the wealthier members of the third man with consular rank, who should possess un-
order in the state. (Comp. Madvig, De Tribunis limited and irresponsible power for three years
aerariis, in Opuscula, vol. ii. p. 242, &c. ) This law over the whole of the Mediterranean, and to a
was likewise carried; but it did not improve the distance of fifty miles inland from its coasts,
purity of the administration of justice, since cor- who should have fifteen legates from the senate,
ruption was not confined to the senators, but a fleet of 200 ships, with as many soldiers and
pervaded all classes of the community alike. In sailors as he thought necessary, and 6000 Attic
carrying both these measures Pompey was strongly | talents. The bill did not name Pompey, but it
supported by Caesar, with whom he was thug was clear who was meant. The aristocracy were
brought into close connection, and who, though he in the utmost alarm, for not only did they dread
was rapidly rising in popular favour, could as yet the ambition of Pompey, but they feared that he
only hope to weaken the power of the aristocracy might interfere with many of their friends and
through Pompey's means.
relatives, who held provinces which would come
Pompey had thus broken with the aristocracy, under his imperium, and probably spoil their plans
and had become the great popular hero. On the for making their fortunes by the plunder of the
expiration of his consulship he dismissed his army, provincials. Accordingly, they resolved to offer
which he no longer needed for the purpose of over- the most vigorous opposition to the bill. In the
awing the senate, and for the next two years (B. C. senate Caesar was almost the only member of the
69 and 68) he remained in Rome, as he had pre- senate who came forward in its support. Party.
viously declared that he would not accept a pro spirit ran to such a height that the most serious
vince. Having had little or no experience in civil riots ensued. The aristocracy, headed by the
affairs, be prudently kept aloof during this time from consul C. Piso, made an attack upon Gabinius,
all public matters, and appeared seldom in public, who, in danger of his life, fled for refuge to the
and then never without a large retinue, in order people ; and they, in their turn, led on by Gabi-
to keep up among the people the feelings of re- nius, assaulted the senate-house, and would pro-
spectful admiration with which they had hitherto bably have sacrificed the consul to their fury, had
regarded him. Pompey did not possess the diver-not Gabinius effected his rescue, dreading the
sified talents of Caesar: he was only a soldier, odium which such a catastrophe would have occa-
but he showed no small good sense in abstaining sioned. Even Pompey himself was threatened by
from meddling with matters which he did not the consul, “ If you emulate Romulus, you will
understand. But the necessities of the common- not escape the end of Romulus. ” When the day
wealth did not allow him to remain long in inactivity. came for putting the bill to the vote, Pompey
The Mediterranean sea was at this time swarming affected to be anxious for a little rest, and entreated
with pirates. From the earliest times down to the the people to appoint another to the command, but
present day piracy has more or less prevailed in this piece of hypocrisy deceived no one. Q. Catu-
this sea, which, lying as it does between three lus and Q. Hortensius spoke against the bill with
continents, and abounding with numerous creeks great eloquence, but with no effect. Thereupon
and islands, presents at the same time both the the tribune L. Trebellius, whom the aristocracy
greatest temptations and the greatest facilities for had gained over, placed his veto upon the voting ;
piratical pursuits. Moreover, in consequence of the and as no threats nor entreaties could induce him
civil wars in which the Romans had been engaged, to withdraw his opposition, Gabinius proposed
and the absence of any fleet to preserve order upon that he should be deprived of his tribuneship.
the sea, piracy had reached an alarming height. Even then it was not till seventeen out of the
The pirates possessed fleets in all parts of the thirty-five tribes had voted for his degradation,
Mediterranean, were in the habit of plundering that Trebellius gave way, and withdrew his veto.
the most wealthy cities on the coasts, not only of It was now too late in the day to come to any
VOL. III,
11
## p. 482 (#498) ############################################
482
POMPEIUS.
POMPEIUS.
1
decision, but on the following morning the bill the panegyric of Cicero (pro Leg. Man. 12)
was passed, and became a law. When Pompey • Pompey made his preparations for the war
appeared before the people and accepted the com- at the end of the winter, entered upon it at the
mand, he was received with shouts of joy ; and upon commencement of spring, and finished it in the
his asking for still greater means in order to bring middle of the summer. " Pompey, however, did
the war to a conclusion, his requests were readily not immediately return to Rome, but was employed
complied with. Ile now obtained 500 vessels, during the remainder of this year and the begin.
120,000 snilors and foot-soldiers, 5000 horse- ning of the following (1. c. 66) in visiting the
soldiers, 24 legates, and the power of taking such cities of Cilicia and Pamphylia, and providing for
sums of money as he might think fit out of the the government of the newly-conquered districis.
public treasury. On the day that the bill was It was during this time that he received ambassa-
passed the price of provisions at Rome immediately dors from the Cretans, and endeavoured to obtain
fell : this was to the people the most conclusive the credit of the pacification of that island, when
answer that could be given to the objections of the its conquest had been completed by Q. Metellus.
aristocracy, and showed, at all events, the immense The history of this event is related elsewhere,
confidence which all parties placed in the military [METELLUS, No. 23. )
abilities of Pompey.
Pompey was now anxious to obtain the command
Pompey completed all his preparations by the of the war against Mithridates. The rapidity with
end of the winter, and was ready to commence ope- which he had crushed the pirates, whose power had
rations early in the spring. His plans were formed been so long an object of dread, formed a striking
with grent skill and judgment and were crowned contrast to the long-continued struggle which Lil-
with complete success. He stationed his legates cullus had been carrying on ever since the year
with different squadrons in various parts of the B. c. 74 with the king of Pontus. Nay more, the
Mediterrancan to prevent the pirates from uniting, victories which Lucullus had gained at first had
and to hunt them out of the various bays and been forgotten in the disasters, which the Roman
creeks in which they concealed themselves ; while, armies had lately experienced, and in consequence of
at the same time, he swept the middle of the sea which Mithridates was now once more in possession
with the main body of his fleet, and drove them of his hereditary dominions. The end of the war
eastwards. In forty days he cleared the western seemed more distant than ever. The people
sea of pirates, and restored communication between demanded again the invincible arm of Pompey.
Spain, Africa, and Italy. After then remaining a Accordingly, the tribune C. Manilius, who had been
short time in Italy, he sailed from Brundisium; and secured by Pompey and his friends, brought for-
on his way towards Cilicia, where the pirates had ward a bill at the beginning of B. c. 66, giving to
gathered in large numbers, he stopped at Athens, Pompey the command of the war against Mithri-
where he was received with divine honours. With dates, with unlimited power over the army and
the assistance of his legates he cleared the seas as the fleet in the East, and with the rights of a pro-
he went along ; and, in consequence of his treating consul in the whole of Asia as far as Armenia.
mercifully the crews which fell into his power, num- As his proconsular power already extended over all
bers surrendered themselves to him, and it was the coasts and islands of the Mediterranean in
chiefly through their means that he was able to virtue of the Gabinian law, this new measure
track out the lurking places of those who still lay virtually placed almost the whole of the Roman
in concealment. The main body of the pirates had dominions in his hands. But there was no power,
deposited their families and property in the heights however excessive, which the people were not ready
of Mount Taurus, and with their ships awaited Pom- to intrust to their favourite hero ; and the bill was
pey's approach off the promontory of Coracaesium in accordingly passed, notwithstanding the opposition
Cilicia. Here the decisive battle was fought; the of Hortensius, Catulus, and the aristocratical party.
pirates were defeated, and fled for refuge into the Cicero advocated the measure in an oration which
town, which they shortly afterwards surrendered has come down to us (Pro Lege Manilia), and
with all their property, and promised to evacuate Caesar likewise supported it with his growing popu-
all their strong places. The humanity with which larity and influence. On receiving intelligence of
Pompey had acted during the whole of the war, this new appointment, Pompey, who was then in
contributed very much to this result, and saved Cilicia, complained that his enemies would not let
him a tedious and difficult campaign among the him rest in peace, and that they were exposing him
fastnesses of Mount Taurus. More than 20,000 to new dangers in hopes of getting rid of him.
prisoners fell into his hands ; and as it would have this piece of hypocrisy, however, deceived no one,
been dangerous to turn them loose upon society and Pompey himself exhibited no unwillingness
without creating some provision for them, he settled to take the command which had been given him.
them in various towns, where it would be difficult | He immediately crossed the Taurus, and received
for them to resume their former habits of life. the army from Lucullus, whom he treated with
Those on whom most reliance could be placed marked contempt, repealing all his measures and
were distributed among the small and somewhat disparaging his exploits.
depopulated cities of Cilicia, and a large number The power of Mithridates had been broken by
was settled at Soli, which had been lately deprived the previous victories of Lucullus, and the suc-
of its inhabitants by the Armenian king Tigranes, cesses which the king had gained lately were only
and which was henceforward called Pompeiopolis. of a temporary nature, and were mainly owing to
The worse class were removed to Dyme in Achaia, the disorganisation of the Roman army. The most
or to Calabria. The second part of this campaign, difficult part of the war had already been finished
reckoning from the time that Pompey sailed from before Pompey was appointed to the command, and
Brundisium, occupied only forty-nine days, and it was therefore only left to him to bring it to a con-
the whole war was brought to a conclusion inclusion. For this purpose he had a more numerous
the course of three months ; so that, to adopt army and a more powerful fleet than Lucullus had
## p. 483 (#499) ############################################
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483
POMPEIUS.
erer possessed. The plan of his campaign, how: 1 Pompey left L. Afranius with a part of his
ever, was characterised by great military skill, and forces in the country between the Euphrates and
fully justified the confidence which the Roman the Araxes, and proceeded himself with the
people reposcd in him. One of his first measures rest of his army towards the north in pursuit of
was to secure the friendship and alliance of the Mithridates. But the season was already so far
Parthian king, Phraates III. , a step by which he advanced that he could not advance further with
not only deprived Mithridates of all hopes of the them than the river Cyrus (the Kur), in the
co-operation of that monarch, but likewise cut him neighbourhood of which he resolved to take up his
off from all assistance from the Armenian king quarters for the winter. The legions were dis-
Tigranes, who was now obliged to look to the tributed through the country in three separate
bifety of his own dominions. Pompey next sta- divisions ; and Orocses, king of Albania, on the
tioned his ficet in different squadrons around the borders of whose kingdom the Romans were en-
coasts of Asia Minor, in order to deprive Mithri- camped, thought this a favourable opportunity for
dates of all communication from the sea, and he crushing the invaders. He accordingly crossed the
then proceeded in person at the head of his land Cyrus at the head of a large army about the
forces against the king. Thus thrown back upon middle of December, but was casily defeated by
his own resources, Mithridates sned for peace, but Pompey, and compelled to suc for peace, which
as Pompey would hear of nothing but unqualified was granted him on condition of his giving the
submission, the negotiation was broken off. The Romans a passage through his territories.
king was still at the head of an army of 30,000 In B. c. 65 Pompey commenced his march north-
foot and 2000 horse, but he knew too well the wards in pursuit of Mithridates, but he had first
strength of a Roman arniy to venture an en- to fight against the Iberians, a warlike people,
gagement with these forces, and accordingly with who lay between the Albanians on the east and
drew gradually to the frontiers of Armenia. For the Colchians on the west. Having repulsed these
a long time he succeeded in avoiding a battle, but barbarians, and compelled them to sue for peace,
he was at length surprised by Pompey in Lesser Pompey then advanced as far as the river Phasis
Armenia, as he was marching through a narrow (Faz), which flows into the Euxine, and here
pass, and was obliged to fight. The battle was he met with his legate Servilius, the commander
soon decided ; the king lost the greater number of of his fleet in the Euxine. From him Pompey
his troops, and escaped with only a few horsemen obtained more certain information respecting the
to the fortress of Synorium, on the borders of the movements of Mithridates, and also leamt the
Greater Armenia. Here he collected again a con- wild and inaccessible nature of the country through
siderable force ; but as Tigranes refused to admit which he would have to march in order to reach
him into his dominions, because he suspected him the king. The experience he had had himself of
of fomenting the intrigues of his son against the warlike character of the inhabitants confirmed
him, Mithridates had no alternative but to take the report of his legate ; and he therefore pru-
refuge in his own distant dominions in the Cim- dently resolved to give up the pursuit of Mithri-
merian Bosporus. To reach them he had to march dates, and not to involve himself in a war with
through Colchis, and to fight his way through the the fierce tribes of the Caucasus, from which he
wild and barbarous tribes that occupied the coun- could obtain little honour, and his troops must
try between the Caucasus and the Euxine. He, inevitably suffer much injury. 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-
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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.
