Introduction
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as ‘Pompey’ or ‘Pompey the Great’, was a military leader and a politician, who along with Crassus and Caesar formed the first Triumvirate, making him one of the most powerful men in Rome. A man who demanded respect from all, he gained power through his military prowess and influence, and even had the gall to give himself the title Magnus, which was Latin for the word ‘Great’. Pompey obviously was following the steps of the Macedonian General and leader Alexander the Great. Pompey’s life was littered with amazing military feats and achievements, yet despite his connections and military might, Pompey had an army of veterans, and in particular was strong in the naval area, the ever popular and legendary Julius Caesar triumphed between the titans for the right to rule.
Pompey’s motivations
Pompey was an intelligent and ambitious person who from the beginning had aimed for glory. Born into a wealthy and privileged family, Pompey’s father was Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo, a military leader and a consul, the highest office in the Roman Republic. Pompey Magnus, known for his military feats and achievements, would have been motivated by his father to join the army.Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo would have educated his son military strategies and fighting techniques. “...Strabo, the father of Pompey; during whose lifetime, it is true, they stood in awe of his military power, as indeed he was a formidable warrior…” (Plutarch, Life of Pompey the Great,
Once in power, Crassus and Pompey extended Caesar's time as governor of Gaul, and then chose for themselves long-term governorships, (Crassus in Syria and Pompey in Spain). However, at the end of 55BC, Pompey did not leave for Spain, instead remaining as the only Triumvir in Rome, while Caesar and Crassus took the heads of powerful armies.
One reason that Alexander the Great was such a Great, was because he was a really good military leader. Alexander knew how to give a motivation speech to his army and could take over any city, he had good strategies and was a good political leader. Alexander the great was born on July 20, 356 B.C., to his parents King Phillip the second and Queen Olympia. “In 336 B.C., Alexander’s father Philip was assassinated. Just 20 years old, Alexander claimed the Macedonian throne and killed his rivals before they could challenge his sovereignty. He also quashed rebellions for independence in northern Greece. Once he’d cleaned house, Alexander left to follow in his father’s footsteps and continue Macedonia’s world domination” (History, n.pg.). Alexander wanted the throne right from the start, some say that Alexander hired someone to assassinate his dad and others say he did it himself. Anyways though we know that Alexander wanted the throne right away, and he was not afraid to kill and fight people for the throne by, he killed his rivals and he
Events which stretch as far back as the reforms of the Gracchi brothers’ meant that the Rome was facing a Republic that was already deteriorating before Pompey had stepped into power. While Pompey’s quest for power was harmful, many other factors were also baleful to the Republic, and were hence instrumental in its decline. Gnaeus Pompeius’s measures to gain power were harmful because it was primarily a paradox to the principles of being part of a Republic with all its notions of shared and short power. The fundamental reason why there were other reasons for the decline of the system are that the military power was given to him, the already weak Senate, and the fact that Pompey was not the only player in the breakdown of the Republic due
Archeologists all over the world work towards not only discovering the tracks left behind by societies millions of years ago, but also make an effort to save those footprints for future generations. However, conservation and preservation of archaeological sites can prove to be as arduous as discovering them, or may be more. As a historical site is discovered, it becomes the responsibility of the government and everybody who has to play a role, to secure that site and to not let it deteriorate. Doing so is now also made part of law in many countries and it comes as no surprise when preservation of historical sites is the prime goal of numerous international organizations. Pompeii is one of the most popular historical sites that have been a point of concern for not only Italy’s government but also UN itself. In this paper we try develop an insight of barriers that restrict the development of restoration. Pompeii is an ancient Roman town near the modern Naples, which was first discovered in the 18th century, after it had been destroyed by a volcanic eruption, courtesy of the close standing Mount Vesuvius during the first century. This area and the closer one of Herculaneum was covered in about 20 feet of ash when it was discovered but much of the objects had been able to survive, specifically the ones below the city, as there had been no exposure to air or moisture. This destination is of great importance for the present world as it provides a quality insight into the ‘Pax
During this campaign, Pompey effectively extended Roman assets to the Euphrates River and considerably increased Rome’s annual revenues. Because of his success, many people called him Pompey the Great. However, when he returned back to Rome, he was betrayed. The Senate refused to allocate land to his soldiers in fear of Pompey becoming a dictator (Dutton, 141).
When Pompey returned to Rome he formed an alliance with Julius Caesar known as the first triumvirate (Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity, 1000 BCE–500 CE,). He received three wealthy provinces in Gaul in 58 B.C.E (Ancient Rome). He then went out and attempted to gain control of the rest of the region for Rome. We all know that he successfully did that because of how far the Roman empire spread and how big it was. He declared himself dictator for life. After Pompey’s wife Julia who was Caesar's daughter died in 54 B.C. and Crassus was killed in battle against Parthia the following year, the triumvirate was broken (Ancient Rome). He died after being stabbed by his political rivals (Ancient Rome). Julius is remembered as one of the greatest military minds in history and he created the foundation for the Roman Empire. Another great leader was Augustus, he was a very important Roman emperor. Augustus led the change from a republic to a empire right after Julius Caesar (Anderson 47). He contributed by creating a strong military, created important architecture and created laws. He also laid the foundations of the Pax Romana which was Roman Peace that lasted for 200 years (Anderson 47). These two dictators and emperors are the ones who turned Rome into what it was. These guys set everything up and the other leaders
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, more commonly known as Pompey the Great, was many things. He was part of the first triumvirate with Caesar and Crassus which ended with Crassus and Pompey’s death. He got rid of the mediterranean pirates in three months without major bloodshed. Delivering 20,000 captives to Rome, sparing most of them giving them jobs in farming. He also acquired the nickname Pompey the Great in Sulla’s second civil war as his general. In 77 B.C.E he was sent to be pro consul to assist with the struggle against Sertorius in Spain. Pompey the Great was part of the first triumvirate, he got rid of the Mediterranean pirates, and had many military
Many of the great ancient rulers of the world are remembered for being strong warriors and military leaders. They had a profound influence in their era and on the evolution of modern times. With their many accomplishments and dedication towards their empires, the great rulers flourished with new ideas and fought with no mercy to expand their empires. From the strong military forces to the wealth made from trade, the great rulers of the past changed the lives of the people in their empire. Although the leaders were often tough and ruthless, they made important contributions in the ancient world and helped shape modern civilizations.
This is perfect for Pompey, because since the beginning, Pompey’s role model was the Famous Alexander the Great. Nowadays, Pompey is known to be the Roman Alexander. Sometimes, Pompey’s young age kept him from leveling up his position. He was too young to be a senator, but authorities were eager to bend the rules so he could be one. However, he refused in order to exaggerate his rank. Pompey marries his third wife Mucia in 79 BC. Together, they bore three children: Pompeia (daughter), Sextus (son), and Gnaeus (son). In 81 BC, Sulla named himself dictator of Rome. Dictatorship was established during the times of Hannibal, 135 years before. Dictatorship was intended to last 6 months in intense crisis. However, when Sulla announced himself dictator, there was no time limit. This is argued to be the beginning of the fall of the Roman Republic; when the strive of power became more desired over keeping the Republic in tact. Sulla became ‘Dictator of for the Reconstruction of State’. Unlike Marius, Sulla was more interested in the Aristocracy, than the regular poor people. In 79, Sulla retired from public life and raced against death to finish his memoirs. Sulla died of an ulcer in 78. Pompey is in charge of Sulla’s funeral. On page 35 of Pompey The Roman Alexander by Peter Greenhalgh it says, “He therefore put the whole weight of his influence behind Catulus, won over the majority of Lepidus’ supporters by a combination of threats and entreaties,
Throughout Rome’s history there has been a strong and seemingly indivisible bond between war and politics. The generals of Rome were not only masters of war but would sooner or later become masters of politics. “In the Name of Rome: The men who Won the Roman Empire”, written by Adrian Goldsworthy not only explores the specifics of war but also the character of some of the most famous and successful generals of Rome. I will put focus on a few of the most infamous generals as well as my personal favorites. From oldest to youngest these include: Quintus Fabius Maximus, Marcus Claudius Marcellus, Scipio Africanus, Caius Marius, Cnaeus Pompeius Magnus, and Caius Julius Caesar. All of these had failures and success in common but the way they lead
Pompeii was a City in Italy which overall has a great significance in Roman culture. Pompeii was not famous for its rise or its rule but its destruction. Pompeii was a picture perfect world full of culture and rich history, It was destroyed in AD 79 by a Volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius. It was a symbol of Roman culture and has a great influence on the future even though it existed so long ago.
While it is clear that Pompey the Great was a successful general, how he came to be so is a more complicated matter. To analyse Pompey's career this essay will first examine his background, highlighting the advantages and difficulties that arose from being from a fairly new noble family. Additionally key events in Pompey's career will be explored chronologically, focusing on his most important military successes as well as his political career. This will attempt to determine how much his success relied on his personal characteristics or because of his he was able achieve his successes due to his personal attributes or because of his political relations with noblemen such as Sulla, Caesar and Cicero.
Once Caesar’s wife, Cornelia, had died, he remarried to a woman named Pompeia who ironically was “a wealthy Optimate granddaughter of the Emperor Sulla.” Caesar went on to gain the support of Gnaeus Pompeius (Pompey or Pompey the Great) and become friends with Marcus Licinius Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, which allowed him to run for generalship and Chief Priest in 63 BC. He divorced Pompeia after finding out she cheated with another man, and moved to Spain to serve as praetor of Hispania. Caesar served as consul in the year 59 BC and with his friends Pompey and Crassus, led as the first triumvirate for 10 years. From 58 BC to 50 BC, Caesar led his Roman army to conquer Gaul, modern day France, and making him loved by his soldiers and a hero to the Roman people. He prevented Germanic attacks in his conquered lands by building walls and making a spectacle of his armies, a message the German tribes understood clearly. To finalize the conquest of Gaul in 52 BC, Caesar killed the Gallic leader Vercingetorix in the Battle of Alesia. In 50 BC Pompey, who was running the senate in Rome, ordered for Caesar and his troops to return to the capital, but Caesar refused the senate’s orders and brought his army across the Rubicon River of Italy to Rome to fight Pompey’s army in 49 BC where Pompey and his army fled. Caesar then defeated Pompey’s armies in Greece, Egypt, Asia, and
Marcus Licinius Crassus, a popular Roman general and politician, was also a friend of Caesar, but Pompey and Crassus grew older just to become more and more of a rival to Julius than a friend or ally. Julius, with the brains, had convinced them that they would be in better hands as allies. This 3-man allied power became known as the First Triumvirate. With more power than before, Caesar conquered the area known as Gaul which today is known as France and Belgium. During this takeover, his hired political assistants controlled the government for him back home. (Julius Caesar: Historical Background, April 23, 2014)
Pompeii provides us with the perfect example of a typical roman city and is arguably the most famous site for archaeologists in the world after the events in 79AD. When considering how far Romanized Pompeii had become by the time of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius it is important for us to take into considerations defining factors that made up Roman cities such as the Political set up, the Governments in place, structure of the city and even the religious aspects of the city, which is all somewhat apparent from Pompeii through discoveries. Within this essay I will compare the defining features that made up a typical Roman city and compare them to what we know of how Pompeii was set up.