Pompey The Great: One Of Roman Empire’s Most Successful Military Commanders

David Tee - AncientPages.com - Pompey was born in 106 BC, but his mother is not named in historical records. His father, Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo, is well known as a military leader who fought the Social Wars for Rome from 91 to 89 BC.

Pompey the Great (106 BC - 48 BC), one of the prominent statesmen and generals of the late Roman Republic, who at first, was an associate and later an opponent of Julius Caesar.

Nothing is mentioned about Pompey's childhood years, but he did grow up to serve in his father's army. He was given a nobleman's education and was said to be fluent in Greek; he fought in the Social Wars but was not seen consistently in this military history record.

Pompey's Early Military Career

After his father's death, Pompey was part of the army of Cinna, Consul of the Roman Republic (87 BC–86 BC). According to Plutarch, Pompey visited Cinna's camp and escaped after having been accused of some wrongdoing.

The soldiers assumed that Cinna had helped Pompey escape and killed their leader for this breach of their trust. There is no record of what Pompey did during this action.

The next time he is mentioned in military records is when he brings three legions of men to join a Roman army officer and statesman, Sulla (138 BC-78 BC), and his army in their attempt to free Rome and Italy from the Marians. As a protégé of Sulla, Pompey was given the command against the fugitive Marians, who spread out to Spain, Africa, and Sicily. After marrying Sulla's daughter, Pompey was tasked with recovering both Sicily and Africa from the Marians.

He did it in 2 campaigns during the years 82 to 81. During these campaigns, Pompey got the reputation of being a ruthless leader and a butcher. But Pompey did not always make significant decisions as Sulla removed him from the former's will when in 78 BC, Pompey decided to back an enemy of his father-in-law.

Pompey And Politics

In ancient Rome, politics and the military went hand in hand. Armies led by politicians were not unknown, and Pompey was one of those politicians. Elected as consul in approx. 70 BC, Pompey was given military authority to combat the rising pirate threat that threatened the Roman corn supply.

The Triumph of Pompey. Credit: Public Domain

He dealt within the first three months of authorization, and this efficiency helped him get a Roman army placed under his command in 66 BC when Mithradates VI of Pontus threatened.

After defeating Mithridates VI of Pontus, Pompey led his army into Bithynia, Pontus, and Syria, eventually making them into Roman provinces and opening the door to the east.

Pompey's return on his birthday in 62 BC had the Romans celebrating his triumphs for two days. But the celebration was overshadowed by Pompey's political defeats. His attempts to provide land grants to his army and ratification of his eastern settlements were rejected

The First Triumvirate

The First Triumvirate was formed by Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar after Pompey suffered his first political defeats. These three men were probably Rome's most potent political and military men. It was through this union that Pompey was able to overcome those initial defeats and get land granted to his army.

It seems that Crassus was the glue of the three men. While he was alive, the three men acted together in unison and governed peacefully. Pompey even married one of Caesar's daughters, Julia, and ancient historians confirm his love for the woman.

The years 54 and 53 BC were not kind to Pompey. First, his beloved Julia died in childbirth, and then, Crassus was killed in Carrhae, Parthian Empire. 

The Civil War

The tension between both Pompey and Caesar grew over the years until it became clear that one of the two had to go. Caesar came to Rome in 49 BC with an experienced army, while Pompey was left with trying to recruit one from scratch.

In 48 BC Pompey decided to meet Caesar in a pitched battle at Pharsalus in Thessaly. This was a bad decision as Caesar was too smart, his army too experienced and Pompey was not up to the match. This scenario left Pompey vulnerable and very weak.

Upon suffering enormous losses, Pompey decided to join up with Ptolemy in Egypt. Ptolemy was a former client of Pompey's; thus, the latter thought he had an ally. Unfortunately, the former had already decided to align himself with Caesar.

When Pompey arrived in Egypt, he was met by his former associate. A small boat was sent to bring him to shore. Pompey was killed before he left the boat in 48 BC.

Written by – David Tee AncientPages.com Staff Writer

Updated on August 8, 2022

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