# Pompey

> Roman general and statesman (106–48 BC)

**Wikidata**: [Q125414](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125414)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompey)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pompey

## Summary

Pompey, also known as Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus or Pompey the Great, was a Roman general and statesman who lived from 106 BC to 48 BC. He played a pivotal role in Roman politics and military campaigns, notably forming the First Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus. His influence extended across military conquests, political reforms, and his eventual rivalry with Caesar, which culminated in his assassination in Egypt.

## Biography

- Born: 106 BC (likely in Rome or Picenum)
- Nationality: Ancient Rome
- Education: Not explicitly documented in provided sources
- Known for: Military leadership, political influence, and role in the First Triumvirate
- Employer(s): Roman Republic (military and political service)
- Field(s): Military, Politics

## Contributions

Pompey's contributions include:

- **Military Command**: Led successful campaigns in Spain, Africa, and the East, earning the title "Magnus" (the Great).
- **First Triumvirate**: Formed a powerful political alliance with Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus around 60 BC, reshaping Roman governance.
- **Consulships and Reforms**: Served multiple consulships and influenced key administrative and legislative changes in the Roman state.
- **Naval Victories**: Commanded major naval operations against pirates in the Mediterranean, significantly improving Roman maritime security.
- **Eastern Campaigns**: Expanded Roman territories into Asia Minor and Syria, consolidating Roman dominance in the region.

## FAQs

**Who was Pompey?**  
Pompey, or Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, was a distinguished Roman general and statesman active during the late Roman Republic. He was renowned for his military prowess and political influence, particularly through his role in the First Triumvirate.

**What is Pompey known for?**  
Pompey is best known for his military conquests, his political alliance with Julius Caesar and Crassus in the First Triumvirate, and his eventual conflict with Caesar that led to his death in 48 BC.

**What role did Pompey play in Roman politics?**  
Pompey was a consul and influential political figure who shaped Roman policy through military success and strategic alliances. His shifting loyalties and rivalry with Caesar were central to the political upheaval of the late Republic.

**What military achievements is Pompey associated with?**  
Pompey led major campaigns in Spain, Africa, and the East, earning the title "Magnus." He also conducted successful operations against Mediterranean pirates and expanded Roman territories in the Eastern provinces.

**Where did Pompey serve in his career?**  
Pompey served primarily within the Roman Republic, leading military and political efforts across regions such as Spain, Africa, and the Eastern provinces, including Syria and Asia Minor.

**What was the First Triumvirate?**  
The First Triumvirate was a political alliance formed around 60 BC between Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Crassus. It aimed to consolidate power among the three leaders and bypass the traditional Roman Senate.

**How did Pompey die?**  
Pompey was assassinated in 48 BC in Egypt after being defeated by Julius Caesar at the Battle of Pharsalus. He fled to Egypt seeking refuge but was killed on the orders of Ptolemy XIII.

## Why They Matter

Pompey’s legacy is central to understanding the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. His military campaigns expanded Rome’s territorial and political influence, while his political maneuvers, particularly the First Triumvirate, shifted power dynamics within the state. His rivalry with Julius Caesar marked a turning point in Roman history, contributing to the end of the Republic. Without Pompey, the trajectory of Roman leadership and the rise of autocratic rule under the emperors might have unfolded differently. His life and conflicts with Caesar became a defining narrative in classical antiquity, influencing literature, historiography, and political theory for centuries.

## Notable For

- Military commander of the Roman Republic
- Title "Magnus" (the Great) for military excellence
- Member of the First Triumvirate
- Consul of Rome (multiple terms)
- Naval victories against Mediterranean pirates
- Expansion of Roman territories in the East
- Political rival of Julius Caesar
- Death at the hands of Ptolemy XIII in Egypt

## Body

### Early Life

Pompey was born in 106 BC, likely in Rome or the region of Picenum. His early life is not extensively documented, but he emerged as a military leader during the Social War and the civil conflicts that followed. His father, Pompeius Strabo, was a Roman consul and military commander, which likely influenced Pompey’s early exposure to military and political life.

### Military Career

Pompey’s military career began in his youth, where he distinguished himself in campaigns such as the Social War and the war against Sertorius in Spain. He later led successful operations against Quintus Spartacus during the slave revolts and conducted major naval campaigns against Mediterranean pirates, which earned him widespread acclaim.

- **Campaigns in Spain and Africa**: Pompey’s early victories solidified his reputation as a capable general.
- **War Against Pirates (67 BC)**: Authorized by the Gabinian Law, Pompey cleared the Mediterranean of pirates in just three months, a feat that demonstrated his strategic brilliance.
- **Third Mithridatic War (66–63 BC)**: Pompey defeated Mithridates VI of Pontus and reorganized the Eastern provinces, annexing Syria and establishing Roman control over vast territories.

### Political Career

Pompey’s political ascent was marked by his consulships and his role in the First Triumvirate.

- **Consulships**: Pompey served as consul multiple times, using his military prestige to gain political influence.
- **First Triumvirate (60 BC)**: An informal alliance with Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus, aimed at consolidating power and bypassing the Senate. This alliance reshaped Roman politics and set the stage for later conflicts.
- **Opposition to Caesar**: After Crassus’s death in 53 BC, Pompey aligned with the Senate against Caesar, leading to the civil war that ended with Pompey’s defeat at Pharsalus in 48 BC.

### Death and Legacy

Following his defeat by Caesar, Pompey fled to Egypt, seeking asylum. However, he was assassinated on the orders of Ptolemy XIII in 48 BC, marking the end of his political and military career. His death was a pivotal moment in Roman history, symbolizing the collapse of the Republic and the rise of imperial authority under Caesar and later Augustus.

### Cultural and Historical Impact

Pompey’s life has been extensively chronicled in historical texts and remains a subject of study in classical historiography. His military and political strategies influenced later leaders, and his rivalry with Caesar became a foundational narrative in Roman history. His legacy is preserved in literature, art, and historical analysis, symbolizing both the grandeur and the internal conflicts of the late Roman Republic.

### Names and Titles

Pompey was known by several names and titles:

- Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus
- Cn. Pompeius Magnus
- Pompey Magnus
- Pompey the Great

These reflect his military and political stature, with "Magnus" awarded for his early military successes.

### Related Entities

- **First Triumvirate**: A political alliance between Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Marcus Crassus.
- **Ancient Rome**: The state Pompey served and influenced.
- **HMS Pompee**: A ship named in his honor, launched in 1791.
- **Legio VIII Augusta**: A Roman legion associated with Pompey’s military campaigns.

### Identifiers and References

Pompey is referenced across numerous databases and knowledge systems, including:

- Wikidata Q1747689
- VIAF: 6224297
- ISNI: 0000000374485904
- Library of Congress: n80013395
- BNF: cb11938643b
- GND: 118595636
- ULAN: 500355380
- BNE: XX1074073
- SELIBR: 1747689
- NTA: 070070881
- SUDOC: 027318001
- BIBSYS: 90756998
- LAC: 001147360
- B2FIND: 138672
- IdRef: 027318001
- NDL: 001147360
- RSL: 00007211
- SNAC: 842/000092566
- LNB: LNB:V*342247;=BI
- BVP: T513-44866
- Open Library: 495/26673
- BAC: A3148
- NUKAT: ncf11182817
- CONOR: 9810653882305606
- JSTOR: 10708
- BNE: XX1074073
- DBC: 8063
- DNB: 118595636
- BIBLIO: 1140563741517931008
- FAST: 11261844-n
- LCCN: n80013395
- NKC: jn20000701429
- NLI: 00007211
- NTA: 070070881
- RERO: 00007211
- SWB: 118595636
- ULAN: 500355380
- VIAF: 6224297
- WorldCat: 1841849
- Wikidata: Q1747689
- Wikipedia: Pompey
- Encyclopædia Britannica: biography/Pompey-the-Great
- Metawikimedia: pompey
- Sitelink Count: 100

These identifiers and references reflect Pompey’s extensive documentation and recognition across global cultural and academic systems.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Bios/Plutarch/Pompey.html)
2. [Source](http://www.historyorb.com/people/pompey-the-great)
3. [Source](http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Lives_(Dryden_translation)/Pompey)
4. Dictionary of African Biography
5. Integrated Authority File
6. Digital Prosopography of the Roman Republic
7. Julia
8. [Source](http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0932250.html)
9. [Source](http://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-2010,00.html)
10. [Source](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/exclusions/quiteinteresting/nosplit/quite119.xml)
11. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic
12. Pompeius, Gnaeus
13. RSCD / Pompeii (ii)
14. Pompey, eldest son of Pompey the Great
15. ESBE / Pompey, youngest son of Pompey the Great
16. Virtual International Authority File
17. BnF authorities
18. CiNii Research
19. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pompey-the-Great)
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. CERL Thesaurus
22. LIBRIS. 2013
23. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands