Pompey the Great (106–48 BC)

Roman soldier and politician. From 60 BC to 53 BC, he was a member of the First Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Marcus Livius Crassus. Originally a supporter of Sulla, Pompey became consul with Crassus in 70 BC. He defeated Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus, and annexed Syria and Palestine. He married Caesar's daughter Julia (died 54 BC) in 59 BC. When the Triumvirate broke down after 53 BC, Pompey was drawn into leadership of the senatorial faction. On the outbreak of civil war in 49 BC he withdrew to Greece, was defeated by Caesar at Pharsalus in 48 BC, and was murdered in Egypt.

Considered one of Rome's greatest generals, Pompey had already commanded several armies before being admitted to the Senate as consul in 70 BC. After the death of his father Pompeius Strabo, he raised an army from his father's veterans and clients which fought for Sulla in the Social War. For this, Sulla gave Pompey the perhaps mocking title Magnus (‘The Great’). He suppressed a rebellion in Italy in 77, then fought Sertorius in Spain the following year. He enjoyed some success with Sertorius' subordinates before being checked by Sertorius himself near the river Sucro (probably the modern Ebro). The conflict ended when Sertorius was murdered, and Pompey returned to Rome where he helped defeat the Spartacus Revolt before entering the Senate. In 67 BC Pompey received the extraordinary command to clear the Mediterranean of pirates, which he completed in three months. Sent to conclude the war with Mithridates (VI) Eupator of Pontus, Pompey defeated him at Lycus in 66 BC then received the surrender of Tigranes (I) the Great of Armenia. In 63, he intervened in a civil war in Judaea, storming Jerusalem where he entered the Holy of Holies of the Jewish temple but left its treasures undisturbed. He later consolidated and organized Rome's eastern provinces, shaping their administrative structure for centuries to come. Political failures led to his alliance with Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus (the Elder), the so-called First Triumvirate. After Crassus' death, Pompey refused to treat Caesar as an equal and supported his opponents in the Senate, culminating in the civil war of 49 BC. He abandoned Italy and built up a large army in Macedon which he planned to lead back to Rome. However, he was greatly hindered by the many prominent senators who fled to his camp and questioned his orders, perhaps causing his rather lacklustre generalship in the final campaign. Though far less experienced and confident than Caesar's legions, Pompey's army nearly defeated them at Dyrrachium but was soundly beaten at Pharsalus. Pompey fled to Egypt where he was murdered.