Pompey The Great :: essays research papers

Pompey The GreatPompey was a Roman general and political leader. He was a member of thefirst Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus, however later becameCaesars enemy.Pompey was born September 30, 106 B.C. His first important militaryexperiences were in the Social struggle during which his father Pompeius Strabo,taught Pompey his military skills. Pompey distinguished himself in the civilwar between Lucies Sulla and Gaius Marius. Pompey raised his own army inPicenum. He did such a good job raising his army he was make an imperatorgeneral. In 83 B.C., he was sent as an imperator general to Sicily and then toAfrica. Successes in both places earned Pompey the name Magnus and the honor ofa triumph, although he was junior-grade over 25 years old and legally unqualified forsuch a status.Some years later, the senate used his aid against the remnants ofMarius factor. Then in 77 B.C., Pompey moved against the Marian forcescommanded by Quintus Sertorius in Spain. There his operat ions were not rewardedbut Sertorius death by poison permitted Pompeys return to Italy in time to set aside the remnants of Spartacuss army fleeing from the defeat at Crassushands (71 B.C.). For his victory, Pompey celebrated his second triumph althoughhe still held public single-valued function. He got a spot in office by moving into the highestoffice of all, the consulship with Crassus as his colleague (70 B.C.). Togetherthey overthrew Sullas constitution by giving the plebian tribunes their formerpowers and the knights partial control of the law courts.In 67 B.C., the tribune Aulus Gabinius, by a bill gave extraordinarymilitary powers to Pompey. His objective was to deal with Piracy throughout theMediterranean. Pompey needed only three months to finish this task.This feat direct to further honors. In 60 B.C., on the motion of anothertribune, Pompey received even greater powers when appointed in Luculluss placeas commander against Mithridates the Great. With miniature difficulty , the newRoman commander forced the Mithridates from Asia Minor and then spent some yearsoverrunning the North East. The big range of Pompeys Journeys and his hatredtowards the natives started future rag with Parthia. Pompey did, however,increase Romes dominions, and he also laid a firm foundation for Romanadministration in the area. While in Palestine, he learned of Mithridates felo-de-se and some months later he returned to Italy and a third triumph. Hisaction in disbanding his army relieved his enemies of their anxiety at hisreturn, but it also persuaded the senate to refuse to delight in his near Eastern