Pompey the Great

Essay by vpxkidHigh School, 10th grade December 2002

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Pompey was born September 30, 106 B.C. His first important military experiences were in the Social war during which his father Pompeius Strabo, taught Pompey his military skills. Pompey famed himself in the civil war between Lucies Sulla and Gaius Marius. Pompey raised his own army in Picenum. He did such a good job raising his army he was made a general. In 83 B.C., he was sent as a general to Sicily and then to Africa. Successes in both places earned Pompey the honor of a triumph.

In 60 B.C., on the motion of another tribune, Pompey received even greater powers when appointed in Lucullus's place as commander against Mithridates the Great. With little difficulty, the new Roman commander forced the Mithridates from Asia Minor and then spent some years overrunning the North East. The big range of Pompey's Journeys and his hatred towards the natives started future trouble with Parthia.

Pompey did, however, increase Rome's dominions, and he also laid a firm foundation for Roman administration in the area. While in Palestine, he learned of Mithridates' suicide and some months later he returned to Italy and a third triumph. His action in disbanding his army relieved his enemies of their anxiety at his return, but it also persuaded the senate to refuse to approve his near Eastern arrangements or authorize bonuses for his veterans. Pompey retaliated by forming with Crassus and Caesar known as the First Triumvirate (60 B.C.). The coalition had agreed to exile Marcus Cicero but it would not be easy. When Caesar went to Gaul, fighting soon arose between Pompey and Crassus, and when Pompey acquiesced in Cicero's recall, a war seemed imminent. Caesar then arranged the Conference of Luca (56 B.C.) to restore harmony Pompey and Crassus became consuls again (55 B.C.) but...