Pompey

This article refers to the prominent military leader and politician of the late Roman republic, who also had descendants named Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus.

Sicily and Africa

Although his young age kept him a privatus (a man holding no political office of ? or associated with ? the cursus honorum), Pompey was a very rich man and a talented general in control of three veteran legions. Moreover, he was ambitious for glory and power. Happy to acknowledge his son-in-law's wishes, and to clear his own situation as dictator, Sulla sent Pompey to Sicily to recover the island and its invaluable grain supply from the Marians.

Related Topics:
Cursus honorum - Sicily

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Sicily was strategically very important, since the island held the majority of Rome's grain supply. Without it, the city population would starve and riots would certainly ensue. Pompey dealt with the resistance with a harsh hand and when the citizens complained about his methods he replied with one of his most famous quotations: "Stop quoting laws, we carry weapons."

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He routed the opposing forces in Sicily and then went to Africa, where he continued his string of unbroken victories in 82-81 BCE. His ruthless extermination of opposing forces created bitter hatred among the surviving Marians. Proclaimed imperator by his troops on the field in Africa, Pompey demanded a triumph for his African victories, refusing to disband his legions and appearing with his demand at the gates of Rome where, amazingly, Sulla gave in and agreed to award him his triumph. It is also around this point that Pompey gained his cognomen Magnus, meaning The Great. Legend says that it was Sulla himself who had the idea, although this is not certain.

Related Topics:
Imperator - Triumph - Cognomen

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