pompey

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus

106-48 BC

from equestrian class

pompeys rise to power

In 83 BC , the 23 years old Pompey raised a‘private’ army - on his own initiative – to aid Sulla​

Sulla was impressed with young Pompey and hailedhim as ‘imperator’, even though Pompey was notentitled to be addressed in this fashion​

Later Sulla gave him his stepdaughter in marriage - AMICITIA​

Pompey continued to hold the imperium of a propraetor for a further 2 years (!!) while he waged a successful campaign against the Marians in Sicily and Africa*

Problems in Spain – Campaign against Sertorius​

Sertorius was a popularis who had fought with theMarians against Sulla. He was chosen as governor of Hither Spain during civil war ​

Plutarch says that ‘he took control of their affairs as general with absolute powers’ and ‘brought the neighbouring parts of Spain under their control’​ - disobeyed and worked on his own

Sertorius triumphed time and again over the senatorial generals (such as Metellus) who were sent against him because he made extensive preparations, transformed undisciplined Spanish tribesmen into an army andemployed guerrilla tactics.

campaign against sertorius 76-71 BC

As more Roman troops joined his cause, he organised analternative Roman government with a ‘senate’ praetorsand quaestors. ​

Pompey, with proconsular imperium arrived in Spain in76 to help Metellus​

Pompey remained there from 76 – 71; he was for long unable to bring the war to an end due to Sertorius' guerrilla tactic. But by early 71, Hispania was subdued. Pompey showed a talent for efficiency and fairness in the conquered province; this extended his patronage*through Hispania. In 71 he set off for Italy with his army.

ladder of offices