Draft:Assassination of Pompey

The assassination of Pompey the Great occurred in 48 BC in Egypt, orchestrated by courtiers of Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII. Pompey, alongside Julius Caesar, had been one of the foremost military commanders in the Roman world, entrusted by the Senate to counter Caesar's growing influence.

Background

Prior to the assassination of Pompey, the Roman Republic was embroiled in a power struggle between Pompey and Julius Caesar, two of its most prominent figures. Pompey, known as "the Great," had risen to prominence through his military conquests, particularly in the east, where he expanded Roman territories and established himself as a formidable general. He was also a key figure in the First Triumvirate, a political alliance formed with Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus to consolidate power in Rome.

However, tensions arose between Pompey and Caesar as their ambitions clashed. Caesar's military successes in Gaul and his growing popularity among the Roman populace posed a threat to Pompey's dominance. Despite their previous alliance, Pompey became increasingly wary of Caesar's intentions, especially as Caesar's term as governor of Gaul came to an end, raising concerns about his potential return to Rome as a powerful political force.

Meanwhile, Caesar, recognizing the need to secure his position and protect his interests, sought to maintain his influence and authority. He famously crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BC, defying the Senate's orders and initiating a civil war against Pompey and his supporters. This marked the beginning of a protracted conflict between Caesar's forces and those loyal to Pompey, ultimately leading to the pivotal Battle of Pharsalus.

As tensions escalated and the stakes grew higher, Pompey's fate became increasingly intertwined with the political machinations of both Roman and Egyptian leaders. His arrival in Egypt, seeking refuge following his defeat at Pharsalus, set the stage for a dramatic and tragic end to his illustrious career.

Battle of Pharsalus

The Battle of Pharsalus, fought on 9 August 48 BC in central Greece, was a decisive engagement in the Roman Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. Pompey, pressured by his eager officers and soldiers, decided to engage Caesar despite his own reservations. The night before the battle, unsettling omens troubled Pompey's camp, including strange noises and a mysterious light over Caesar's camp that moved towards Pompey's​​.

On the morning of the battle, Caesar, initially planning to move his camp, reacted to the noise from Pompey's preparations with enthusiasm, interpreting it as an opportunity to fight rather than face starvation. His troops quickly prepared for combat, assembling in formation with high morale​​.

Pompey positioned himself on the right wing, Scipio in the center, and Ahenobarbus on the left, bolstered by cavalry aiming to outflank Caesar's right. Caesar, anticipating this, placed six cohorts in reserve to counter the cavalry charge​​.

The battle commenced with an aggressive charge from Caesar's troops. Pompey's cavalry, expected to turn the tide, was thwarted by Caesar's hidden cohorts, who targeted them with javelins. The cavalry's disarray led to a broader collapse of Pompey's forces. Caesar's legions, exploiting this chaos, broke through Pompey's infantry, securing a decisive victory​​.

Pompey fled the battlefield and sought refuge in Egypt, where he was ultimately killed. The Battle of Pharsalus effectively ended the civil war, paving the way for Caesar's rise to power and the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire​​.

The assassination

Pompey's assassination occurred on 28 September 48 BC. Fleeing from Caesar's forces after the defeat at the Battle of Pharsalus, Pompey sought refuge in Egypt, hoping to find support from the young King Ptolemy XIII, whose father had been an ally.

Upon arrival, Pompey was met by a small boat sent by the Egyptian king’s advisors. Despite the ominous reception, Pompey boarded the boat, accompanied by a few loyal followers. As they approached the shore, Cornelia, Pompey's wife, watched anxiously from a distance, misled into believing that the crowd gathering on the shore was there to welcome her husband​​.

In a tragic turn, as Pompey prepared to disembark, he was betrayed by those who had seemingly come to greet him. Septimius, a former centurion in Pompey's army, approached from behind and stabbed him with a sword. Achillas and Salvius joined in the attack, ensuring Pompey’s death. Covering his face with his toga, Pompey met his end with dignity, uttering no words, only a sigh​​.

Pompey's head was severed and presented to Ptolemy XIII as a grisly token, while his body was left abandoned. Philip, Pompey's loyal freedman, tended to the body, washing it with seawater and preparing a makeshift pyre using the remains of an old fishing boat. As Philip worked, he encountered an old Roman soldier, who joined him in the somber task of burying their former commander​​.

Aftermath

The news of Pompey's assassination and the subsequent desecration of his body spread quickly throughout the Roman world, shocking many and altering the political landscape of both Rome and Egypt. When Julius Caesar arrived in Egypt, he was presented with Pompey's severed head and signet ring. Disgusted by the sight and the act of betrayal, Caesar reportedly turned away in horror and wept.

Following the assassination, the Egyptian conspirators, including Achillas and Photinus, believed they had secured Caesar's favor by eliminating his rival. However, Caesar saw the assassination as a dishonorable act, unworthy of Romans and reflecting poorly on the perpetrators. Caesar's immediate response was to seek justice for Pompey's murder. He ordered the execution of Achillas and Photinus.

King Ptolemy XIII, who had sanctioned the assassination, faced severe consequences for his decision. Caesar's dissatisfaction with the young king's actions led to a confrontation between Caesar's forces and those loyal to Ptolemy. The ensuing conflict, known as the Alexandrian War, culminated in the Battle of the Nile. Caesar emerged victorious, and Ptolemy XIII was killed during the battle, reportedly drowning in the Nile River while attempting to flee. His sister, Cleopatra VII, was installed as the ruler of Egypt with the support of Caesar, significantly shifting the balance of power in the region​​.

The assassination of Pompey had significant implications for Roman politics. It marked the end of the Roman Republic's internal power struggles and paved the way for the rise of Caesar as the unchallenged leader of Rome. These events contributed to Caesar's consolidation of power, eventually leading to his appointment as dictator for life​​.

In the aftermath, Pompey's remains were recovered and returned to his wife, Cornelia, who ensured he received a proper burial. His body was interred on a family estate near Alba.

Sources

• Clarke, Samuel (1665). The life and death of Pompey the Great with all his glorious victories and triumphs : as also the Life and death of Artaxerxes Mnemon, one of the great Persian emperours. London: Printed for William Miller. Retrieved 2024-05-22.