Julius Caesar And Pompey
May 22nd, 2007
Question: why did julius caesar defeat pompey?
Answer: Gauis Julius Caesar, Pompey and Crassus were the most important and powerful men in Rome. GJC and Pompey didn't get along terribly well; but Crassus kept them together, acting as a buffer and moderator. He helped get Pompey to marry GJC's sister to Pompey.
After GJC turns this into an appointment to the General and an assignment to Gaul- which took a number of years to do, and brought him many loyal veterans and most importantly, lots of booty.
While he was out, Crassus died of natural causes; Pompey, also a General, who had conquered much of Anatolia to crush pirates in the area, divorced GJC's sister; and started a smear campain against his lone rival for Rome.
GJC obviously didn't like that, and took his loyal troops to Rome; crossing the Rubicon- Pompey chose to retreat to his power base- away from Rome.
GJC then was able to smear Pompey, call him a coward; and took off after Pompey.
Their forces clashed, with GJC coming out on top. Pompey continued to Egypt to seek an alliance with Ptolomy XII, the current Pharaoh and ruler of Egypt (who had been supposed to be sharing the throne with his sister, Cleopatra VII). Fearing GJC, Pompey ordered Pompey's execution, to which GJC was not happy and commented how sad it was that such a great man met that end.
GJC then had Ptolomy killed and installed Cleopatra VII on the throne, marrying her to her other brother, Ptolomy XIII.
It was later that she came to Rome, and bore GJC's son Ceasarian (who was later killed by Augustus). the Romans didn't like her, and propaganda built up by the elite, and the Senate killed him.
Ironically, he died at the feet of Pompey. He was killed in the Theater of Pompey, which had his statute of course.
Power And Principles Clash In Ancient Republic
Conspirata is the second novel in author Robert Harris' trilogy about the Roman politician Cicero. The series pits Cicero, who is called a hypocrite for his willingness to compromise, against Julius Caesar, who seeks to refashion the Roman republic in his own image.
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Tags: democracy, julius, julius caesar and pompey civil war, late-republic, pompey, roman