Premium Essay

How Did Pompey Influence Rome

Submitted By
Words 2025
Pages 9
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, or Pompey the Great, was born in 106 BC in Picenum, Italy to the politician and general Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo (Pompey Strabo). Although Pompey the Great came from an aristocratic background, his father was a novus homo, meaning that he was the first in his family to be elected to public office. Pompey Strabo rose through the ranks of Roman government, becoming quaestor in 104 BC, praetor in 92 BC, and then elected consul in 89 BC. At this time, during the civil war between Sulla and Marius, Pompey Strabo supported Sulla’s side, the Optimates. This group consisted of aristocrats and the wealthy, as opposed to the populares, led by Marius, which was in favor of the common people. Pompey Strabo passed away in 87 BC during …show more content…
As a result, a plebian tribune, Aulus Gabinius proposed the Lex Gabinia, which granted an ex-consul, chosen by the senate, proconsular power through the whoel of the Mediterranean and 50 miles inward of any coast. This amount of power was unprecedented. Yet, the Senate opposed the law because they knew that Pompey would be favored by the people as the leader, and they feared giving Pompey that much power. The plebian tribunes passed the law, and the senate also approved it, albeit reluctantly. Pompey then set about on his crusade against the pirates. He eradicated all piracy in the Mediterranean, and the war with the pirates was ended very quickly, though it should be noted that Pompey was able to convince some 20,000 of them to give up piracy and settle on land as …show more content…
In his first consulship, his re-institution of the plebian tribunates and council later proved to be valuable to Julius Caesar. As Caesar was popular amongst the common people while being feared by the optimates and senate, it was invaluable for Caesar because it allowed him to pass laws favorable to him. The plebian council allowed him to gain control over France and legal immunity for 10 years. This power was the major reason for the start of the civil war with Pompey and therefore, Pompey’s decision to give more power to plebian offices played a major role in his death and Caesar’s rise. The land distribution bill that Pompey helped pass also allowed soldiers to become loyal to their generals over Rome, similar to what Marius did many years before Pompey and Caesar. In addition, Pompey’s political influence in the triumvirate helped tremendously in getting Caesar elected consul in the first place. Without Pompey, Caesar might not have been able to even be elected consul, and certainly wouldn’t have been able to amass such a large army and so much power. As such, Pompey had a lasting influence on Roman history and was a major reason for Rome’s transition from a Republic to an

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Hfjdjd

...Caesar Summary Option K Rome: Julius Caesar Principal Focus: Students gain an understanding of Julius Caesar in the context of his time. Students learn about: 1 Historical context – geography, topography and resources of Rome and provinces – overview of Roman political and social structures – overview of significant political and military developments 2 Background and rise to prominence – his family background and position – his education, early life and ambitions – paths to power: priesthoods; Marian connections; political alliances and marriages – early political career to 60 BC 3 Career – role in First Triumvirate – Gallic Wars: campaigns and tactics, siege of Alesia – relationship with his army – relationship with the Senate – role in the Civil War – political supporters and enemies – personal relationships: Julia, Cleopatra VII, Brutus, Mark Antony, Cicero – impact of personality on career; significance of his writings – dictatorship: policies and reforms – assassination: motives, manner and impact of his death 4 Evaluation – impact and influence on his time – assessment of his life and career – legacy – ancient and modern images and interpretations of Julius Caesar. 1. Historical Context Geography, topography and resources of Rome and provinces Geography and topography • Most of Italy is...

Words: 7804 - Pages: 32

Premium Essay

Common People in Julius Caesar

...Is Shakespeare’s portrayal of the common people of Rome realistic? Why did the common people of Rome kill Cinna the poet? Shakespeare’s portrayal of the common people of Rome is realistic since he shows how people act when they are part of a crowd. The image of disordered society also influences the act of Rome populace since there are no rules. Shakespeare realized that people tend to follow the crowd; therefore, he uses this point to exemplify mob mentality which is prevalent throughout the play. In Act I, the commoners are cheering for Caesar after the defeat of Pompey, Marullus, a tribune, reminds them of how they had similarly cheered for Pompey in the same streets. The people once wait “with patient expectation, to see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome” (I.i.42-43) This shows how the crowed seems to be easily swayed in their allegiance. This illustrates how fickle the people are and how they are able to quickly change loyalties to whoever is in power. Not much has changed in modern times. Most people still tend to follow whoever is in charge because they feel it is safer to stick with what everybody else is doing. This is an example of mob mentality. Mark Antony understands this fact about the people and uses it to his advantage when the conspirators later assassinate Caesar. The commoners’ new loyalty to Caesar is similar to the ease with which Cassius convinces Brutus (with no real evidence) that Caesar wants to be king and should therefore be murdered...

Words: 786 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Hellenism During the Intertestamental Period

... VI. ROMAN RULE 9 VII. CONCLUSION 12 BIBLIOGRAPHY 13 HELLENISM DURING THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD Introduction As the Old Testaments ends, the book of Malachi presents a hopeful message of a Messiah. There are more than four hundred years between the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. Some refer to these four hundred years as the “time of darkness” or the “centuries of silence.” The New Testament opens in a scene that has had a dramatic change from a biblical Israel to post-exilic Judaism. The pervasive and lasting impact of the Greek culture on Syro-Palestine was due primarily to brilliance and character of Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE). This influence came to be known as Hellenization. Jerusalem Jews adopted the term “Hellenistic” as a hostile description during the second century as “going Greek.” Although many Jewish communities resisted the effects of Hellenization, it still had a significant impact on the culture, language and ideas of the people. ALEXANDER THE GREAT Alexander was the king of the Macedonians, which was a tribe from northern Greece. He became king at the young age of twenty, after his father’s death. Enemies surrounded the nation on every side, and Alexander’s advisors suggested that he surrender Greece altogether without going to war. However, Alexander chose to go the opposite route. He launched into battle and defeated one empire after another. He was...

Words: 2718 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Ancient Rome Paper

...Long essay How Christianity affected the empire * Think in term of centuries * Constantine Germans, army, borders * German influence lead to the end of the empire * Battle of Adrianople Germans beat romans * Start taking parts of Rome * Bad emperors in west * Bad economy lets Germans in   Short essay The splitting of the empire * Why do they split * Why does the west fall * How are they different in culture, language * West has bad emperors * East pays people no to invade Emergence of absolute autocracy * Augustus * Power of the emperor Who is the most important person in second triumvirate * Augustus * Sets of empire * What world did he create with reforms * Makes it seem like he is going back to old time values     Dates Edict of toleration 313 AD Founding of Constantinople 330 AD Fall of western Rome (fall of the roman empire) 476 AD Start of the empire 27 BCE When Germans sacked Rome 410 CE??       Study 11-5 to present     Christianity Chronology 64 First persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero 274 Birthdat of Constantine 303 Great Persecution begins and Diocletion issues edict that bans the practice of christianity 312 Constantine embraces christianity after vision 313 Edict of Milan tolerates christians 324 Constantine is sole emperor of Rome 326 Edicts of Constantine against Christian heretics 330 Constantinople "New Rome" 341 Imperial...

Words: 1478 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Power

...or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events. Background * At first Caesar belonged to what is referred to as the First Triumvirate in alliance with another general, Pompey and Crassus, a wealthy patrician. * Caesar had forced his way to dictatorial power and destroyed the republic when Crassus died in battle and Pompey began to entertain ideas of ruling without Caesar, who by then had become dangerously popular. This resulted in a in a civil war in which Caesar defeated Pompey’s forces and entered Rome, triumphant and unchallenged. * Upon his return, Caesar made himself dictator and absolute ruler of Rome and its territories. * In 44 B.C.E. Julius Caesar ordered the senate to make him dictator for life. (Caesar’s actions threatened to end the Republic once and for all. * Fearing this change, a group of senators plotted and executed the murder of Caesar on the Ides of March. * Although the senators succeeded in ending Caesar’s life, they did not realise at that time that the Republic had died with him. Rome would now become an empire. Power Although the biggest argument in Julius Caesar is the change of power in the rulers of Rome, Shakespeare tries to show us many different kinds of power and the use of it. As we can see during the play, people with power use power just for their convenience. During the first part of the play, Shakespeare introduces the characters and the situations. He makes us notice how powerful...

Words: 1279 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Decline of the Roman Republic

...During the last century BC the Roman Republic was in turmoil, civil wars had wrecked the country, and out of these conflicts came a powerful dictator the general known as Sulla. Sulla took power through corruption and violence. His dictatorship was characterised by the constitutional reforms that he tried to implement in order to prevent future violence, and paradoxically to retain the traditional Roman power distribution. These reforms did not create an environment in which the Roman Republic was better off, the senate was weakened and corrupted and he failed to curtail the power that the major generals had gained through the Marian reforms. Furthermore he damaged the republic by setting a precedent for future leaders to follow when he marched on Rome with his own army, an example which would be followed by generals such as Caesar. Whilst there was a certain inevitability surrounding the fall of the Roman Republic, some scholars believe that through concerted efforts to reduce the power of the military Sulla could have saved the Republic. Sulla’s reforms, whilst they were able to be enforced by him, curbed the violence and made the Roman Republic a more civil society, however, once he was no longer around the Republic reverted back to violence and instability. This shows that these reforms lacked popular following and there was no longevity in them. Sulla’s dictatorship, though brief, made many changes to the Roman system that would not remain in place after his leadership ended...

Words: 2398 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Roman Study Guide

...1) The two legends are that there were brothers Romulus and Remus who were raised by a wolf. While Romulus was building a wall for Rome, Remus mocked him and got killed. Then, Romulus went on to become the first ruler of Rome. The second legend was that a Trojan hero named Aeneas sailed down the Tiber after the Trojan war and the local king gave him his daughter in marriage and he united the people. 2) They were the cruel ruling Etruscan family. 3) A republic is a state or country where the ruler is elected by the people and the citizens have the right to vote. 4) The Roman military were well-trained who were organized into legions. They were happy to fight. 5) 6,000-10,000 soldiers were in a legion. 6) The Roman Confederation was a system where people got citizenship under the Roman law. 7) A Roman dictator is a ruler with absolute control in an emergency situation. In an empire it isn't just for an emergency. 8) Cininnatus was a former consul who ran a farm. He was called to be dictated when Rome was surrounded by enemies. He surrounded the enemies overnight and stopped supplies from coming in. 9) There were the patricians and the plebians. The patricians were wealthy land-owning citizens. The plebians were the commoners, so basically everyone else. 10) The tree branches were the senate, assembly, and consul. 11) They revolted because the patricians didn't tell them the laws and the plebians couldn't run office. What happened was that the plebians got to run assembly...

Words: 1945 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Identity Theft

...Roman Period Early History * 1000 BC - Latins begin to settle in Italy. * 753 BC - The city is allegedly founded in this year by Romulus and Remus. * 750 BC - Tarpeia besieges cities, and hands it over to the Sabines * 700 BC - Near Rome, the Etruscan civilization more or less begins. * 659 BC - The enemy city of Alba Longa is destroyed by the Romans. * 616 BC - The first Etruscan king of Rome, Tarquinius Priscus establishes a Forum and a Circus Maximus. * c.600 BC - Cloaca Maxima is probably first built around this year. * 578 BC - Servius Tullius becomes the next Etruscan king of Rome * 565 BC - Servian Walls are built. * 534 BC - King Servius is assassinated. * 510 BC - Temple of Jupiter on the Capitol is completed and consecrated. * 509 BC - Lucius Brutus founds the republic and expels the Etruscans and Tarquin the Proud from Rome. * 508 BC - A Treaty is made between Rome and Carthage. * 507 BC - The famous war against the Etruscans begins, featuring hero Horatio. Republic * 499 BC - A battle against foreign tribes commences, including the construction of the Temple of Castor and Pollux. * 396 BC - The Etruscan city of Veio is defeated by the Romans * 390 BC - Rome is sacked by the Gauls after the Battle of the Allia * 380 BC - The once destroyed Servian Wall is reconstructed. * 312 BC - The Via Appia and Aqua Appia are constructed. * 264 - 241 BC - First Punic War * 220 BC - Via Flamina is...

Words: 2326 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Octavian's Rise In Government

...This paper will explore Octavian’s rise to power in government as well as his methods for retaining control over the Roman Empire. Also, I hope to discover how Octavian’s bold actions affected the population of Roman civilization. Octavius won power over the people by fighting in many wars and gaining in rank, especially in the Battle of Actium, which with victory solidified his role as a leader. He had only to gain the affection and trust of the people, so he maintained Roman traditions and befriended the Senate. Because of this tact, Octavian gained more influence over the government and people. Octavian strongly advocated for expansionism and, with the support of the senate and his army, conquered most of the countries around the mediterranean sea. Not only was Octavian a warrior, but an excellent diplomat as well. Though, as a result of his great influence over the people, Octavian was renamed as Augustus Caesar and became the first emperor in Rome. Octavian had developed a new means of government that satisfied himself and the people of Rome, and with this new empire, Octavian paved the way for later rulers to build up the might of Rome. Early Life: Gaius Octavius, who would later be known as Caesar Augustus, came...

Words: 1415 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Intertestament Period

...Testament to the New Testament is strange and considerably confusing. Without knowing what took place in the “silent years”, it very well can be a difficult task to make the leap from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The Old Testament world looks and sounds completely different from the world the New Testament describes, however, the same spirit inspired the writings of both canons. It must be known to the reader that the Old and New Testaments complement each other. In order to get the full understanding and the entire picture of God’s Word, you must understand them together. But, in order to understand them together, there is the time period of 400 years that are not included. This 400 year time frame plays a huge part in understanding how the two different worlds of the Old and New Testaments come together to make a comprehensive story. The “Intertestamental Period” is a short amount of time in relativity to the rest of Biblical history, but this short time frame sets the stage for the New Testament. The period between the Old and New Testament can very well be called a transition period that introduces the “Gentile” world firmly in the Jewish culture. The Old Testament law and style of worship would never be the same, and the prophets of the Old Testament had predicted as such. This time period also encompassed the same period of the Second Temple which...

Words: 2509 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Foundation Review

...Review: Foundations Test #2 2012 What defines a classical society? Similarities and differences between them? (article) What is the definitions AND significance of the following? Rome Etruscans Latins Republic Greeks- influence? Patrician Legions Plebeian Senate Consuls Centuriate Assembly Tribal Assembly Tribunes Veto- Who had it? Praetors- How many? Twelve Tables Citizenship- who had it? Women? Times of emergency, who ruled? “Real Power” Geography? Punic Wars Hannibal? Scipio? Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus? Civil War Period? Shift from Republic to Empire? Describe Loyalty of soldier? Julius Caesar Triumvirate Crassus Pompey Ides of March Octavian? Augustus? Pax Romana? Trade system? Basis? Succession to throne? Gladiators? Entertainment? Problems with Empire? Why the Fall-specifics? Diocletian? Constantine? Huns? Germanic invasions? Attila? Byzantine Empire Romulus Augustulus? Virgil? Roman Achievements? The major contribution to Western CIF.? Dates of Republic/Empire/Byzantine Trajan? Arch/Architecture? Infrastructure? Greatest Roman Legacy? Gupta Major accomplishments of each Empire? Mauryan Chandragupta Maurya? Indian geography? Invasions into India? Arthashastra Ashoka Maurya? Kautilya? Buddhism and Hinduism? Brahmin? Collapse? Patriarchal/Matriarchal? Chandra Gupta? White Huns? Tamil? Trade patterns/partners...

Words: 597 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Intertestamental Period

...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Inter-Testament Period Paper A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. DEREK R. BROWN IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE NBST 525 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BY Donald Reul LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA November 1, 2012 Contents Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………. 1 Alexander the Great ……………………………………………………………………. 1 Dividing the Empire…………………………………………………………………… 4 Ptolemaic Dynasty ……………………………………………………………………. 4 Seleucid Dynasty …………………………………………………………………….. 6 Antiochus Epiphanies ………………………………………………………………. 8 Maccabean Period …………………………………………………………………… 10 Mattathias ………………………………………………………………….. 10 Jonathan ……………………………………………………………………. 12 Simon ……………………………………………………………………….. 13 John Hyrcanus ……………………………………………………………… 14 Aristoblus ……………………………………………………………………. 15 Alexander Jannaeus …………………………………………………………. 16 Aristobulus II ………………………………………………………………… 17 The Roman Period ……………………………………………………………………. 18 Antipater II …………………………………………………………………… 18 Phasael ………………………………………………………………………. 19 Herod the Great ……………………………………………………………… 19 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………….. 21 Introduction Gaining insights into the “Inter-Testament Period” provides New Testament readers with a heightened perception of the world into which Jesus came. The interval between the final words spoken by Malachi and the New Testament narrative has often been referred to as the “four hundred silent years”. It...

Words: 7681 - Pages: 31

Premium Essay

Julius Caesar Analysis W/ Study Questions

... ·  1599, in London date of first publication  · Published in the First Folio of 1623, probably from the theater company’s official promptbook rather than from Shakespeare’s manuscript publisher  · Edward Blount and William Jaggard headed the group of five men who undertook the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio narrator  · None climax  · Cassius’s death (V.iii), upon ordering his servant, Pindarus, to stab him, marks the point at which it becomes clear that the murdered Caesar has been avenged, and that Cassius, Brutus, and the other conspirators have lost in their attempt to keep Rome a republic rather than an empire. Ironically, the conspirators’ defeat is not yet as certain as Cassius believes, but his death helps bring about defeat for his side. protagonists  · Brutus and Cassius antagonists  · Antony and Octavius setting (time)  ·  44 b.c. setting (place)  · Ancient Rome, toward the end of the Roman republic point of view  · The play sustains no single point of view; however, the audience acquires the most insight into Brutus’s mind over the course of the action falling action  · Titinius’ realization that Cassius has died wrongly assuming defeat; Titinius’ suicide; Brutus’s discovery of the two corpses; the final struggle between Brutus’s men and the troops of Antony and Octavius; Brutus’s self-impalement on his sword upon recognizing that his side is doomed; the discovery of Brutus’s body by Antony and Octavius tense  · Present foreshadowing  · The play...

Words: 22331 - Pages: 90

Free Essay

Missions Paper

...17 books Genesis-Esther, of our English Bibles? Genesis 1-11 more or less serves as the introduction to the whole Bible. Themes developed throughout the rest of scripture begin here. The Old Testament serves as a schoolmaster into the New and therefore requires extensive hours of study and comprehension to grasp what was happening under the law during Old Testament time. It cannot be studied without considering the influence of worldly events. Combined, the Old Testament and secular history merge to form a tapestry revealing God’s plan for humanity. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief history of the Second Temple Period beginning with the Persian Period and Israel’s return from exile and end with the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70. This paper will also address how various events, individuals, and groups impacted the Jews and the land of Israel leading up to and during the time of Christ. In the Second part of the research we will look at Alexander the Great highlight the event, person, group, ideology in depth while explaining how it affected the first century world of the Jews and their expectation of the Messiah. The Second Temple period, also referred to as the Intertestamental Period lasted from 515 BC when Zerubbabel rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem to AD 70 when it was destroyed by the Roman Empire, and includes Christ’s Earthly ministry. The sects of...

Words: 2345 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Intertestamental Period

...dramatically impacted the New Testament leading up to and during the time of Christ. This paper will explore the roughly 400 years that make up this era and examine the role that Herod the Great played in shaping the religious and political groups Jesus encountered. THE INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD The last sections of the Old Testament illustrate Darius the Persian as the ruler over Persia. At the time Judea was part of the Persian Empire. In 597 B.C. Judea was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar who was the King of Babylon this ended Jewish independence. Nebuchadnezzar had decided to take certain knowledgeable Jews into captivity. It was there in Babylon the Prophet Ezekiel began working on this particular group to teach them and instruct them on how to provide the necessary leadership it would take to replace those who had fallen in Jerusalem. Since there was no temple for the Jews many of them came together to learn and practice the Law. Teachers of the Law became the new spiritual leadership for the...

Words: 2964 - Pages: 12