Gnaeus Pompeius (d. 45 BC)

Biography

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus was a Roman politician and general from the late Republic.

Timeline

The story of Gnaeus Pompeius, told in moments.

75 BC Birth

Born Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, eldest son of Pompey the Great and his third wife Mucia Tertia. Grew up during his father's years of supreme military glory in Rome.

Growing up during your father's supreme military glory. Was that inspiring or crushing? Did you ever doubt you'd inherit his war?

49 BC Event

Commanded part of his father's fleet when civil war broke out with Caesar. He was barely into his twenties. His father trusted him with the eastern Mediterranean navy.

Commanding the fleet at barely twenty. Were you ready? Civil war with Caesar. Did you understand the stakes?

48 BC Event

Fought at the Battle of Pharsalus, where Caesar crushed his father's army. After the defeat, father and son fled separately. Pompey the Great sailed for Egypt and was murdered on arrival.

Your father murdered in Egypt after Pharsalus. Did you see it coming? Fleeing separately. Did you wish you'd stayed together?

46 BC Life

Gathered the remnants of the Pompeian cause in Hispania. Built an army from his father's veterans, local Spanish allies, and fugitives from the Senate's lost cause. He controlled most of southern Spain.

Building an army from veterans and fugitives in Spain. Was that desperation or defiance? Controlling most of southern Spain. Did you feel like a ruler or a rebel?

45 BC Event

Faced Caesar at the Battle of Munda in southern Spain. The fighting was so desperate that Caesar later said he'd fought many times for victory but at Munda he fought for his life.

Caesar said at Munda he fought for his life. Does that satisfy you? Making Caesar desperate. Was that your greatest achievement?

45 BC Death

Killed while fleeing after Munda. Found hiding in a cave, wounded. His head was brought to Caesar. He was around 30. His younger brother Sextus kept fighting for another decade.

Found hiding in a cave at thirty. Was running worse than fighting? Your brother kept fighting for a decade. Would you have done the same?