Download Pompey`s Eastern Command

“Never did any man before Pompey set
forth with so great authority conferred
upon him by the Romans” APPIAN
Mithridates of Pontus
invades Bythinia and
Cappadocia
Phraates, King of
Parthia
Tigranes,
King of
Armenia
Cappadocia,
province of
Rome
Consolidation of the provinces of Pontus, Syria, Asia and Bithynia
• Mithridates used Rome’s preoccupation with
Sertorius , Slaves and Pirates to begin building his
power. He formed an alliance with Tigranes
• In 73BC Lucullus invaded Pontus and destroyed
the country’s army at Cabria. Mithridates was
forced to flee to Armenia
• Lucullus then attacked Armenia and by 68BC had
conquered most of it, when he was faced with a
mutiny of his own soldiers who refused to go on.
He was gradually pushed back by Mithridates.
• Pompey, who with an army of 50,000 men
destroyed the last forces of resistance. Appian
tells us “Never did any man before Pompey set
forth with so great authority conferred upon him
by the Romans”.
• After pursuing him across 3 provinces, but never
engaging in open combat, Mithridates committed
suicide,/ murder organized by his son in law and
the war was at an end.
• Pompey then conquered Armenia, Syria and
Judaea
“Harsh words were spoken....Lucullus still
remaining in Galatia, made distribution of
conquered lands and gave presents to
whatever people he
wished.....Pompey....would also openly speak
in slighting terms of what Lucullus had
done....whereas he himself had a real war to
deal with.”
 After Mithridates suicide in 66BC Pompey
proceeded to the Caucasus region, where he
fought the Albanians and Iberians.
 Sherwin-White argues that these victories were
highly significant for Pompey’s personal glory; he
had previously achieved glory in wars begun by
others. The Caucasian campaign allowed Pompey
to advance beyond the scope of Lucullus’
achievements and into territory where no Roman
army had fought.
 Pompey annexed Syria and organised it as a province.
The conquest involved very little fighting.
 He established two new Provinces Bithynia/Pontus
and Syria and enlarged Cilicia, creating an almost
continuous ring around the coastline from the southern
shores of the Black Sea to Palestine.
 To control its provinces Rome needed local
administrative systems. Pompey established Hellenic
urban centres to administer the territories. This was a
vital element of Pompey’s eastern settlement and
became the model for the Empire
Pompey also intervened to resolve disputes in
Judaea and took Jerusalem by siege,
recognized Hycarnus as high priest and
imposed tribute.
The great strength of Pompeys settlement,
however was flexibility, taking into account
local conditions, maintaining adequate
administrations already in place and taking
advantage of dynasts loyal to Rome
Pompeys conquests served the interests of
Rome, in terms of expansion, security and
wealth.
The Equites benefited on a grand scale by
stabilising the Mediterranean and thus
allowing trade to continue.
New areas provided opportunities for the
financial class to exploit, through tax and
money lending
 “Having settled affairs in the East and made what
arrangements seemed good to him, Pompey started on
his journey home.”
 “Before Pompey arrived all sorts of Rumours about him
were current in Rome and there were scenes of
considerable disturbance. It was thought that he would
immediately lead his army against the city and make
sure of absolute power for himself. Crassus secretly left
Rome taking his money and his children with him.”
 WHAT DOES THIS SUGGEST ABOUT THE ATMOSPHERE
AND MINDSET OF ROME’S ELITE????????????????
It brought him immense personal glory, a
measure of which was his triumph which
exceeded all others
The clientale and wealth now cast Pompey as
Crassus equal in personal fortune.
It was the threat from Pompey’s vast power
and resentment on the part of a few
individuals that produced the staunch
resistance to Pompey on his return.
“Not merely individuals and cities but whole
provinces and kingdoms acknowledged him as
their patron.”
 Pompey’s motives on his return are clearly reflected
in the marriage alliance which he sought with Cato’s
daughter. He sought the approval and support of
optimates, but Cato’s rejection of the marriage
underlined the suspicion of the Senate and their
attempt to limit his power.
 Pompey had also divorced his wife Mucia, daughter of
Metellus Celer, in order to marry Cato’s daughter.
 Lucullus was also encouraged by senators to take a
more active part in politics on Pompeys return.
Lucullus became a prominent voice in blocking the
ratification of the Eastern Settlement
 The Eastern Command exposes a contradiction in
Roman politics, whereby Pompey, in the process of
serving Rome’s interests, became an increasing
threat to the state itself