ROLE OF GNAEUS AND THE SEXTUS OF POMPEII IN THE EVENTS OF THE CIVIL WAR IN ROME (49-45 BC)

ROLE OF GNAEUS AND THE SEXTUS OF POMPEII IN THE EVENTS OF THE CIVIL WAR IN ROME (49-45 BC)

Vladislav Lenchuk

student, Higher School of Economics,

 Russia, Moscow

The age of Roman civil wars in the 1st centuary B.C. is undoubtedly one of the most important time period of Ancient Roman history. It was the main reason that shaped and defined the future development of roman world and prepared the birth of a ROMAN EMPIRE. Reseasrchers focused a lot on key personalities of the era such as: Caesar, Cicero, Sulla, Octavian etc. And while all of them played a significant role in a mentioned period we would like to focus on less studied personalities such as sons of Pompey Magn - Gnaeus (near 80 B.C. – 45 B.C.) and Sextus (between 68 – 66 B.C. – 35 B.C.) [10, p. 192]

After crushing defeat at Pharsalus (9 August 48 B.C.) it seemed that republican cause was completely defeated, but after immediate success Caesar had to struggle in two difficult campaigns in Africa (47-48 B.C.) and in Spain (46 – 45 B.C.)

Sources don’t provide us with any information about Pompeys sons childhood, but we can assume that they both had a good education that was common among young noble romans. Sextus spend a lot of time on Lesbos with Pompeys wife Cornelia. But it didn’t last long, thigs rapidly changed after Pharsalus and Sextus had to flee with his father to Egypt where he witnessed his death. With Cornelia and the remaining followers of Pompey they sailed to Cercira. From there they headed to Africa with Cato (App., Hist. Rom, II, 87). Gnaeus was an elder son and he already knew basics in warfare, therefore when conflict between Caesar and Pompey started he was entrusted with fleet command. Then he travelled to Syria with Scipio where he took the command over the army loyal to his father.

Gnaeus Pompey had the opportunity to prove himself even before major battle of Pharsalus. Caesar in his «Commentarii de Bello Civili» describes how Gnaeus lead his fleet into Oricum, where Caesar left garrison and warships from Italy. Caesar described that raid as a «high class» military action. Although Oricum was well fortified Gnaeus was able to perform a succsefull attack. Caesar describes events in Oricum with admiration: «so that fighting as it were from an eminence, and sending fresh men constantly to relieve the fatigued, and at the same time attempting the town on all sides by land, with ladders and his fleet, in order to divide the force of his enemies» (Caes., B. C., III, 39-40). Gnaeus Pompey achieved the success he had captured four ships the rest put to fire. The next step was the assault on Lissus island, by Caesar account Marc Antony had left 30 ships there all of which were burnt by Gnaeus. After sieging the town for three days Gnaeus had to retreat failing to overcome the defending garrison and citizens (Caes., B. C.,III, 39-40)

The death of Pompey Magn in Egypt where he headed after Pharsalus weakened the republican party (App., Hist. Rom II, 84). The most of Pompeians fled to Africa (including Gnaeus and Sextus) where they could join forces with Numidian king Juba a trustworthy ally as they thought. Lacking unity in republican camp was an issue [9, p. 445]. Gnaeus tried to become the leader of an army counting on his origin and experience in warfare. But instead, leadership gone to Scipio (Vell. Pat., Hist., LIV)

Y.B.Tsirkin assumes that Scipio send Gnaeus in Spain to get rid of his main competitor for power [10, p. 193]. But while on his way to Spain Gnaeus had performed several military operations. What had led to such a delay? In Caesar «Commentarii de Bello Civili» we can find an interesting fragment where Cato inspires Gnaeus to perform something worthy of his father glory: «Your father, when he was at your age, and observed the commonwealth oppressed by wicked and daring men, and the party of order either slain or driven into banishment from their country and relations, incited by the greatness of his mind and the love of glory, though then very young, and only a private man, had yet the courage to rally the remains of his father's army, and assert the freedom of Italy and Rome, which was almost crushed forever. He also recovered Sicily, Africa, Numidia, Mauritania, with amazing dispatch, and by that means gained an illustrious and extensive reputation among all nations and triumphed while very young and only a Roman knight. Nor did he enter upon the administration of public affairs, distinguished by the shining exploits of his father, or the fame and reputation of his ancestors, or the honors and dignities of the state. Will you, on the contrary, possessed of these honors, and the reputation acquired by your father, sufficiently distinguished by your own industry and greatness of mind, not bestir yourself, join your father's friends, and give the earnestly required assistance to yourself, the republic, and every man of worth? » (Caes., De bello,22).

It may be the case that ambitions of Gnaesus fueled by Cato praise led him to some military gamble in Mauritania where he failed to take the town of Ascurum by force. Gnaesus had to retreat suffering a shameful loss. After that he sailed straight to Balearean Isles (Ibid.,23)

Gnaeus departure from Africa turned out to be a lucky сoincidence, because soon after it the republican party was crushed by Caesar in Africa. Scipio was leading the army to Thapsus in an attempt to force a general battle. This battle can be marked as the turning point in African war. After his victory Caesar headed to Utica where Cato one of the most ideological republicans ended his life (Caes., de Bello Africo, 93; App., Hist. Rom, II, 99). Scipio attempted to flee into Spain by ships but was intercepted by P. Sitius in that battle the remaining of republicans perished (Caes., de Bello Africo, 93; App., Hist. RomII, 99). An immediate results of African war were: death of almost all Pompeians leaders and transformation of Numidian kingdom ruled by Juba into roman province – Numidia.

During this event in Africa young Gnaesus Pompey founded his foothold in Spain. After taking New Carthago with Scapula help Gnaesus became the leader of Pompeians in Spain. There he gathered a large army, he was the banner around which scattered forces of republican party gathered. His younger brother Sextus joined him as well. (App., Hist. Rom., II,103).

In Spain Pompeys sons found a huge support. In addition to roman soldiers that were left after Pharsalus and African war Gnaeus had a lot of Iderians and Celtiberian in his troops [7, p. 68].

Antic historians were impressed with military preparations of Pompeys sons in Spain. Plutarch notes that despite their young age and lack of experience they managed to put Caesar in highly dangerous position (Plut., Caes., 56). Velleius Paterculus describing the battle of Munda noted: « sed nullum umquam atrocius periculosiusque ab eo initum proelium » (Vell. Pat., Hist LV). Appian was calmer with his description, only stating that this chain of events should not be unnoticed (App., Hist. Rom., II, 103).

Caesar headed to Spain after he celebrated his African triumph in Rome. 27 days after his departure he was on Perinean peninsula полуострова (App., Hist. RomII, 103). A defector from Corduba managed to get to Caesar and informed him that the town could be swiftly taken as no one expected Caesar so early (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 2).

Sextus Pompey was the commander of a garrison force in Corduba, one of the main towns in province. Gnaeus meanwhile was sieging Улию that was on Caesar side. Perhaps it was the only town in SpainА supporting Caesar cause.

Caesar was aware of the location of the armies of the two brothers. He sent a detachment of soldiers to Uli against Gnaeus to detain him there. Caesar himself went to Corduba to fight with Sextus Pompey. The battle was easy for Caesar, he forced Sex to return to Koduba. Y.B. Tsikin noted in the commentary to the translation of Caesar (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 4) that Sextus commanded not the Pompeian legion, but the militia.

Sextus Pompey sent a letter to his brother. He asked for help. Gnaeus Pompeius was forced to lift the siege of Uli. The problem was that he had spent a lot of energy on the siege.

It seems Caesar was one step ahead of Sextus and Gnaeus. Caesar disrupted their plans because he fortified a military camp on the Betis River. Gnaeus was late and took a less advantageous tactical position. Caesar had a simple plan: He wanted to intercept supplies to Gnaeus' camp. Pompey saw through Caesar's plan and moved his army to the bridge, which served as access to supplies. (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 5).

Small battles have begun over who will own the bridge. We quote the following: " Hic alternis non solum morti mortem exaggerabant, sed tumulos tumulis exaequabant» (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 5).  Caesar wanted to force a general battle, so he sought to return to Corbuba.

Caesar failed to capture Corduba, but with a quick movement he sent the army to Ateguya. Ateguya was one of the main bases of Pompey's army. (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 6). Gnaeus Pompeius followed Caesar and set up camp near Ateguya. The situation was like the one that occurred on the Betis River. According to Caesar, this area of Spain was difficult to attack - Gnaeus Pompey took an excellent position (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 8).

Gnaeus Pompey conducted an unsuccessful military operation. He failed to capture the fortress, which was located on a Postumius`s hill. Gnaeus Pompeius was forced to return to Corduba.

Caesar began to pursue Gnaeus, who was retreating to Corduba. Caesar's soldiers seized the supply train along with Pompey's soldiers. They tried to pass themselves off as slaves. Quintus Marcius and Gaius Fundanius defected from Pompey's camp to Caesar.

Pompey lost the battles at the Soli River and near Ateguya. This was the reason for the desertion of soldiers from Pompey's army. As a result, Caesar captured Ateguya. The locals played a key role. They opened the gates for Caesar's army.

Gnaeus Pompey did not lose faith in his army and continued military operations against Caesar. The main aim for Gnaeus Pompey was to preserve the city of Kupi. For Pompey, it was impossible to lose this city, as well as Ateguya.

Pompey's desire to keep the city under his control led to the fact that he was defeated at the fortress of Aspavia. If at the initial stage of the war Gnaeus managed to defeat Caesar, then during this period Caesar inflicted one defeat after another on Pompey's army.

The Battle of Munda took place on March 17, 45 BC. Pompey had 13 legions against Caesar's 8 legions. (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 30). Even Caesar did not believe in winning this battle. Because Pompey had a good position on the hill. However, with the help of the tenth Legion, Caesar managed to seize the initiative in the battle - the cavalry hit the left flank of the Pompeians. Appian described this passage more dramatically. He wrote that Caesar ran ahead of the troops and encouraged his army. (App., Hist. RomII, 104). Pompey's army took to flight. However, no one was able to escape. The cavalry killed most of the fleeing. We have data that the losses amounted to about thirty thousand on the part of Pompey. We have data that the losses amounted to about thirty thousand on the part of Pompey. Nevertheless, Caesar believed that this battle was one of the most difficult in his life. (App., Hist. RomII, 104). The remnants of Pompey's army fled to Corduba. Gnaeus Pompey himself fled to Karta, where his fleet was stationed.

Caesar went to Corduba, where Sextus Pompeius was. Sextus Pompey was not going to surrender to Caesar. Sextus with a small detachment went to Celtiberia. Caesar easily defeated the detachments of Sextus at Corduba. The losses of the Pompeians amounted to about 22 thousand. (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 34).

The end of Caesar's campaign in Spain was the events in the Carteia. There, as already mentioned, Gnaeus Pompey hid. However, Pompey's command ceased to obey. A mutiny began inside the Pompeian army. Gnaeus Pompey again had to escape by ships. Gaius Didius pursued Gnaeus and burned his ships. Gnaeus Pompeius was trapped. He had to take refuge in the interior of the mainland. Everything was complicated by the fact that Gnaeus had been wounded earlier. Caesennius Lenton managed to catch up with Gnaeus and killed him [10, p. 195]. And so, Pompey the Great's son Gnaeus Pompey the Younger ended his life (Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 37).

Appian writes in less detail about this event. We do not find any ships in his books. But Appian describes in detail the wound that Gnaeus received. Combining these two sources, we get a plausible picture (App., Hist. Rom II, 105; Caes., de Bello Hispaniensi, 39).

The war in Spain showed that Gnaeus Pompey was one of Caesar's strongest rivals. Gnaeus and Sextus managed to gather a large army that was able to fight with Caesar's army with dignity. Most of Pompey's army consisted of slaves and native tribes. Perhaps this was one of the reasons for the brothers' defeat. The morale of the army of Gnaeus Pompey was too fragile and a couple of small defeats completely broke the morale of the natives and slaves.

Caesar did not stay in Spain after his Spanish company and returned to Rome in October 45 BC [7, p. 69].

Sextus Pompeius, who had previously managed to take refuge in the mountains, and then in Celtiberia remained one of the last leaders of the Republicans. After the death of his brother, it was he who gathered around him all the escaped and surviving allies of Pompey and Caesar's opponents. So, according to Y.B. Tsirkin, even local kings, such as the Arabians, came to him from Africa [10, p. 196]. This suggests that at that time there were no other forces that were able to resist Caesar openly.

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