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| − | '''Pompey''' lived from 106 to 48 BC. A competent if not entirely honest politician, he was also a journeyman military commander under the [[Roman Republic|old Republic]]. Both Syria and [[Palestine]] were added to the Roman sphere of influence by armies he led. At first allying with [[Julius Caesar]], he and [[Crassus]] along with Caesar formed the first [[triumvirate]] basically controlling power in Rome with the will of the senate. Pompey even had a marriage bond with Caesar, marrying his daughter.
| + | Was a Pagan. |
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| − | But times changed. Caesar's daughter died in childbirth while Crassus was killed trying to fight the [[Parthia|Parthians]] and Caesar won victory after victory in [[Gaul]]. Concerned and jealous of Caesar, Pompey plotted against him. Pompey had himself elected sole consol in 50 BC and passed laws that would cause Caesar's political and military powers to lapse on March 1st, 49. Caesar couldn't allow this and turned to march into [[Italy]]. No army was allowed into Italy without senate approval, the rubicon river being the boundary that divided Italy from other lands. The phrase [["crossing the Rubicon"]] comes from Caesar's action. The senate declared Caesar a traitor and Pompey raised a large army. Unfortunately for him, he had the misfortune to be facing one of the greatest military geniuses ever. While Pompey had the diplomatic advantage, and control of the Roman navy, he couldn't match Ceasar's skill on the battlefield. In a series of battles Pompey was defeated, finally culminating in the [[battle of pharsalus]] where Pompey's numerically superior forces were completely crushed. Pompey fled to [[Egypt]] followed by Caesar. Trying to get on Caesar's good side, the Egyptians killed Pompey before Caesar arrived.
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