the Life of Sextus Pompey
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Birth name:
Born: Died: Cause of death: Era: Political affiliation: Major conflicts: |
Sextus Pompeius Magnus Pius
67 BC 35 BC - Miletus, Anatolia (aged 34) Execution Roman Republic None Caesar's Civil War, Sicilian Revolt |
Early Life (67-44 BC)
Sextus Pompeius was the youngest son of Pompey the Great and his third wife, Mucia. The early life of Sextus is largely unknown as he and his brother, Gnaeus Pompeius, were often in Rome while their father was away campaigning, winning wars and earning himself triumphs. It would be a hard legacy for either boy to follow as Pompey the Great was one of Rome's most distinguished figures ever.
When Caesar's civil war threatened to engulf Rome itself, Pompey and his entourage fled to the east where they would regroup. Sextus remained in Rome while his elder brother accompanied his father. Caesar defeated his father at the battle of Pharsalus, with Pompey subsequently fleeing to Egypt to seek refuge. Sextus and his step-mother set sail to meet him there. However it was a trap - Sextus watched from his boat as his father stepped on the shores of Egypt and was murdered by the very people he thought would help him.
Despite being young, Sextus wanted revenge against Caesar who he blamed for his father's death. He joined his brother and other prominent figures, such as Cato the Younger and Metellus Scipio, who were still fighting against Caesar across the provinces of the Republic - particularly in Africa. His dream was short lived however, as Cato and Scipio were swiftly defeated at the battle of Thapsus in modern day Tunisia, both committing suicide.
Sextus and his brother sailed for Hispania where they met with the veteran commander Titus Labienus and engaged Caesar at the Battle of Munda. The battle marked the end of Caesar's civil war, with Caesar crushing the last of his opposition. Titus Labienus and Gnaeus Pompeius were killed and Sextus was spared, but fled to live a life of piracy.
When Caesar's civil war threatened to engulf Rome itself, Pompey and his entourage fled to the east where they would regroup. Sextus remained in Rome while his elder brother accompanied his father. Caesar defeated his father at the battle of Pharsalus, with Pompey subsequently fleeing to Egypt to seek refuge. Sextus and his step-mother set sail to meet him there. However it was a trap - Sextus watched from his boat as his father stepped on the shores of Egypt and was murdered by the very people he thought would help him.
Despite being young, Sextus wanted revenge against Caesar who he blamed for his father's death. He joined his brother and other prominent figures, such as Cato the Younger and Metellus Scipio, who were still fighting against Caesar across the provinces of the Republic - particularly in Africa. His dream was short lived however, as Cato and Scipio were swiftly defeated at the battle of Thapsus in modern day Tunisia, both committing suicide.
Sextus and his brother sailed for Hispania where they met with the veteran commander Titus Labienus and engaged Caesar at the Battle of Munda. The battle marked the end of Caesar's civil war, with Caesar crushing the last of his opposition. Titus Labienus and Gnaeus Pompeius were killed and Sextus was spared, but fled to live a life of piracy.
A coin bearing the image of Sextus Pompey. 42-40 BC. By Borsanova, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19481024
Piracy (44-39 BC)
Sextus sailed to Sicily where he became a rebel of the state, forming a band of pirates with the aim of bringing Rome to its knees. Back in Rome, Caesar was killed by a conspiracy lead by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus on the Ides of March 44 BC. In the wake of Caesar's death the power vacuum was filled by the Second Triumvirate, an alliance formed by Caesar's great-nephew Octavian, Mark Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus - all staunch supporters of Caesar. The on-going struggle between the Second Triumvirate and Brutus and Cassius meant that Sextus could take control of all of Sicily virtually unopposed.
Meanwhile, Sextus and his allies were harassing the coast of Italy, intercepting supply lines and causing serious problems for Rome. He managed to blockade Italy's ports halting grain shipments which threatened to starve the nation's populace. Trade and merchant vessels were routinely attacked, their cargo stolen and taken back to Sicily. This made trading with Italy increasingly dangerous, further harming its economy.
More and more people flocked to his cause seeing it as their best chance of escaping the threat of the Second Triumvirate, who persecuted all who opposed them. After the Second Triumvirate defeated Brutus and Cassius as the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, all attention was turned on Sextus himself.
Meanwhile, Sextus and his allies were harassing the coast of Italy, intercepting supply lines and causing serious problems for Rome. He managed to blockade Italy's ports halting grain shipments which threatened to starve the nation's populace. Trade and merchant vessels were routinely attacked, their cargo stolen and taken back to Sicily. This made trading with Italy increasingly dangerous, further harming its economy.
More and more people flocked to his cause seeing it as their best chance of escaping the threat of the Second Triumvirate, who persecuted all who opposed them. After the Second Triumvirate defeated Brutus and Cassius as the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, all attention was turned on Sextus himself.
A temporary truce (39 BC)
The triumvirs launched a series of naval assaults upon Sextus' bases in Sicily but he had prepared well and easily fended off their attacks. If anything, Sextus gained from the conflict as Sardinia was now under his control thanks to the efforts of one of his admirals.
By 39 BC the triumvirs recognised their resources were being wasted and that a truce would suit them better. It was clear neither side could truly win at this moment so they agreed to a truce in what would be known as the Pact of Misenum. The reasoning for the truce from the Triumvirate's perspective was that they were planning a campaign against Parthia and needed every spare resource available. For Sextus, the time provided a welcomed respite and an opportunity to rebuild before their conflict inevitably continued.
As part of the truce Sextus was appointed as governor of Sicily and would be left alone by the triumvirs. In return, he would no longer raid Italy's shipping routes.
By 39 BC the triumvirs recognised their resources were being wasted and that a truce would suit them better. It was clear neither side could truly win at this moment so they agreed to a truce in what would be known as the Pact of Misenum. The reasoning for the truce from the Triumvirate's perspective was that they were planning a campaign against Parthia and needed every spare resource available. For Sextus, the time provided a welcomed respite and an opportunity to rebuild before their conflict inevitably continued.
As part of the truce Sextus was appointed as governor of Sicily and would be left alone by the triumvirs. In return, he would no longer raid Italy's shipping routes.
A silver denarius featuring a galley, a sceptre and a trident. As well as the title of Sextus Pompey. 42-40 BC. By Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=379684
Sicilian Revolt (39-36 BC)
As Sextus predicted, the conflict soon resumed. Antony was fighting his war in Parthia (which ultimately failed) and in the meantime Octavian continued naval assaults on Sextus' coastal bases and ports in Sicily. It's unclear who started the conflict again as both parties blamed the other for ignoring their truce.
Sextus won a victory at the battle of Messina in 37 BC where his navy defeated that of Octavian. Octavian called upon his fellow triumvir Lepidus as well as his good friend Marcus Agrippa - who was an exceptionally talented general, especially in naval warfare. Agrippa prepared a stronger navy than any Sextus had previously faced and successfully defeated him at the battle of Mylae in 36 BC, and once again at Naulochus later that same year. At Naulochus, Sextus' fleet was totally destroyed by Agrippa, causing him to lose Sicily and forcing him to flee to Asia Minor.
Sextus won a victory at the battle of Messina in 37 BC where his navy defeated that of Octavian. Octavian called upon his fellow triumvir Lepidus as well as his good friend Marcus Agrippa - who was an exceptionally talented general, especially in naval warfare. Agrippa prepared a stronger navy than any Sextus had previously faced and successfully defeated him at the battle of Mylae in 36 BC, and once again at Naulochus later that same year. At Naulochus, Sextus' fleet was totally destroyed by Agrippa, causing him to lose Sicily and forcing him to flee to Asia Minor.
Death & Legacy (36 BC)
While fleeing the wrath of Octavian and Agrippa in Asia Minor Sextus was captured in Miletus in 35 BC by the general Marcus Titius, a legate in Antony's forces . Antony's campaign in Parthia had not been going well and was in no mood to spare his enemy, and so ordered Titius to execute Sextus without trial
Following Sextus' death the Second Triumvirate no longer had any enemies and began to turn on each other instead. Vying for power and mastery of the Roman Republic, Octavian accused Lepidus of trying to usurp power in Sicily and had him exiled. Soon after Octavian and Antony turned on one another and after a long war of words faced each other in the Battle of Actium, shortly after which a defeated Antony committed suicide.
Octavian would go on to rule the Roman world becoming the first emperor under the name of Augustus. Sextus was survived by his wife Scribonia and his daughter, Pompeia Magna.
Following Sextus' death the Second Triumvirate no longer had any enemies and began to turn on each other instead. Vying for power and mastery of the Roman Republic, Octavian accused Lepidus of trying to usurp power in Sicily and had him exiled. Soon after Octavian and Antony turned on one another and after a long war of words faced each other in the Battle of Actium, shortly after which a defeated Antony committed suicide.
Octavian would go on to rule the Roman world becoming the first emperor under the name of Augustus. Sextus was survived by his wife Scribonia and his daughter, Pompeia Magna.
Trivia
- Sextus was executed by Antony in Miletus, despite him having once spared Antony's life.