A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. By various writers. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

POMPEIUS. POMPEIUS. 481
good sense to see, what the short-sightedness of Greece and of the islands, but even of Italy itself,
the majority of the aristocracy blinded them to, and had at length carried their audacity so far as
that further opposition to the people would have to make descents upon the Appian road, and carry
been most injurious to the interests of the aris- off Roman magistrates, with all their attendants
tocracy itself. The law was passed with little and lictors. All communication between"Rome
opposition; for the senate felt that it was worse and the provinces was cut off, or at least rendered
than useless to contend against Pompey, supported extremely dangerous; the fleets of corn-vessels,
as he was by the popular enthusiasm and by his upon which Rome to a great extent depended for
troops, which were still in the immediate neigh- its subsistence, could not reach the city, and the
bourhood of the city. Later in the same year price of provisions in consequence rose enormously.
Pompey also struck another blow at the aristocracy Such a state of things had become intolerable, and
by lending his all-powerful aid to the repeal of all eyes were now directed to Pompey. He, howanother of Sulla's laws. From the time of C. ever, was not willing to take any ordinary comGracchus (B. c. 123) to that of Sulla (B. c. 80), mand, and the scarcity of provisions made the
the judices had been taken exclusively from the people ready to grant him any power he might ask.
equestrian order; but by one of Sulla's laws they Still he was prudent enough not to ask in person
had been chosen during the last ten years from the for such extraordinary powers as he desired, and
senate. The corruption and venality of the latter to appear only to yield to the earnest desires of
in the administration of justice had excited such the people. Accordingly, at the beginning of the
general indignation that some change was cla- year B. c. 67, he got the tribune A. Gabinius, a
morously demanded by the people. Accordingly, man of abandoned character, and whose services he
the praetor L. Aurelius Cotta, with the approbation had probably purchased, to bring forward a bill,
of Pompey, proposed a law by which the judices which was intended to give Pompey almost abwere to be taken in future from the senatus, solute authority over the greater part of the Roman
equites, and tribuni aerarii, the latter probably world. It proposed that the people should elect a
representing the wealthier members of the third man with consular rank, who should possess unorder in the state. (Comp. Madvig, De Tribunis limited and irresponsible power for three years
aerariis, in Opuscula, vol. ii. p. 242,&c.) This law over the whole of the Mediterranean, and to a
was likewise carried; but it did not improve the distance of fifty miles inland fromn its coasts,purity of the administration of justice, since cor- who should have fifteen legates from the senate,
ruption was not confined to the senators, but a fleet of 200 ships, with as many soldiers anti
pervaded all classes of the community alike. In sailors as he thought necessary, and 6000 Attic
carrying both these measures Pompey was strongly talents. The bill did not name Pompey, but it
supported by Caesar, with whom he was thus was clear who was meant. The aristocracy %were
brought into close connection, and who, though he in the utmost alarm, for not only did tlheyi dread
was rapidly rising in popular favour, could as yet the ambition of Pompey, but they feared that he
only hope to weaken the power of the aristocracy might interfere with many of their friends and
through Pompey's means. relatives, who held provinces which would come
Pompey had thus broken with the aristocracy, under his imperiaum, and probably spoil their pl1is
and had become the great popular hero. On the for making their fortunes by the plunder of the
expiration of his consulship he dismissed his army, provincials. Accordingly, they resolved to offer
which he no longer needed for the purpose of over- the most vigorous opposition to the bill. In tl;e
awing the senate, and for the next two years (B. C. senate Caesar was almost the only member of the
69 and 68) he remained in Rome, as he had pre- senate who came forward in its support. Party.
viously declared that he would not accept a pro- spirit ran to such a height that the most serious
vince. Having had little or no experience in civil riots ensued. The aristocracy, headed by the
affairs, he prudently kept aloof during this time from consul C. Piso, made an attack upon Gabinils,
all public matters, and appeared seldom in public, who, in danger of his life, fled for refulge to the
and then never without a large retinue,, in order people; and they, in their turn, led on by Gabito keep up among the people the feelings of re- nius, assaulted the senate-house, and would prospectful admiration with which they had hitherto bably have sacrificed the consul to their fury, had
regarded him. Pompey did not possess the diver- not Gabinius effected his rescue, dreading the
sified talents of Caesar: he was only a soldier, odium which such a catastrophe would have occabut he showed no small good sense in abstaining sioned. Even Pompey himself was threatened by
from meddling with matters which he did not the consul, " If you emulate Romulus, you will
understand. But the necessities of the common- not escape the end of Romulus." When the day
wealth did not allow him to remain long in inactivity. came for putting the bill to the vote, Pompey
The Mediterranean sea was at this time swarming affected to be anxious for a little rest, and entreated
with pirates. From the earliest times down to the the people to appoint another to the command, but
present day piracy has more or less prevailed in this piece of hypocrisy deceived no one. Q. Cattuthis sea, which, lying as it does between three lus and Q. IHortensias spoke against the bill with
continlents, and abounding with numerous creeks great eloquence, but with no effect. Thereupon
and islands, presents at the same time both the the tribune L. Trebellius, whom the aristocracy
greatest temptations and the greatest facilities for had gained over, placed his veto upon the voting;
piratical pursuits. Moreover, in consequence of the and as no threats nor entreaties could induce him!
civil wars in which the Romans had been engaged, to withdraw his opposition, Gabinius proposed
and the absence of any fleet to preserve order upon that he should be deprived of his tribuneship.
the sea, piracy had reached an alarming height. Even then it was not till seventeen out of the
The pirates possessed fleets in all parts of the thirty-five tribes had voted for his degradation,
Mediterranean, were in the habit of plundering that Trebellitus gave way, and withdrew his veto,,
the most wealthy cities on the coasts, not only of IL was now too late ill the day to come to ally
VOL. III. I I