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by Lee Fratantuono.
Hardback (6.5×9.5 inches). 366 pages. 2024.
This is the first of two volumes about Pompey the Great, known for initial military victories and later military defeats. A one-time equal to Julius Caesar and Crassus, he ultimately came out on the losing end of the Roman Civil War versus Caesar.
Born on Sep 29, 106BC and died on Sep 28, 48BC, he learned the art of Roman military and political power and went on to restoring Roman rule in Iberia, defeating the pirates across the Mediterranean Sea, and crushing rebellious kings and foreign invasions in the East. When he disbanded his army upon returning to Italy, he was at the height of his power and popularity.
It was all triumphs and accolades until it wasn’t. Then came Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon River. While Pompey’s strategy may have been sound given the forces available, and his army even beat Caesar’s army in Greece once, he was never able to exploit the victory. Assassination ended his life in Egypt.
This sympathetic biography offers a smooth read through his ambitious life, complete with analysis of his political decisions. When ancient sources contradict, several options are examined, including the most likely actions taken. Political aspects receive far more attention than military action, but both are weighed against particular influences of the specific period in time. It’s all quite well reasoned.
One nit: Every so often, he fumbles out of the biography and enters into an academic argument quoting theories from one historian, academic, or another. It’s not excessively bad, but it is noticeable. He writes so well that such interruptions are unwelcome.
The book contains zero images. No photos, no maps, no illustrations — no nuthin’.
The second book will cover the sons of Pompey. I look forward to it.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
