Pompey and the Pirates

By the first century BC, Rome had managed to establish itself as the uncontested master of the Mediterranean - controlling the sea from Spain (Hispania) to the Aegean and beyond. Although Roman military might had successfully fought its way through all challengers, Rome faced a very different proposition when it came to that of its latest challenge in the 60s BC - piracy.

Piracy in the Roman World

Piracy was nothing new to the Romans. Pirates had remained a constant threat in the Mediterranean throughout various points in history - disrupting trade, taking slaves and holding prominent prisoners for ransom. However, in the 2nd century BC, Roman conquest in the eastern Mediterranean had left a power vacuum that pirates were able to exploit and subsequently expand their operations. The conquest of Rhodes by Rome, a state that had previously acted as a counter to piracy in the region, had allowed piracy to pick up pace during this period. In particular, Cilicia (in modern day Turkey) had built a fearsome reputation for its links to piracy by the first century. Even a young Julius Caesar was blindsided by pirates - having been captured and ransomed whilst travelling in the East (although, in typical Caesar fashion, he later kept his promise to his captors - having them captured and then crucified after his release).

Despite this, Roman interest in combating piracy peaked only when the situation began to impact their own bottom line. By the 60s BC, the disrupting influence of piracy on trade was having an effect on Rome’s corn supply. This disruptive influence towards such a fundamental aspect of Roman society was not something those in Rome were willing to accept - in turn providing the opportunity for an unprecedented command to be granted. Whilst earlier campaigns had been undertaken against the pirates across the 1st century BC, in 67 BC it fell to Pompey to end the menace once and for all.

Pompey Takes Command

Pompey had already established a name for himself as a competent military leader and a young rising star prior to 67 BC - but it was his campaign against piracy that would display his talents (and boost his reputation) most clearly. Pompey split the Mediterranean into thirteen different sections, and then divided the sea into two halves - comprising the areas east and west of Sicily. Using this tactic, Pompey was able to rapidly sweep the sea from west to east - pushing pirates into the arms of commanders in each section. After just three months, Pompey had conquered the pirates stronghold in Cilicia and successfully defeated the menace of piracy.

Above: The ancient ruins of Side, modern Turkey - the city was once a hub of ancient piracy. 

Although it should come as no surprise that a man of Pompey’s stature was able to achieve such a feat, it is what followed next that provides the greatest insight into his thought process. Pompey opted to show a great deal of leniency towards those pirates he had defeated - having them resettled and given roles as farmers within their communities. Despite terrorising the seas and causing untold harm to their victims, such a move shows both Pompey’s clemency as a leader, and his ability to plan for the long term. Such a move offered those who had turned to piracy a way out of their predicament, alongside targeting the root of the problem by providing employment and a livelihood to former pirates.

The major impact of this saga was the role it played in propelling Pompey to future greatness. Through his command of the Mediterranean, Pompey was able to build on his earlier successes and truly establish himself as one of the key players in the political scene back in Rome. The speed and energy with which Pompey approached the situation particularly stands out, with future commands in the east against Mithridates to come as a result of his achievement. Whilst the granting of such substantial commands would have wider impacts on the Republics own long term stability, by the end of his campaign Pompey truly appeared deserving of his epithet ‘The Great’.