Desperate Times, Desperate Measures - Pompey’s Sole Consulship
By
52 BC, Rome found itself in a state of chaos. Endless bouts of street fighting
between the mobs of two political heavyweights – Milo and Clodius – had
paralyzed the city and left the Senate House in flames. Governmental business
had ground to a standstill, consular elections were suspended, and the city had
become unsafe as the rival mobs wreaked havoc. To many in Rome, the republic
appeared to be under direct threat, and urgent action was demanded in the
Senate. Under these circumstances, an extraordinary step was taken to tackle
the situation – Pompey the Great was established as a sole consul for the year,
giving him an absolute level of power to restore authority in the city. With
the constraints of a consular colleague removed, Pompey was tasked with
confronting these bloodthirsty gangs head on and bringing justice to the people
of Rome. However, whilst such a command may appear truly incredible within the
context of the Roman Republic, as we shall see, this step did not necessarily
prove to be as controversial as initially thought.
The Road to Anarchy
In the 50s BC, political violence was on the rise within Rome. In the increasingly intense backdrop of Roman politics during these years, Clodius - a member of the esteemed Claudian family who had become an expert rabble rouser - and his political rival Milo had both turned to gang warfare. Competing over elections, criminal trials and senatorial debates, the two figures would lead their supporters into open street battles, leaving a trail of blood and destruction wherever they went. The nature of these battles intensified after Milo announced his intention to run for the consulship – with Clodius prepared to go to any length to prevent his arch rival reaching the ultimate prize in Roman politics. Tensions would culminate in 52 BC, when the two sides would clash once more – leading to the death of Clodius. To make matters worse, his mourning allies would take their rage out on the Senate House itself – setting the building ablaze and leaving it to burn. In the aftermath of the clash, Rome was left in a state of confusion, and debate raged in the senate about how to tackle the threat posed by these rival gangs.
Initially, the suggestion in the senate was that a Dictatorship (an emergency position granted in times of direct threat to the state) should be established. Given his authority as a commander, alongside the prestige he held within the senate, Pompey was the name put forward to take up this role. However, figures like Marcus Brutus remained firmly against such a measure – fearing that it would give too much control to one individual and thus risk the republics freedom. The deadlock was finally broken when a senator named Bibulus suggested a compromise: Pompey was not to be appointed as a Dictator, but to be made sole consul for the year. Such a measure was more palatable to conservatives in senate like Cato, whilst still allowing order to be restored.
After taking up his post, Pompey immediately looked to tackle criminal violence. He set up a special court to prosecute the main offenders on charges of violence (Lex De Vi), allowing him to gain the prosecution of Milo. To ensure order was restored, Pompey brought soldiers to the courthouse – thus preventing Milo’s gangs from disrupting proceedings (and perhaps also intimidating his defence team). Charges would also be brought against the allies of Clodius, ensuring both sides faced justice for their hooliganism. Pompey also looked to prevent this level of violence returning in the future, implementing a new law that would tackle electoral corruption and bribery (Lex De Ambitu). For Pompey, it was mission accomplished. The gangs of Milo and Clodius had been brought to justice, and violence in the city was dramatically curbed in the aftermath of his judicial reforms. Even Caesar was complimentary about Pompey’s success – stating “city affairs had been brought to a more agreeable state by the energy of Pompey”.
Nothing to Fear
Whilst on the face of it the sole consulship of Pompey the Great seems extraordinary, as noted by historian Erich Gruen, it worked within the confines of republican institutions. Not only were these types of commands – in which sole power is invested in one individual to overcome an emergency – a tried and tested aspect of Roman history, but Pompey himself quickly made moves to allay any fears that he had tyrannical ambitions. After he restored authority in the city, Pompey would appoint a second consul to serve alongside him – in this case his father in law, Metellus Scipio. He then looked towards next year’s consular elections, sending a clear signal to the senate of his intention to step down and relinquish power. Through his sole consulship, Pompey was able to protect the state from the threat of violence - whilst concerns about a potential breakdown in his relationship with Caesar also came to nothing. Ultimately, order was restored, criminal activity was tackled head on, and (for the time being at least) republican institutions would continue to function. For Pompey, this affair would prove to be an enduring sign of his commitment to the people and senate of Rome.
The Road to Anarchy
In the 50s BC, political violence was on the rise within Rome. In the increasingly intense backdrop of Roman politics during these years, Clodius - a member of the esteemed Claudian family who had become an expert rabble rouser - and his political rival Milo had both turned to gang warfare. Competing over elections, criminal trials and senatorial debates, the two figures would lead their supporters into open street battles, leaving a trail of blood and destruction wherever they went. The nature of these battles intensified after Milo announced his intention to run for the consulship – with Clodius prepared to go to any length to prevent his arch rival reaching the ultimate prize in Roman politics. Tensions would culminate in 52 BC, when the two sides would clash once more – leading to the death of Clodius. To make matters worse, his mourning allies would take their rage out on the Senate House itself – setting the building ablaze and leaving it to burn. In the aftermath of the clash, Rome was left in a state of confusion, and debate raged in the senate about how to tackle the threat posed by these rival gangs.
Initially, the suggestion in the senate was that a Dictatorship (an emergency position granted in times of direct threat to the state) should be established. Given his authority as a commander, alongside the prestige he held within the senate, Pompey was the name put forward to take up this role. However, figures like Marcus Brutus remained firmly against such a measure – fearing that it would give too much control to one individual and thus risk the republics freedom. The deadlock was finally broken when a senator named Bibulus suggested a compromise: Pompey was not to be appointed as a Dictator, but to be made sole consul for the year. Such a measure was more palatable to conservatives in senate like Cato, whilst still allowing order to be restored.
After taking up his post, Pompey immediately looked to tackle criminal violence. He set up a special court to prosecute the main offenders on charges of violence (Lex De Vi), allowing him to gain the prosecution of Milo. To ensure order was restored, Pompey brought soldiers to the courthouse – thus preventing Milo’s gangs from disrupting proceedings (and perhaps also intimidating his defence team). Charges would also be brought against the allies of Clodius, ensuring both sides faced justice for their hooliganism. Pompey also looked to prevent this level of violence returning in the future, implementing a new law that would tackle electoral corruption and bribery (Lex De Ambitu). For Pompey, it was mission accomplished. The gangs of Milo and Clodius had been brought to justice, and violence in the city was dramatically curbed in the aftermath of his judicial reforms. Even Caesar was complimentary about Pompey’s success – stating “city affairs had been brought to a more agreeable state by the energy of Pompey”.
Nothing to Fear
Whilst on the face of it the sole consulship of Pompey the Great seems extraordinary, as noted by historian Erich Gruen, it worked within the confines of republican institutions. Not only were these types of commands – in which sole power is invested in one individual to overcome an emergency – a tried and tested aspect of Roman history, but Pompey himself quickly made moves to allay any fears that he had tyrannical ambitions. After he restored authority in the city, Pompey would appoint a second consul to serve alongside him – in this case his father in law, Metellus Scipio. He then looked towards next year’s consular elections, sending a clear signal to the senate of his intention to step down and relinquish power. Through his sole consulship, Pompey was able to protect the state from the threat of violence - whilst concerns about a potential breakdown in his relationship with Caesar also came to nothing. Ultimately, order was restored, criminal activity was tackled head on, and (for the time being at least) republican institutions would continue to function. For Pompey, this affair would prove to be an enduring sign of his commitment to the people and senate of Rome.
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