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POMPEY
106…48 B。C。
by Plutarch
translated by John Dryden
THE people of Rome seem to have entertained for Pompey from his
childhood the same affection that Prometheus； in the tragedy of
Aeschylus； expresses for Hercules； speaking of him as the author of
his deliverance； in these words：…
〃Ah cruel Sire！ how dear thy son to me！
The generous offspring of my enemy！〃
For on the one hand； never did the Romans give such demonstrations
of a vehement and fierce hatred against any of their generals as
they did against Strabo； the father of Pompey； during whose
lifetime； it is true； they stood in awe of his military power； as
indeed he was a formidable warrior； but immediately upon his death；
which happened by a stroke of thunder； they treated him with the
utmost contumely； dragging his corpse from the bier； as it was carried
to his funeral。 On the other side； never had any Roman the people's
good…will and devotion more zealous throughout all the changes of
fortune； more early in its first springing up； or more steadily rising
with his prosperity； or more constant in his adversity than Pompey
had。 In Strabo； there was one great cause of their hatred； his
insatiable covetousness； in Pompey； there were many that helped to
make him the object of their love； his temperance； his skill and
exercise in war； his eloquence of speech； integrity of mind； and
affability in conversation and address； insomuch that no man ever
asked a favour with less offence； or conferred one with a better
grace。 When he gave； it was without assumption； when he received； it
was with dignity and honour。
In his youth； his countenance pleaded for him； seeming to anticipate
his eloquence； and win upon the affections of the people before he
spoke。 His beauty even in his bloom of youth had something in it at
once of gentleness and dignity； and when his prime of manhood came；
the majesty and kingliness of his character at once became visible
in it。 His hair sat somewhat hollow or rising a little； and this； with
the languishing motion of his eyes； seemed to form a resemblance in
his face； though perhaps more talked of than really apparent； to the
statues of the King Alexander。 And because many applied that name to
him in his youth； Pompey himself did not decline it； insomuch that
some called him so in derision。 And Lucius Philippus； a man of
consular dignity； when he was pleading in favour of him； thought it
not unfit to say； that people could not be surprised if Philip was a
lover of Alexander。
It is related of Flora； the courtesan； that when she was now
pretty old； she took great delight in speaking of her early
familiarity with Pompey； and was wont to say that she could never part
after being with him without a bite。 She would further tell； that
Geminius； a companion of Pompey's； fell in love with her； and made his
court with great importunity； and on her refusing； and telling him；
however her inclinations were； yet she could not gratify his desires
for Pompey's sake； he therefore made his request to Pompey； and Pompey
frankly gave his consent； but never afterwards would have any converse
with her； notwithstanding that he seemed to have a great passion for
her； and Flora； on this occasion； showed none of the levity that might
have been expected of her； but languished for some time after under
a sickness brought on by grief and desire。 This Flora； we are told；
was such a celebrated beauty； that Caecilius Metellus； when he adorned
the temple of Castor and Pollux with paintings and statues； among
the rest dedicated hers for her singular beauty。 In his conduct also
to the wife of Demetrius； his freed servant （who had great influence
with him in his lifetime； and left an estate of four thousand
talents）； Pompey acted contrary to his usual habits； not quite
fairly or generously； fearing lest he should fall under the common
censure of being enamoured and charmed with her beauty； which was
irresistible； and became famous everywhere。 Nevertheless； though he
seemed to be so extremely circumspect and cautious； yet even in
matters of this nature he could not avoid the calumnies of his
enemies； but upon the score of married women； they accused him； as
if he had connived at many things； and embezzled the public revenue to
gratify their luxury。
Of his easiness of temper and plainness； in what related to eating
and drinking； the story is told that； once in a sickness； when his
stomach nauseated common meats； his physician prescribed him a
thrush to eat； but upon search； there was none to be bought； for
they were not then in season； and one telling him they were to be
had at Lucullus's； who kept them all the year round； 〃So then；〃 said
he； 〃if it were not for Lucullus's luxury； Pompey should not live；〃
and thereupon； not minding the prescription of the physician； he
contented himself with such meat as could easily be procured。 But this
was at a later time。
Being as yet a very young man； and upon an expedition in which his
father was commanding against Cinna； he had in his tent with him one
Lucius Terentius； as his companion and comrade； who； being corrupted
by Cinna； entered into an engagement to kill Pompey； as others had
done to set the general's tent on fire。 This conspiracy being
discovered to Pompey at supper； he showed no discomposure at it； but
on the contrary drank more liberally than usual； and expressed great
kindness to Terentius； but about bedtime； pretending to go to his
repose； he stole away secretly out of the tent； and setting a guard
about his father； quietly expected the event。 Terentius； when he
thought the proper time come； rose with his naked sword； and coming to
Pompey's bedside stabbed several strokes through the bedclothes； as if
he were lying there。 Immediately after this there was a great uproar
throughout all the camp； arising from the hatred they bore to the
general； and an universal movement of the soldiers to revolt； all
tearing down their tents and betaking themselves to their arms。 The
general himself all this while durst not venture out because of the
tumult； but Pompey； going about in the midst of them； besought them
with tears； and at last threw himself prostrate upon his face before
the gate of the camp； and lay there in the passage at their feet
shedding tears； and bidding those that were marching off； if they
would go； trample upon him。 Upon which； none could help going back
again； and all； except eight hundred； either through shame or
compassion； repented； and were reconciled to the general。
Immediately upon the death of Strabo； there was an action
commenced against Pompey； as his heir； for that his father had
embezzled the public treasure。 But Pompey； having traced the principal
thefts； charged them upon one Alexander； a freed slave of his
father's； and proved before the judges that he had been the
appropriator。 But he himself was accused of having in his possession
some hunting tackle； and books； that were taken at Asculum。 To this he
confessed thus far； that he received them from his father when he took
Asculum； but pleaded further； that he had lost them since； upon
Cinna's return to Rome； when his house was broken open and plundered
by Cinna's guards。 In this cause he had a great many preparatory
pleadings against his accuser； in which he showed in activity and
steadfastness beyond his years； and gained great reputation and
favour； insomuch that Antistius； the praetor and judge of the cause；
took a great liking to him； and offered him his daughter in
marriage； having had some communications with his friends about it。
Pompey accepted the proposal； and they were privately contracted；
however； the secret was not so closely kept as to escape the
multitude； but it was discernible enough； from the favour shown him by
Antistius in his cause。 And at last； when Antistius pronounced the
absolutory sentence of the judges； the people； as if it had been
upon a signal given； made the acclamation used according to ancient
custom at marriages； Talasio。 The origin of which custom is related to
be this。 At the time when the daughters of the Sabines came to Rome；
to see the shows and sports there； and were violently seized upon by
the most distinguished and bravest of the Romans for wives； it
happened that some goatswains and herdsmen of the meaner rank were
carrying off a beautiful and tall maiden； and lest any of their
betters should meet them； and take her away； as they ran； they cried
out with one voice； Talasio； Talasius being a well…known and popular
person among them； insomuch that all that heard the name clapped their
hands for joy； and joined with them in the shout； as applauding and
congratulating the chance。 Now； say they； because this proved a
fortunate match to Talasius； hence it is that this acclamation is
sportively used as a nuptial cry at all weddings。 This is the most
credible of the accounts that are given of the Talasio。 And some few
days after this judgment； Pompey married Antistia。
After this he went to Cinna's camp； where； finding some fals