v21_2257 - POMPEY THE GREAT As, (GB, Æ 30)

POMPEY THE GREAT

(106-48 BC)

Consecration of Sextus Pompeius

Pompey, after Pharsalus, fled to Egypt where he was assassinated. This coinage is returned by his youngest son Sextus (67-35 BC) who continues the fight against Caesar after the death of his older brother at Munda in 45 BC. Reconciled with Antony in 44 BC J.-C., it receives a great military command and installs its headquarters in Marseilles before becoming commander of the fleet of the Republic the following year. At Octave's instigation, he was declared a public enemy and proscribed. He abandoned Marseilles in favor of Sicily where he crushed Octavian's fleet commanded by Quintus Salvidienus Rufus in 42 BC. He took the title of "son of Neptune" and assumed, like his father, the title of Pious. Reconciled with Octave, he was finally defeated by Agrippa at Nauloque on September 3, 36 BC. He managed to flee to Asia Minor, but was executed at the instigation of Marc Antoine.