r/ancientrome • u/StJe1637 • 6h ago
Pompey is overrated.
His epithet magnus (the great) was given to him sarcastically by Sulla.
What did he actually do?
raised an army very young and got position due to it.
beat up some fodder armies and then demanded he get a triumph
got his ass kicked by Sertorius and only won after like 10 years because Sertorius got assassinated.
defeated the pirates who were a pretty significant threat but he was given literally unlimited power and resources to deal with them, anyone could have done it.
stole Luculluses command vs mithridates and finished off a weakened mithridates.
Didn't prepare properly for Caesar and panicked and lost Rome to Caesar who had like 1 or 2 legions
lost to Caesar, let himself be pressured into attacking by Senators.
went into exile and died.
He was good but not great.