2019-09-28 Sat

Pompey the Great was a military and political leader of the late Roman Republic. Today on 28th of September in the year 48 BC he was assassinated by order of King Ptolemy upon arriving in Egypt.

He was one of the great statesmen and generals of the late Roman Republic. He was initially called Magnus (“the Great”) by his troops in Africa, and he assumed the cognomen Magnus after 81.

In 60 BC, Pompey joined Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gaius Julius Caesar in the unofficial military-political alliance known as the First Triumvirate. Pompey and Caesar contended for the leadership of the Roman state, leading to a civil war. When Pompey was defeated at the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC, he sought refuge in Egypt, where he was assassinated. His career and defeat are significant in Rome's subsequent transformation from Republic to Empire.

The above shown silver Denarius was issued under his reign from Greece mint. The obverse of a coin depicts the head of Numa Pompilius right, wearing a diadem. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin engraved prow of galley right.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions