# Pompey — Antony and Cleopatra character guide

> Pompey in Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pompey the Great, Sextus Pompeius, Cneius Pompey

**First appearance:** 0008-act-ii-scene-i

## Snapshot

Sextus Pompeius, heir to a great name, raising a rebel fleet at sea to challenge the triumvirs who carved up his father's world.

## Who they are

Pompey commands the waters around Italy and the loyalty of men who resent the triumvirate's grip. He is the external pressure that briefly forces Antony, Caesar, and Lepidus into the same room and the same table. His menace gives the play its political weather, reminding Rome that empire is never settled while someone with a navy and a grievance is still afloat.

## Relationships

### [Menas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/menas)

_professional_

Menas is a pirate captain and subordinate ally to Pompey, serving as his military commander.

### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony)

_rivalry_

Antony and Pompey are political and military rivals vying for control of the Roman Republic.

### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras)

_social_

Iras and Pompey have minimal direct interaction, as she is a servant in Egypt and he is a Roman rebel leader.

### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony)

_rivalry_

Antony and Pompey are political and military rivals vying for control of the Roman Republic.

### [Menas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/menas)

_professional_

Menas is a pirate captain and subordinate ally to Pompey, serving as his military commander.

### [Menas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/menas)

_professional_

Menas is a pirate captain and subordinate ally to Pompey, serving as his military commander.

### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras)

_social_

Iras and Pompey have minimal direct interaction, as she is a servant in Egypt and he is a Roman rebel leader.

### [Mark Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/mark_antony)

_rivalry_

Antony and Pompey are political and military rivals vying for control of the Roman Republic.

### [Iras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/iras)

_social_

Iras and Pompey have minimal direct interaction, as she is a servant in Egypt and he is a Roman rebel leader.

## In the story

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv)

Reported to be strong at sea, beloved by those who fear Caesar, and leading a rebellion with the help of pirates Menecrates and Menas.

### [Scene I: Pompey's House in Messina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Confident in his naval strength and popular support, Pompey strategizes against the triumvirs and learns of Antony's imminent return to Rome.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vi)

Negotiates a truce with the triumvirs, accepting their offer but expressing resentment over his father's treatment.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-vii)

Hosts the feast on his galley; rejects Menas's assassination plot on grounds of honor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters/pompey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/antony_and_cleopatra_se/characters