# Pompey — Dialogues character guide

> Pompey in Dialogues by Seneca.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Cnaeus Pompeius, Pompeius, the Great Pompeius

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Who they are

Roman general and rival of Caesar, discussed in civil war context.

## Relationships

### [Caligula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/caligula)

_rivalry_

Caligula and Pompey are historical rivals, with Caligula often comparing himself unfavorably to Pompey's military glory.

## In the story

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiv)

Gnaeus Pompeius is mentioned as a rival who would ill endure Caesar's growing power.

### [On the Blessings of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xx)

Cited as an example of how a timely death at Naples would have preserved his glory, but living longer led to his humiliating murder in Egypt.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxii)

His theatre is mentioned as the site where a statue of Sejanus was erected, an act Cordus condemned.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxiii)

Recipient of letters that Gaius Caesar burned, representing the opposing side in the civil war.

### [On the Trifling Origins of Anger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxx)

Mentioned as the leader of the opposing faction that some of Caesar's assassins had previously supported.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned among the political forces that tossed Cicero; his son later recruits shattered forces in Spain.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xiii)

Mentioned as the first to exhibit eighteen elephants in the circus, a display of excessive cruelty.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/viii)

Referenced in relation to his freedman Demetrius, who was richer than him.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xi)

Cited as an example of a wealthy man who perished of hunger and thirst despite his former riches.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as one who offered his neck to the sword of his own followers, a victim of unjust fortune.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/ix)

Grandfather of Cinna, mentioned as Gnaeus Pompeius.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned as Pompeius Pennus, a consular who was spared but then forced to kiss Gaius Caesar's foot.

### [Book IV: The Intrinsic Value of Benefits and Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/book-iv)

Referenced through Sextus Pompeius and the other Pompeii, who became consuls because of the greatness of one man (Pompey the Great).

### [On the Duty of Respecting Ancestral Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xxx)

Referenced as the great man whose fall exalted his relatives, including Sextus Pompeius.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/chapters/xvi)

Cited as ungrateful for his return to Rome of three consulships and triumphs by leading others to attack the state.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters/pompey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dialogues_2_se/characters