Pompey's Time as Emperor
Two of the three men returned to Rome and forced the Senate to obey
them. Pompey asked for and got special legislation from the Senate allowing
him to remain in Italy. He wanted this because he dearly wanted to become
a great statesmen. Within the next five years Julia died followed by Crassus'
death. Crassus
in 53 BC went to Syria where he assembled his army. He then ordered them
into the Syrian dessert after the Parthian army, for Crassus was a great
financier, a good politician, but a bad general. After a few days Crassus' army was
out of water and suffering. It was then the Parthian army attacked, killing
off two full Roman legions; Crassus was among the deceased.
Pompey again allowed Cicero to work with him. Cicero named Pompey the
Rector of the Republic, a nice title but one with no meaning. Once again
Pompey showed his poor political expertise, and his tendancy to easily be
swayed. Pompey heard of Crassus' death and began to fear Caesar. Caesar had been campaigning, winning many allies
in Gaul, and the support of the people. Pompey on the other hand had stayed
in Rome while onlookers watched his once strong leadership diminish.