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several troops of horse against him by the river Arsis; which Pompey
assailed with the same courage and success as before; and having
routed and put them to flight; he forced them in the pursuit into
difficult ground; unpassable for horse; where; seeing no hopes of
escape; they yielded themselves with their horses and armour; all to
his mercy。
Sylla was hitherto unacquainted with all these actions; and on the
first intelligence he received of his movements was in great anxiety
about him; fearing lest he should be cut off among so many and such
experienced commanders of the enemy; and marched therefore with all
speed to his aid。 Now Pompey; having advice of his approach; sent
out orders to his officers to marshal and draw up all his forces in
full array; that they might make the finest and noblest appearance
before the commander…in…chief; for he expected indeed great honours
from him; but met with even greater。 For as soon as Sylla saw him thus
advancing; his army so well appointed; his men so young and strong;
and their spirits so high and hopeful with their successes; he
alighted from his horse; and being first; as was his due; saluted by
them with the title of Imperator; he returned the salutation upon
Pompey; in the same term and style of Imperator; which might well
cause surprise; as none could have ever anticipated that he would have
imparted; to one so young in years and not yet a senator; a title
which was the object of contention between him and the Scipios and
Marii。 And indeed all the rest of his deportment was agreeable to this
first compliment; whenever Pompey came into his presence; he paid some
sort of respect to him; either in rising and being uncovered; or the
like; which he was rarely seen to do with any one else;
notwithstanding that there were many about him of great rank and
honour。 Yet Pompey was not puffed up at all; or exalted with these
favours。 And when Sylla would have sent him with all expedition into
Gaul; a province in which it was thought Metellus; who commanded in
it; had done nothing worthy of the large forces at his disposal;
Pompey urged that it could not be fair or honourable for him to take a
province out of the hands of his senior in command and his superior in
reputation; however; if Metellus were willing; and should request
his service; he should be very ready to accompany and assist him in
the war; which when Metellus came to understand; he approved of the
proposal; and invited him over by letter。 On this Pompey fell
immediately into Gaul; where he not only achieved wonderful exploits
of himself; but also fired up and kindled again that bold and
warlike spirit; which old age had in a manner extinguished in
Metellus; into a new heat; just as molten copper; they say; when
poured upon that which is cold and solid; will dissolve and melt it
faster than fire itself。 But as when a famous wrestler has gained
the first place among men; and borne away the prizes at all the games;
it is not usual to take account of his victories as a boy; or to enter
them upon record among the rest; so with the exploits of Pompey in his
youth; though they were extraordinary in themselves; yet because
they were obscured and buried in the multitude and greatness of his
later wars and conquests; I dare not be particular in them; lest; by
trifling away time in the lesser moments of his youth; we should be
driven to omit those greater actions and fortunes which best
illustrate his character。
Now; when Sylla had brought all Italy under his dominion; and was
proclaimed dictator; he began to reward the rest of his followers;
by giving them wealth; appointing them to offices in the state; and
granting them freely and without restriction any favours they asked
for。 But as for Pompey; admiring his valour and conduct; and
thinking that he might prove a great stay and support to him hereafter
in his affairs; he sought means to attach him to himself by some
personal alliance; and his wife Metella joining in his wishes; they
two persuaded Pompey to put away Antistia; and marry Aemilia; the
step…daughter of Sylla; born by Metella to Scaurus; her former
husband; she being at that very time the wife of another man; living
with him; and with child by him。 These were the very tyrannies of
marriage; and much more agreeable to the times under Sylla than to the
nature and habits of Pompey; that Aemilia great with child should
be; as it were; ravished from the embraces of another for him; and
that Antistia should be divorced with dishonour and misery by him; for
whose sake she had been but just before bereft of her father。 For
Antistius was murdered in the senate; because he was suspected to be a
favourer of Sylla for Pompey's sake; and her mother; likewise; after
she had seen all these indignities; made away with herself; a new
calamity to be added to the tragic accompaniments of this marriage;
and that there might be nothing wanting to complete them; Aemilia
herself died; almost immediately after entering Pompey's house; in
childbed。
About this time news came to Sylla that Perpenna was fortifying
himself in Sicily; that the island was now become a refuge and
receptacle for the relics of the adverse party; that Carbo was
hovering about those seas with a navy; that Domitius had fallen in
upon Africa; and that many of the exiled men of note who had escaped
from the proscriptions were daily flocking into those parts。 Against
these; therefore; Pompey was sent with a large force; and no sooner
was he arrived in Sicily; but Perpenna immediately departed; leaving
the whole island to him。 Pompey received the distressed cities into
favour; and treated all with great humanity; except the Mamertines
in Messena; for when they protested against his court and
jurisdiction; alleging their privilege and exemption founded upon an
ancient charter or grant of the Romans; he replied sharply; 〃What!
will you never cease prating of laws to us that have swords by our
sides?〃 It was thought; likewise; that he showed some inhumanity to
Carbo; seeming rather to insult over his misfortunes than to
chastise his crimes。 For if there had been a necessity; as perhaps
there was; that he should be taken off; that might have been done at
first; as soon as he was taken prisoner; for then it would have been
the act of him that commanded it。 But here Pompey commanded a man that
had been thrice consul of Rome to be brought in fetters to stand at
the bar; he himself sitting upon the bench in judgment; examining
the cause with the formalities of law; to the offence and
indignation of all that were present; and afterwards ordered him to be
taken away and put to death。 It is related; by the way; of Carbo; that
as soon as he was brought to the place; and saw the sword drawn for
execution; he was suddenly seized with a looseness or pain in his
bowels; and desired a little respite of the executioner; and a
convenient place to relieve himself。 And yet further; Caius Oppius;
the friend of Caesar; tells us; that Pompey dealt cruelly with Quintus
Valerius; a man of singular learning and science。 For when he was
brought to him; he walked aside; and drew him into conversation; a