The Oxford History Of The Classical World

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

Model Of Theatre And Porticoes Of Pompey In Rome. Pompey inaugurated the first permanent stone
theatre in Rome in 55 B.C., perpetuating a time-honoured tradition of self-advertising munificence on
the part of leading politicians during the Republic. The adjacent Porticoes of Pompey contained trees
and fountains, and acted as a kind of public art-gallery for paintings and sculptures.


Crassus left for Syria and was killed a year later fighting the Parthians. Caesar was tied up in Gaul and
unable to cross the Alps until the winter of 53/2. But Pompey, who chose to govern Spain through
legates and remain in the vicinity of Rome, was in a position to exploit political developments. Electoral
chaos and gang violence eventually played into his hands since, as proconsul with the power to
command and levy troops, he was the obvious person to restore order. When Clodius was murdered at
the start of 52, the Senate had him elected sole consul. The death of Caesar's daughter Julia in 54 had
already ended Caesar's family connection with him, and Pompey now seemed within reach of
recognition as leader of the traditional government. But, to keep his options open, he supported a
tribunician bill which granted Caesar the right to stand for a second consulship in absence: he would be
eligible for election in 49 after the requisite ten-year interval had elapsed.

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