Pompeius Trogus (30 BCE – 10 CE)
Roman historian of Gallic descent living in the Augustan age, author of a 44-book histor-
ical work in Latin titled Historiae Philippicae surviving as a 2nd (?) c. CE epitome made by
M. Iunianus Iustinus. According to his own testimony, Pompeius was of the Vocontii, a
Gallic tribe in Gallia Narbonensis conquered and incorporated into a Roman province in
the 120s BCE. His grandfather, receiving Roman citizenship from Pompey, served under
him in Spain against Sertorius. His uncle was a cavalry commander under Pompey in the
Mithridatic War in Asia. His father was in charge of correspondence and embassies under
Julius Caesar. These origins explain Pompeius’ double name – his Roman name from his
patron, and Trogus, a Gallic name. Pompeius’ work, relying on the historiographic model
of Theopompos of Khios in his Philippika, treats universal history, focusing on the Near East
and Greece. As the subtitle (totius mundi origo et terrae situs) indicates, Trogus includes ethno-
graphic and geographic digressions, for instance a description of Skuthia and its inhabitants
(Iust. 2.2.1–15); an allusion to Egypt and its customs (Iust. 2.1.5–9); an excursus on the local
history and foundation of Kure ̄ne ̄ (Iust. 13.7); a digression on He ̄rakleia Pontike ̄ (Iust.
16.3–5) based on N and Memno ̄n of He ̄rakleia; an excerpt on the Jews including a
geographical description of Judaea (Iust. 36.3.1–7); and a description of Parthia and the
Parthians (Iust. 41.1.11–41.3.10). Pompeius’ scientific interests probably inspired his lesser
known work On Animals, quoted by P, and based on the earlier works of A
and T.
R. Develin, “Pompeius Trogus and Philippic History,” Storia della Storiografia 8 (1985) 110–115;
H.D. Richter, Untersuchungen zur hellenistischen Historiographie. Die Vorlagen des Pompeius Trogus für die
Darstellung der nachalexandrischen hellenistischen Geschichte (Iust. 13–40) (1987); J.M. Alonso-Núñez,
“Trogue-Pompée et l’impérialisme romain,” BAGB (1) (1990) 72–86; R. Develin and J.C. Yardley,
Justin: Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus (1994); W. Heckel and J.C. Yardley, Justin:
Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus Books 11– 12 (1997).
Daniela Dueck
Pomponius Bassus (65 – 95 CE)
A P., in G CMLoc 4.8 (12.781–782 K.), preserves his collyrium
compounded from calamine, euphorbia, long and white peppers, opium, cinnamon,
opopanax, etc, moistened with fennel sap. Askle ̄piade ̄s describes him as “companion”
(12.780 K.).
RE 21.2 (1952) 2420 (#108), H. Diller.
GLIM
Pomponius Mela of Tingentera (ca 30 – 60 CE)
From Hispania Baetica (2.96, probably Iulia Traducta; cf. Iulia Soza, S 3.18;
Romer, 1), the first extant systematic Roman geographer, composing under Claudius whose
British triumph the work was perhaps intended to celebrate (3.49–52). P lists him as an
authority for nine books (1.ind.3–6, 8, 12–13, 21–22), but never later cites him by name.
Vat. Lat. 4929 (9th c.: our source for the text) gives the title De Chorographia, changed by
copyists to De Cosmographia, the former suggesting regional geography, the latter a descrip-
tion of the entire Earth. Mela, broadly treating the known world, selectively includes places
considered well-known, important, or interesting, and omits lesser-known sites and features.
POMPONIUS MELA OF TINGENTERA