Sextus Pompeius (relatives of triumvir Pompey)

This article is about Sextus Pompeius, the paternal uncle of triumvir Pompey and the descendants from Pompey’s uncle. For Pompey’s son of the same name, see Sextus Pompeius.

Brother to Pompeius Strabo

Sextus Pompeius Virdoctus (flourished 2nd century BC & 1st century BC) was a Roman of plebs status. Sextus was born and raised into a noble family in Picenum (modern Marche & Abruzzo) a rural district in Northern Italy, off the Adriatic Coast. His cognomen Virdoctus, suggests he was a first born child and son.

Sextus’ mother was called Lucilia. Lucilia’s family originated from Suessa Aurunca (modern Sessa Aurunca) and she was a sister of satire poet Gaius Lucilius. Lucilius was a friend of Roman general Scipio Aemilianus Africanus. Sextus’ paternal grandfather was Gnaeus Pompeius, while his father was Sextus Pompeius. His younger brother was consul Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo and his sister was Pompeia. Through his brother, he was the paternal uncle to triumvir Pompey (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus) and his sister Pompeia.

Sextus never obtained any high office of state, however gain a great reputation as a learned man. The historian and senator Cicero, praised Sextus in his writings for his accurate knowledge of geometry, Stoicism and jurisprudence. The only time that his name is recorded in Roman public affairs was when on one occasion Sextus was present with his younger brother in his camp during the Social War.

Sextus married an unnamed Roman woman and had two sons a younger Sextus Pompeius and Quintus Pompeius. His second son Quintus Pompeius, is only known through the letters of Cicero. In one of his letters, Cicero had recommended Quintus in an undated letter which was addressed to man called Curius, who was a Roman proconsul of an unknown Roman province.

Cousin to triumvir Pompey

Sextus Pompeius was a Roman that lived in the 1st century BC and was the son to the above and his mother is an unnamed Roman woman. He was a cousin to triumvir Pompey and his sister Pompeia. Very little is known on him.

Consul Of 35 BC

Sextus Pompeius was a Roman that lived in the 1st century BC and was the son to the above. His mother is an unnamed Roman woman. He was a consul in 35 BC and in that year his paternal second cousin Sextus Pompeius was killed in Asia.

Consul of 14

Sextus Pompeius was a Roman that lived between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD. He was the son to the above and his mother is an unnamed Roman woman. He appears to be the last known direct descendant of the original Sextus Pompeius.

Sextus served as consul 14 with Sextus Appuleius. The two men served their consulships when the first Roman Emperor Augustus had died and they were the first to swear allegiance to the new Roman Emperor Tiberius, who was Augustus’ adopted son and successor.

In Tiberius’ reign, he served as a senator. Sextus appeared to have a witty character and to be very intelligent. Sextus was a patron of literature and the Roman poet Ovid had addressed him several letters from when he was living in exile.

Sources

• Microsoft Encyclopaedia 2002
• Tacitus - The Annals of Imperial Rome
• http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/1930.html
• http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/2808.html