Pompey was a great army general also known as Magnus. He started his political and military career when he helped Sulla, a military commander regain control of a part of Africa and Sicily from Sulla's enemy, Marius. This is when Sulla gave Pompey the name, "Magnus." After this event, he had many successes. He got rid of the Pirates in Rome in only three months. He defeated the country of Pontus, in Asia minor, which had been a thorn and an annoyance to Rome. He also went on to capture Syria and Jerusalem. He was very powerful when he returned to Rome and was received as a great commander.
Along with Crassus and Caesar, he became one of the most powerful men in Rome. The trio formed the triumvirate, the most powerful force in politics. But Crassus didn't like the fact that Pompey was taking credit for every single victory that Rome accomplished, claiming it was all his ideas and strategy. To keep himself in the group, Pompey married Caesar's daughter. But when his wife died due to health problems, the main link keeping Pompey in the group was broken. Then Crassus died in military action. As time went on, Pompey and Caesar went against each other as rivals to claim Rome. Caesar won the wars and Pompey fled to Egypt when Caesar's forces intruded and beheaded Pompey.