This Week: Off with Pompey's head

Posted by Robin Fowler Sep 24, 2006

September 24, A.D. 15 - Future Roman Emperor Vitellius is born on this date. He reigned from April 17, A.D. 69 - December 22, A.D. 69, which was known as the "Year of the Four Emperors". He was infamous for his insatiable appetite for food and wine.

September 25, A.D. 275 - Tacitus is appointed Emperor be the Roman Senate, after the assassination of Emperor Aurelian. Tacitus himself was assassinated after less than a year, in June A.D. 276.

September 29, 48 B.C. - Roman general and statesman Pompey the Great is assassinated by orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt. Ptolemy had arrived there with his family seeking asylum, following a final defeat against Julius Caesar. Ptolemy, thinking it would please Caesar, had him beheaded (on his 58th birthday to boot) and presented Pompey's head and ring in a basket to him when he arrived in Egypt. Caesar, who had once been an ally and the father-in-law of Pompey, was not pleased, and had Ptolemy executed. Caesar then used the opportunity to elevate his lover, Cleopatra, to sole Queen of Egypt.