Sextus Pompeius

Sextus Pompeius (75-35 bc), Roman military leader, also called Pompey the Younger, son of Pompey the Great. In 43 bc Sextus Pompeius strongly resisted the formation of Rome’s Second Triumvirate , a three-way government coalition among Gaius Octavius (later emperor Augustus), Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. This hostility led to the condemnation of Sextus Pompeius by the triumvirate. After his father’s death in 48 bc, Sextus Pompeius became a firm opponent of Julius Caesar, and for many years, using Spain as a base, he operated against the Caesarian party. In 40 bc Sextus Pompeius captured Sardinia and Sicily, and threatened to cut off the grain supply of Rome. He was finally defeated in a naval battle off Sicily by Agrippa in 36 bc, after which he fled to Asia Minor. Deserted by his troops, he was captured by the troops of Mark Antony and soon afterward was put to death, probably at Antony's instigation.