Editing Pompey (section)

==Sicily, Africa and Lepidus' rebellion==
The surviving Marians escaped to Sicily, where their ally [[Marcus Perperna Veiento|Marcus Perperna]] was [[Promagistrate|propraetor]]. They were supported by a fleet under Carbo, while [[Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus (died 81 BC)|Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus]] occupied the [[Roman province of Africa]]. Perperna abandoned Sicily after Pompey landed on the island with a large force,{{efn|Six legions and a navy of 120 warships and 800 transport ships. Both men and ships were immediately available: the men and ships from Sulla's armies{{sfn|Leach|1978|p=28}}}} while Carbo was captured and later executed. Pompey claimed this was justified by Carbo's alleged crimes against Roman citizens, but his opponents nicknamed him ''adulescentulus carnifex'', or "young butcher", as a result.{{sfn|Collins|1953|p=100}} 

[[File:Roman Province of Africa in 146 BC.png|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Roman Province of Africa]]

Pompey now sailed for Africa, leaving Sicily in the hands of his brother-in-law, [[Gaius Memmius (brother-in-law to Pompey)|Gaius Memmius]].{{sfn|Leach|1978|p=30}} After defeating and killing Ahenobarbus at the [[Battle of Utica (81 BC)|Battle of Utica]], Pompey subdued [[Numidia]] and executed its king [[Hiarbas (king)|Hiarbas]], a Marian ally.{{sfn|Collins|1953|p=100}} He restored the deposed [[Hiempsal II|Hiempsal]] to the Numidian throne.{{sfn|Leach|1978|p=30–31}} Around this time, his troops began referring to him as ''Magnus'', or "the Great", after [[Alexander the Great]], a figure much admired by the Romans. Shortly thereafter, Pompey formally made this part of his [[Cognomen|name]].{{sfn|Gray}}

On returning to Rome, he asked for a triumph to celebrate his victories, an unprecedented demand for someone so young.{{sfn|Seager|2002|p=28}} Pompey refused to disband his army until Sulla agreed, although the latter tried to offset the impact by awarding simultaneous triumphs to [[Lucius Licinius Murena (praetor 88 BC)|Lucius Licinius Murena]] and [[Gaius Valerius Flaccus (consul 93 BC)|Gaius Valerius Flaccus]].{{sfn|Leach|1978|pp=31–32}} Sometime during this period, Pompey married Mucia Tertia, a member of the powerful [[Caecilii Metelli family tree|Metellus]] family. They had three children before their divorce in 61 BC; [[Pompey the younger]], usually known as Gnaeus, a daughter, [[Pompeia Magna]], and a younger son, [[Sextus Pompey|Sextus]].{{sfn|Haley|1985|p=50}}

{{Location map many|Italy|caption =The Lepidan rebellion; key locations|relief=yes|border = black| width = 200| float = right
|label =  Cosa|pos=left|coordinates={{coord|42|25|N|11|17|E}}
|label2 = Rome|pos2=right|coordinates2={{coord|41|52|N|12|29|E}}
|label3 = Mutina |pos3=right|coordinates3={{coord|44|39|N|10|56|E}}
|label5 = Sardinia|pos5=top|coordinates5={{coord|40|00|N|9|00|E}}
|label6 = Picenum|pos6=top|coordinates6={{coord|42|51|N|12|35|E}}
}} 

Pompey supported [[Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (consul 78 BC)|Marcus Aemilius Lepidus]] as consul for 78 BC; Plutarch claims he did so against Sulla's advice, but most modern historians refute the idea.{{sfn|Rosenblitt|2014|pp=415–16}} When Sulla died in 78 BC, Lepidus sought to block his state funeral and roll back some of Sulla's laws, then became [[proconsul]] of Cisalpine and [[Transalpine Gaul]] in January 77 BC.{{sfn|Collins|1953|p=101}} When the Senate ordered him back to Rome, Lepidus refused to comply unless granted another term as consul, a proposal that was rapidly rejected.{{sfn|Gruen|1995|p=15}} Assembling an army, he began marching on Rome; the Senate responded with a series of measures, one of which was to appoint Pompey to a military command.{{sfn|Gruen|1995|p=16}}

While Lepidus continued south, Pompey raised troops from among his veterans in Picenum, and moved north to besiege [[Mutina]], capital of Cisalpine Gaul. The town was held by Lepidus' ally [[Marcus Junius Brutus (tribune 83 BC)|Marcus Junius Brutus]], who surrendered after a lengthy siege, and was assassinated next day, allegedly on Pompey's orders.{{sfn|Leach|1978|p=42}} Catulus then defeated Lepidus outside Rome, while Pompey marched against his rear, catching him near Cosa. Lepidus and the remnants of his army retreated to [[Sardinia]], where he died.{{sfn|Leach|1978|pp=41–43}}