Pompey the Great

1 9.3

A Roman general and politician who fought Julius Caesar and died in Egypt

proper noun

: Pompeyo el Grande

After his defeat at Pharsalus, Pompey the Great fled to Egypt, where he met his end.

Examples

Many historians have analyzed the rivalry between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great.
Pompey the Great was a Roman general.
Pompey the Great played a crucial role in the final decades of the Roman Republic.
Don't forget Pompey the Great!
Pompey the Great played a crucial role in the final decades of the Roman Republic.
Many historians have analyzed the rivalry between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great.
After his defeat at Pharsalus, Pompey the Great fled to Egypt, where he met his end.

Synonyms

Pompey

vsPompey the Great

23 9.7

A Roman general and leader who fought Julius Caesar and was killed in Egypt

is known for major conflicts with Julius Caesar and for his death in Egypt

Surface Forms

Pompey the Great main

Morphology

Pompey + the + great

This is a named epithet formed by combining the proper name 'Pompey' with the descriptive adjective phrase 'the Great', so a learner who knows the name and the word 'great' can infer it denotes Pompey as an important/notable figure. Epithets like 'the Great' are cross-linguistically common (e.g. Alexander the Great), making the composition predictable and immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.

Etymology

Pompey the Great got his name because he was a very successful Roman general. People added the Great to his name after he won many battles and became powerful, so the title reminds us he was an 'important leader'.