News of Pompey's victories in the east—and…

News of Pompey's victories in the east—and probably of his divine honors there—had reached Rome before he did.

He has cult at Delos and is "savior" in Samos and Mytelene.

In Greece, these honors are standard fare for benefactors.

In Rome, they would seem dangerously monarchic.

Pompey's old supporter Cicero had risen to the consulship in his absence; his old enemy and colleague Crassus supports Caesar.

In the Senate and behind its scenes, Pompey is probably equally admired, feared and excluded; on the streets he is as popular as ever.

His eastern victories earn him his third triumph.

On his forfty-fifth birthday, in 61 BCE, he rides the triumphal chariot, a magnificent god-king, but one of Republican form, ritualistically reminded of his impermanence and mortality.

Even so, he is accompanied by a gigantic portrait head of himself, studded with pearls.

His third triumph exceeds all others; an unprecedented two days are scheduled for its procession and games (ludi).

Spoils, prisoners, army and banners depicting battle scenes wend the triumphal route between the Campus Martius and the Capitoline temple of Jupiter.

To conclude, he gives an immense triumphal banquet and money to the people of Rome, and promises them a new theater.

Plutarch claims this triumph represented Pompey's—and therefore Rome's—domination over the entire world, an achievement to outshine even Alexander's.

In the meantime, Pompey promises his retiring veterans public lands to farm, then dismisses his armies.

It is a reassuringly traditional gesture, but the Senate remains suspicious.

Because of Quintus Caecilius Metellus' refusal to leave Crete when Pompey had ordered it, Pompey and his allies had prevented Metellus’ triumph until 62 BCE.

Upon celebrating his triumph, he had received the cognomen 'Creticus', the Latin word for 'Cretan'.

In return for the opposition to his triumph, Metellus has used his influence to prevent the ratification in the senate of Pompey's reorganization of the east; he is to remain a prominent member of Pompey's opposition until his death in the late 50s BCE.

The senators debate and delay his eastern political settlements and the promised gifts of public land.

From this point forward, Pompey seems to have toed a cautious line between his enthusiastic popular supporters and the conservatives who seem so reluctant to acknowledge his solid achievements.

It will lead him into unexpected political alliances.