Pompey was one of the men, who, having distinguished himself in foreign wars, was looked upon as the natural leader of the city. He increased this already great reputation by his victory over the pirates of the Mediterranean, who had ravaged the coasts of Asia minor and had become so daring that they attacked the towns on the Italian coast. Worse than this, they intercepted the ships which brought grain to Rome. Pompey secured complete command of the territory infested by the pirates, and within three months he succeeded in breaking up their power. It is said that he put 10,000 of them to death and captured 3,000 of their vessels. Soon after this he was chosen as the general to command in the war against Mithridates. In this campaign he was no less successful. The war lasted from 66 to 64 B.C., ending with the complete overthrow of Mithridates, whom Pompey put to flight and who finally committed suicide. As a result of Pompey's expedition in the East, all western Asia was reduced to subjection. On account of these successes he became the idol of his countrymen. No general had ever enjoyed such a triumph as that which was granted to him on his return to Rome. It is said that hundred of princes walked as captives in his trimphal procession. It was his boast that he had conquered Africa, Europe, and Asia, thus completing for Rome the conquest of the world.-Colby, 1899