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 THE EXPANSION OF ROMAN DOMINION 103 ranean, and defied the Roman government. Sertorius proved himself a match for the republican generals, Pompeius and Metellus; but the war was practically brought to an end by his assassination. In the east Mithridates of Pontus renewed the struggle. The successes of the able Roman commander Lucullus were neutralised by the blunders of his lieutenants, and the pirates still held the seas. In Italy a sundry great revolt of slaves headed by the gladiator Wars. Spartacus was with great difficulty suppressed by Crassus. Pompeius returned from Spain at the head of his legions, with the credit of having overthrown Sertorius. Crassus was at the head of the army which had finally crushed Spartacus. Lucullus was still in the east, where he was making himself extremely unpopular with the most influential Romans by reforms in the system of government of the Roman provinces of Asia, that is to say, Western Asia Minor. Neither Pompeius nor Crassus had any affection for the optimates; they came to an agreement and formed a coalition with the democratic party. They restored the 5. Julius old powers of the Tribunate, including that of Caesar, introducing bills without the assent of the Senate. But they went no further in the direction of democracy. Pompeius, in fact, inclined to revert to an alliance with the p ompey optimates, while Crassus was falling under the Crassus, influence of young Julius Caesar, who, with his and CaeBar - own ends in view, had attached himself to the popular party. Pompeius, however, was strong enough to obtain for himself appointments first for crushing the Pirates, and, when he had accomplished this successfully, for putting an end to the Mithridatic War. This latter commission was practically extended into one for settling the affairs of pompey the east generally, including therein the annexation i* 1 the Eas *- of Syria. These various operations kept Pompeius in the east till the year 62 B.C., but before he returned his arrangements had extended the Roman Empire to the Euphrates, and to Armenia; though within those boundaries some dependent princes were recognised. Beyond the Euphrates the Parthian dominion was acknowledged. Egypt was the one civilised