Pompey's Birth: Rome's Greatness Born or Babylon's Curse Begun?

29th September, 106 BC

Ladies and Gentlemen, today is a day of significance, a day to be etched in the annals of Rome's glorious history. Or so they say. For today, we bear witness to the birth of one Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus or as the plebeians are calling him, Pompey the Great. I say 'Great', but time will tell whether he lives up to that grandiose title.

Pompey, the son of Strabo, has had the good fortune to be born into an established family of the Picentine nobility. Not too shabby, eh? But what does this mean for Rome, I hear you ask? Well, my friends, that's what we're here to ponder.

Pompey's lineage, though illustrious, has been known to favour foreign alliances, a fact that has me questioning whether Pompey's birth is a beacon of hope for Rome or a ticking Trojan time bomb. Can such a family truly uphold our traditional Roman values when they're so cosy with non-Roman entities?

Consider this - Pompey's father, despite his noble blood, has often shown a certain...shall we say...fondness for Greek culture. I mean, who among us hasn't enjoyed a good Greek tragedy or two? But to bring them into the heart of our Roman society? It's like inviting a hungry lion to a lamb banquet.

What's next, swapping out our glorious gladiatorial games for Greek-style philosophical debates? Or replacing our strong Roman wine with that watered-down Greek swill? Let's keep our eyes on the aquila, shall we?

Now, friends, I'm no soothsayer, but it's clear to me that the birth of Pompey could bring about a seismic shift in our society. This bouncing baby boy, swaddled in eastern luxuries, presents both an opportunity and a threat. On one hand, the influence of his foreign-loving family might help Rome extend its reach. On the other, it might dilute our esteemed Roman values with foreign frivolities.

So, is Pompey's birth the dawn of a new era for Rome's greatness, or the beginning of our descent into Babylonian chaos? Only time, and the gods, can truly tell. In the meantime, let's keep our toga's tight and our wine closer. Because, at the end of the day, we are Romans: steadfast, resilient, and fiercely protective of our traditions.

Whatever path Pompey chooses to tread, let's hope he remembers this: Rome wasn't built in a day, but it can certainly be brought down in one. Here's to hoping that Pompey's birth is a blessing to our glorious empire, and not the curse of Babylon knocking at our gates.

Remember, Rome is for Romans,