Ban Chao vs Pompey the Great

Ban Chao led a small force of Han troops and local allies to defeat the Xiongnu and their client states in the Tarim Basin. He reestablished Chinese control over the city-states of the Silk Road, securing trade routes and tribute from kingdoms like Kashgar and Khotan.

The Kushan Empire (Yuezhi) invaded the Western Regions with a large army. Ban Chao, with limited forces, used a scorched-earth strategy and cut off the Kushan supply lines, forcing them to retreat and sue for peace. This victory secured Han dominance in Central Asia.

Emperor He of Han appointed Ban Chao as Protector General of the Western Regions, a position that gave him authority over all Han territories and allies in Central Asia. He held this post for over a decade, maintaining peace and Chinese influence from the Pamirs to the Gobi Desert.

Ban Chao dispatched his envoy Gan Ying to explore the Roman Empire (Da Qin). Gan Ying reached the Persian Gulf but was told by Parthian merchants that the sea voyage was too dangerous, turning back. This was the closest a Chinese envoy came to Rome in antiquity.

Pompey was granted extraordinary command under the Lex Gabinia to eliminate piracy in the Mediterranean. He divided the sea into sectors and within three months destroyed pirate fleets and captured their strongholds, restoring Roman trade routes and grain supply.

Pompey took command against Mithridates VI of Pontus, defeating him and forcing his suicide. He then annexed Syria, captured Jerusalem, and established Roman provinces in the East. He organized the region into client kingdoms and provinces, extending Roman hegemony to the Euphrates.

Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus formed a political alliance to advance their individual ambitions. Pompey sought ratification of his Eastern settlements and land for his veterans. The pact dominated Roman politics for a decade until Crassus's death in 53 BC.

Pompey commanded the senatorial army against Caesar at Pharsalus in Greece. Despite numerical superiority, his forces were defeated by Caesar's veterans. Pompey fled to Egypt, expecting refuge, but was assassinated on the orders of the Egyptian court upon arrival.

After his defeat at Pharsalus, Pompey landed in Egypt seeking refuge. On September 28, 48 BC, he was stabbed to death by former Roman soldiers serving the Egyptian king Ptolemy XIII, who hoped to curry favor with Caesar. His head was presented to Caesar.