The Beheading of Pompey

The headless body of the Roman statesman and general Pompey floats at sea, while an Egyptian soldier holds his severed head aloft on a lance. After opposing Julius Caesar during a civil war, Pompey fled to Egypt seeking Ptolemy's aid against Caesar. Ptolemy sent a small ship to meet Pompey, as if he wanted to greet him with respect, though he had deceitfully instructed his servants to kill him. They beheaded Pompey at sea and carried his head on a lance throughout Alexandria, as if celebrating a great victory. Later, they presented their ghoulish trophy to Caesar.