The First Triumvirate of Rome (from 60 to 53 BC) was a secret, political alliance between Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey, and Marcus Crassus, in which Caesar played the leading role and his main support came from the legions he commanded during the Gallic Wars. Having assumed the powers of government, the members of the First Triumvirate distributed governmental posts in Rome and the provinces among themselves and their political supporters, passing laws in their own behalf to get more power. The death of Crassus in 53 BC and the strained relations between Pompey and Caesar brought about the dissolution of the First Triumvirate, which Varro had called “the three-headed monster.”
The First Triumvirate temporarily avoided an armed struggle between Caesar and Pompey, who were rivals and had different political views. Caesar belonged to the Populares, which was a faction that favored the cause of the Plebeians (the common people), while Pompey was supported by the Optimates, who were the aristocratic, conservative Patricians. Marcus Crassus, on the other hand, was a wealthy and well known citizen that exerted a lot of influence on political matters. After the death of Crassus, the political alliance dissolved and it was followed by a four-year long civil war between Caesar and Pompey. Caesar would emerge as victor, having defeated Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus and then beating Gnaeus Pompeius and Sextus Pompeius (Pompey's sons) at the Battle of Munda (45 BC).
Political Background to the First Triumvirate
Although Julius Caesar was a patrician by birth, his family had sided with Gaius Marius and the Populares (common people) during the war against Sulla, who headed the Optimates. Caesar began to climb the Roman political ladder with his election to the position of quaestor in 69 BC. In 59 BC, he was elected consul. After a year as consul, he was sent to govern a Roman province in Gaul (southern France). From this province, he launched a military campaign to conquer all of Gaul (France and Belgium); this is known as the Gallic Wars. This campaign gave Caesar the chance to show his leadership capacity and qualities as a commander and organizer, making him popular.
Pompey had also distinguished himself as a military leader in the civil war between Sulla and Marius, siding with Sulla and winning brilliant victories in Africa and Sicily. In 70 BC, he was elected one of Rome's two consuls. The other consul was the rival wealthy Marcus Crassus.
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| Above, from left to right: Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey, and Marcus Crassus, who made an alliance to form the First Triumvirate. |