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The First Triumvirate

The First Triumvirate. 60-53 BCE. Prelude to the First Triumvirate. Pompey opposed by Optimates Roman senate denied ratification of Eastern settlement Roman senate denied land for his veterans Failed to secure what he wanted – had no choice but to support Caesar.

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The First Triumvirate

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  1. The First Triumvirate 60-53 BCE

  2. Prelude to the First Triumvirate • Pompey opposed by Optimates • Roman senate denied ratification of Eastern settlement • Roman senate denied land for his veterans • Failed to secure what he wanted – had no choice but to support Caesar. • Crassus opposed by Optimates • Equestrian tax-collectors denied a reduction of contract payments on collection of taxes in Asia. • Crassus had short-term objectives which Caesar (as consul) could help. Crassus also needed to safeguard against Pompey and political alliance with Caesar would achieve this. • Caesar denied by Optimates • Caesar had waged successful campaigns in Spain, where he had been governor. • He was denied exception to hold triumph and stand for consulship simultaneously.

  3. The ‘First Triumvirate’ • A triumvirate was a legally established body – however, the alliance between Pompey, Crassus and Caesar was not official. • There were two important aspects of the triumvirate: • Combined wealth of the three men – they had prestige, wealth, popularity with the people, support of the equites and armed force (veterans) • Repercussions of their failure to maintain the alliance.

  4. Overview of the Triumvirate • Pompey’s needs • Land for veterans • Eastern settlement ratified ‘en bloc’ • Crassus’ needs • A rebate for the equestrian tax-farmers • Caesar’s needs • The consulship of 59BC • A province for 58 to give scope for his military ability

  5. Caesar as Consul – 59BC • Gains for Pompey • An agrarian bill plus a supplementary lex Campania for his veterans and the urban poor • Ratification of eastern arrangements • Gains for Crassus • A rebate of one-third of the contract price to the equestrian tax-farmers • Gains for Caesar • The province of Cisalpine Gaul, Illyricum and Transalpine Gaul for five years

  6. Significance of Caesar’s consulship • Caesar’s use of force and failure to adhere to legal process • Lex Campania caused more resentment than any other legislation (I’ll explain ) • Pompey lost popularity with the people and optimates – this was humiliating • Pompey and Crassus return to dysfunction, particularly after Caesar left Italy to take up command in Gaul 58-50BC.

  7. Breakdown of the Triumvirate • There are a number of key events that led to the collapse of the Triumvirate: • Pompey increases his political power – control of Spanish provinces and the East. • In 54 BC Julia, Pompey’s wife, died during childbirth. This broke the family connection between Caesar and Pompey. • Growing anarchy in Rome – 54 BC. • Plutarch states there was ‘a collapse of good government in Rome’. • 53 BC – Crassus dies at battle of Carrhae against Parthians. • Plutarch states ‘that fortune had removed from the ring the third competitor’. • Caesar’s marriage offer to Pompey refused (he offered his niece Octavia). Pompey weds Cornelia, daughter of a optimate senator.

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