ROME

First Triumvirate: aims, roles and responsibilities of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus

Political Developments in the Late Republic

The story of the first triumvirate

Background: First Triumvirate: aims, roles and responsibilities of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus

Pompey and Crassus had been colleagues since their consulship in 70BC. Unfortunately working together hadn’t done much to make them friends. Both Pompey and Crassus believed that the other had gone out of their way to make themselves look good and make the other one look bad!

Pompey

Pompey was then given a series of extraordinary commands and unprecedented powers – he went off to fight pirates and to the east to expand Roman control. Pompey had been given unlimited power to make war and peace – this made him extremely powerful personally and politically. He had enormous successes in the east and increased his client base and Rome’s income by about 70% Crassus

Meanwhile (65-63BC) Crassus was becoming more and more jealous of Pompey due to all the triumphs that Pompey was gaining. He was also a little scared of his return. What would happen when someone as powerful as Pompey returned from his campaigns? Would it be the start of another military dictator? He was not alone in his fear – the optimates were also fearful of the possibility of Pompey’s return to Rome as a second Sulla. Despite his jealousy, Crassus was extremely influential in Rome. He used his money (and he had LOTS of it) to increase his power. He would loan money to politicians and businessmen who would then owe him loyalty and support. He would lend money to both optimates and populares as well as equestrians. He had even helped Caesar gain the aedileship for 65BC – Caesar through lavish and expensive games to secure his support – all funded by Crassus (and leaving Caesar with a huge debt)

Caesar

Crassus was censor in Rome. He wasn’t having much luck. He tried to help Cataline run for consul but this was unsuccessful as Cataline could not stand due to bribery charges. Crassus even attempted to use his position to cover up the scandal.

Cataline Conspiracy

He also tried to use his position of censor and his influence (financial!) over many Senators to send his friend Piso (involved in the Cataline conspiracy) to govern in Spain – He may have wanted to control this province through Piso. Again, this was unsuccessful Piso was so vicious and nasty that the native people killed him! Next Crassus tried to gain support in Gaul. He proposed full citizenship to the people of Transpadine Gauls – it would have been a smart move – it could have provided a huge recruiting ground for troops. But alas, poor Crassus, once again his plans were foiled. This time Catulus, his colleague in the censorship, blocked it.

“Pompey and Crassus, who had both been lieutenants of Sulla, now proceeded to sweep away much that remained of his constitution...Thus within ten years of his retirement the essential parts of Sulla’s reforms had been swept away.”H.H. Scullard, From the Gracchi to Nero, pp. 97-8

His next plan was to annex Egypt – he claimed that the father of the previous king of Egypt had left his kingdom to Rome. He had the tribute make the proposal. It was supported by the people and the equites – after all Egypt had plenty of resources and wealth.Unfortunately for Crassus the optimates were determined in their opposition. Cicero made a speech against it, as he was supposedly protecting the interests of Pompey. His plan failed – again!It didn’t get much better for Crassus. Next he decided to support Cataline in his second attempt at Consulship. Fail = The optimates blocked this and supported Cicero instead.

The Young Cicero Reading

Finally Crassus sponsored the Agrarian Bill in 63. He had ambitions of controlling land distribution in Rome and the colonies. He was aware that Pompey would need land for his veterans when he returned and believed as commissioner, he would have the upper hand. Unfortunately for Crassus, Cicero spoke against the proposal and it was withdrawnMeanwhile the senate was a little scared. Pompey’s growing power was a threat. They tried to block him at every opportunity – they would not agree to his request to accept what he had done in the East and grant land to his veterans.Crassus also had his own problems. He had become a spokesperson for the tax farmers. This group had suffered because of Mithridates and the pirates and had asked Crassus to get compensation from the Senate for them but the Optimates opposed him.

Even Caesar was having difficulties. He was off being propraetor and asked permission to stand for consulship in absentia for consul in 60BC. He also asked for another triumph but the Senate refused. So Caesar came to Rome. It wasn’t enough though as the senate decided (before the election) that if Caesar won he would be given an insignificant post – the administration of the forests and cattle trucks of Italy.All three men needed support to meet their goals.

Mantegna. Triumph of Caesar

Pompey, Caesar and Crassus came together to form a political alliance – The First Triumvirate. This alliance was outside the bounds of the constitution and slowly stripped the senate of its power. It was at first a secret and political pact to achieve their goals. Its formation was a turning point for Rome’s history. It was supported by an armed force. The men agreed:Caesar was to be supported by Crassus and Pompey in his candidature in absentia for the consulshipCaesar and Crassus were to use their influence to have Pompey’s veterans settled and his acts in the eastern settlement approved.Crassus was to be supported by Caesar and Pompey in his claim for compensation for equites who had lost investment opportunities in collecting tax in the East because if the Mithridatic war.

First Triumvirate:

aims, roles and responsibilities

of Caesar, Pompey and

Crassus