Julius Caesar THE FIRST TRIUMVIRATE

3.3.1 Role in First Triumvirate Entered politics as a populare Held the role of Aedile - staged festivals and entertainment that won him much support and admiration Crassus became a close friend of Caesar's during this time. He bankrolled many of Caesar's lavish spendings as Aedile to get him on side. He was still opposed to Pompey and knew it would serve him politically to have Caesar as an ally. Went to Spain in 60BC as governor - was very successful and returned with much wealth for Rome

Senate were hostile to Pompey, Crassus and Caesar Disallowed land for Pompey's veterans Equites (represented by Crassus) not permitted a reduction in land taxes Caesar denied a triumph and not supported for position of consul. The three looked to each other for support to satisfy their own individual needs, and the First Triumvirate was born in 60BC

Until now, Caesar was just another ambitious, young general, but his alliance in the FT secured him the consulship - the highest position in Rome and a feat no man in his family had achieved before As consul he upheld his end of the bargain, securing land for Pompey's veterans and securing a tax rebate for Crassus' equites He also distributed lands in Campania among the poor (winning him much popularity among the plebians but little amongst the patricians), and secured provinces of Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul for five years in his proconsular command

Caesar achieved these goals through illegal measures, which would later come back to haunt him Used Pompey's veterans to force laws through the assembly with the help of the Tribune, Vatinius - bypassing the senate Ignored the veto of other tribunes and, more importantly, his fellow consul Bibulus