1. Gaius Julius Caesar 100-44 BC Lesser-known patrician family His aunt married Gaius Marius He was a life-long popularis

2. Populares and Optimates Gaius Marius Lucius Cornelius Sulla

3. Marius and Sulla Marius was a self-made general Sulla was a Cornelius, from a very old family Their joint military successes made them powerful Their political views eventually made them enemies The problem came from economics

4. In 82 BC, a series of vendettas against each faction escalated into widespread proscription. Caesar was almost killed, and fled Rome. Marius died, and his party was decimated. Caesar returned to Rome in 78, and gained some political notoriety. In 77, he was captured by pirates.

5. Caesar’s Rise By 63 BC, Caesar had moved up the cursus honorum and was elected Pontifex Maximus. He lacked the political clout to become consul. He joined with Pompey and Crassus to solidify his political influence and gain military experience. In 60 BC, they formed the First Triumvirate

6. The First Triumvirate Caesar won consul in 59, and those who feared the Triumvirs tried to shuffle him off in the next year. Pompey secured him a governor/propraetorship in Cisalpine Gaul