Gaius Julius Caesar
Part II
Magister Henderson
Latin III / IV
The First Triumverate
• Caesar’s financial benefactor, Crassus, had been
political rivals with the distinguished Roman
general, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the
Great).
• Caesar saw the potential in reconciling the two
men, and succeeded in doing so, creating a secret
three person alliance that has come to be called
the first triumvirate.
• The triumvirate was sealed with the marriage of
Pompey to Caesar’s daughter, Julia.
Caesar in Gaul
• Caesar was granted Cisalpine Gaul as his
proconsular province to govern.
• But when unrest developed across the Alps, the
senator also granted him governorship of
Transapline Gaul, which today is south France.
• This command gave Caesar command over four
legions and opportunity for military glory.
Caesar in Gaul (continued)
• Caesar spent 8 years in Gaul subduing many
tribes and making a few into allies.
• During that time he crossed the Rhine and
repelled German invaders.
• He also crossed the English channel and won a
victory against the tribes in Britannia, though he
did not leave behind a permanent occupation
force.
The End of the Triumvirate
• While Caesar was in Britain, his daughter Julia
died in childbirth.
• Caesar attempted to reaffirm the alliance with
Pompey by arranging a marriage with his greatniece, Octavia (Augustus’ sister), but Pompey
declined the arrangement.
• Soon after Crassus was killed along with his son
Publius while fighting the Parthians in the east.
The End of the Triumvirate (continued)
• Pompey instead married Publius Crassus’ widow,
Cornelia Metalla, who was the daughter of
Caecilius Metallus Scipio, one of Caesar’s most
outspoken critics.
• The next year Pompey was appointed sole
consul, a rare move designed by the Senate to
give him power to decide Caesar’s fate once he
left his appointment as governor.
The Start of Civil War
• The next year Caesar petitioned to run for consul
in absentia, so that he could take political office
immediately after leaving his governorship; a
petition Pompey denied.
• Ordered to disband his army, and certain he
would face prosecution upon his return to Rome,
Caesar crossed the Rubicon into Italy with his
army.
The Start of Civil War
• Rather than defend Rome, Pompey and many
Senators fled for Epirus, where Pompey had nine
legions.
• In his haste to flee, Pompey forgot to secure
Rome’s treasury, a tactical error that gave Caesar
a financial advantage in the war.
• With Pompey and his supporters gone, Caesar
took possession of Rome without a fight.
Pompey’s Defeat
• Caesar left his lieutenant Marc Antony, in charge
at Rome while he engaged Pompey in Greece.
• In July of 47 BC, Caesar was nearly defeated at
Dyrrhachium, but escaped when Pompey did not
pursue him aggressively enough.
• Later that same year, Caesar won the decisive
victory at Pharsalus. Defeated Pompey fled to
Egypt.
Caesar’s Dictatorship
• Returned to Rome and was appointed dictator,
while Marc Antony was made his magister
equitum.
• Caesar followed Pompey to Egypt, but upon
arrival was presented with Pompey’s severed
head, by Ptolemy, the young king of Egypt.
• Displeased by Ptolemy’s treatment of Pompey,
Caesar supported Ptolemy’s older sister,
Cleopatra, in her claim for the throne.