The First Triumphate

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The First Triumvirate and The Second Triumvirate were two very different systems of leadership considering the people that were involved. The people that were each had their own way of ruling, which caused complications and which also caused triumph in certain cases.

The First Triumvirate did not accomplish as much as the Second Triumvirate due to difficulties among each other.

Julius Caesar, an effective speaker joined forces with two other powerful men to create what became the First Triumvirate. The First Triumvirate included Pompey the Great, and Marcus Licinius Crassus, along with Julius Caesar. (Balsdon 75) In seventy one BC Pompey the Great, who had earned his epithet in service under Sulla, returned to Rome, after having defeated the ever so popular general Sertorius in Spain. At the same time Pompey was returning to Rome, Marcus Licinius Crassus, a rich aristocrat, was restrained in Italy. (White 14) Pompey and Crassus ran for the position of consulship, and since it was a position held by two men they both won.

Even though Pompey at this time was ineligible Julius Caesar helped him win. The two consuls were now Pompey and Crassus. (White 15) Caesar was elected quaestor and then in sixty five BC Julius Caesar was elected curule aedile, gaining great popularity for his extravagant gladiatorial games. In order to pay for these games, Caesar borrowed money from Crassus. (Balsdon 81) This united Julius Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus. They also found common cause with Pompey the Great. (Balsdon 81) Caesar governed Spain for about a year, Miller 2 afterwards he returned to Rome. The three men decided to join forces into a three-way alliance, known as the First Triumvirate. (White 22) Caesar was elected consul in fifty nine BC despite optimate bitterness, and that year after he...