This paper examines the role of the Roman Senate during the disintegration in relations between Julius Caesar, Pompeius Magus (Pompey). Caesar and Pompey formed an alliance with Marcus Crassus in 60 BCE to pool their talents to overthrow the Senate and take control of Rome. The First Triumvirate, or the First Triumvirate as it was also called, relied on the cooperation of the three men to win the favor of the Senate. The relationship between the men was further strengthened when Pompey married Julia in 59 BCE. Caesar and Pompey were in an intense power struggle five years later. The First Triumvirate’s manipulation of the senate had been able to create a wedge between them.
Caesar and Pompey shared the goal to be the greatest man in Rome. They took different paths towards that end. Pompey was the son of a wealthy family. His father was also a member in the senate. He joined the military as a seventeen-year-old. Pompey was twenty-years-old when Pompey’s father died. Pompey left behind a lot of property as well as the allegiance to his father’s men. Pompey used his inherited military to gain favor from powerful politicians in Rome. Julius Caesar was not born into the same family as Caesar. Although noble, the Julii did not have much political influence. Caesar, like Pompey lost his father early in life, but Caesar’s father didn’t have the property or loyal troops to leave his son. Caesar married Cornelia. Cornelia was the daughter of Cinna who was a four-year-old consul. Caesar saw the marriage to Cornelia as a path towards political glory. Both Caesars and Pompey ended up in prominent political office. The Senate made the decision about who to back for peace in Rome. Rome was already involved in Civil Wars long before Caesar and Pompey waged war against each others. Sulla’s Second Civil War was one of the major factors in shaping Caesar and Pompey’s lives. In 83 BCE, the war began. Two large parties in the roman senate waged constant war against each other. Lucius Sulla, who initially fought against Lucius Cinna, was now fighting with Gaius Marius, the younger. Marius, and his side were called the populares. Sulla and his side were known as the Causa Novitatis, or nobility. Sulla’s followers were known as the optimate senators. Old school, they preferred the changes they believed would make Rome more attractive to the nobles. Sulla was previously defeated and exiled to Rome. When Cinna died, Sulla rebuilt his army and sought help from Pompey. Pompey had a legion that he controlled, and their combined men amounted to nearly fifty thousand. Sulla led his men to Rome and met with opposing forces on Mount Tifata. The opposing side had many soldiers, but they were scattered elsewhere when the attack occurred. Sulla was able win this battle with seventy soldiers, while Marius lost six thousand. The Marians were forced further to Capua after the fight. Sulla was able quickly to capture Rome. Julius Caesar had been married to Lucius Cinna. This was a leader of the Populars at that time.
The family of Julian was divided over which senatorial faction it should support in the civil wars that followed. Marius had led the popular group, which included Julius Caesar. Marius had killed other Julians who supported the optimates a few years before. Julius father died slightly before Julius became the head his house. Julius could claim he was part the Julians that supported Sulla-led optimates, but instead he preferred to be on the side with the Populars. He divorced his planned marriage to Cornelia, which he had been planning since birth. Cornelia was the daughter of Cinna, a prominent member of society. Sulla created a list of names for the Forum upon his return from Rome. Sulla placed a bounty of fifty dollars on any man whose name was on the list. His name didn’t appear on the list because he wasn’t important enough to be considered a threat. But Sulla knew about Caesar. Caesar was summoned and asked to meet with him. He said he shouldn’t marry Cornelia and should divorce her. Caesar refused and began his journey hiding from the optimates. Sulla did not outlaw the young Caesar, but was actually impressed by him during their meeting. Caesar ran. Sulla was convinced by one of his uncles who is an Optimate. Sulla said that Caesar may live to regret it. But, he should also remember that he may one day endanger the cause that Sulla and I support. This Caesar is worth six Marius.
Caesar knew he wanted political control and began the path to obtaining it. He joined military to increase his authority and credibility. He traveled to Asia to fight for Sulla’s cause. Caesar quickly gained the trust and confidence of his commander and was appointed his emissary. Caesar was presented with a civic crown by his commanding officer following the Siege of Mitylene. This award is usually given to citizens who save the lives of Roman citizens. Due to the Civil War’s deaths, Sulla did not have many senators at that time. According to Livy Sulla made every man who was awarded a civic Crown, a senator. Caesar, who had been a prosecutor for a provincial governor after Sulla’s passing in 78, returned to Rome to assist in his prosecution. This was common among young Romans seeking to climb the political ranks. Caesar lost the matter, but performed admirably. He was also known for his great public speaking skills.
The Sullan constitution gave priests the power to select priests. Caesar was considered a good choice since he had complied with Sulla’s decisions over the past decade. Caesar was elected as a member of the college for pontifices. Caesar quickly proved that the priesthood was wrong when he began to promote the ideas and opinions of the popular senators. Caesar was the military-tribune. Caesar had met Pompey after he was promoted to the consulship. Caesar and Pompey had formed one of Roman history’s most powerful relationships.
The Senate was controlled by the majority of optimists for many decades after Sulla’s conquer. Caesar and Pompey then get involved to pursue their goals beyond those of the optimate senators. The optimates regarded four of those leaders as populars. Caesar and Pompey were two of these leaders. The one the optimists feared the most was Pompey. Pompey used his loyal military first to become the ruler of Sulla, and then later in various military operations. After his consulship, the optimates attempted to expel Pompey. Pompey managed to maintain his interests within the Senate through his tribunes. Pompey had Cicero, a prominent senator, who was trying to win him favor by the age of 66. Pompey had earned the respect of Asia’s knights. Cicero then gave Pompey military command to fight the Mithridates. Pompey was so powerful, Cicero agreed to help defend Manilius. His immense power caused fear among the senators. Caesar was a popular, and not Pompey. He was the only leader to have the Marian connection. He supported popular laws and glorified Marius, whom his family was a supporter of in Marius’s lifetime. Caesar passed a bill that allowed the public to again elect priests. This increased Caesar’s popularity and he was elected Pontifex Maximus. The optimates were humiliated by this victory. Pompey and Caesar combined were able teetering on the wrong side of public opinion.
Caesar, who was returning from Spain’s governorship, thought he would be a consul. A law required that Caesar be present to declare his desire for the consulship. Caesar was forced to surrender his victory by coming to Rome to declare his candidacy. He was a strong and likely to win. Caesar enjoyed the support of Pompey, the Marians and his men as well as money to bribe others with. Caesar was chosen to be consul along with Bibulus the optimate. The senate was still controlled by the optimates. This partnership, known as the First Triumvirate between Caesar and Pompey and Crassus, led to the creation of an alliance known as the First Triumvirate. Caesar would introduce bills that would support the agendas of both Caesar and Pompey. Caesar would present the law as a First Triumvirate strategy. Pompey and Crassus then would publicly support the bill. Pompey’s soldiers used force to stop any senator from opposing the bill. The optimates did everything possible to stop Caesar enacting more laws. But, combined with Pompey, they were too powerful, passing many bills swiftly by threat of violence. Cato was Caesar’s only hope to stop Caesar. Caesar made Cato go away. Cato was allowed to go only because Cato wasn’t supported by the public. Cato wouldn’t appeal the arrest. Caesar managed to pass through one of his Tributes a bill changing the requirement that consuls accept insignificant roles following their consulship. Caesar was given a command in Cisalpine Gul and Illyricum for five years. Pompey even coerced the senate to give Caesar Transalpine Gaul soon after. Pompey convinced senate that action would likely be taken in Gaul because of the Helvetti. Pompey said to the senate that it would have been better to have only one governor for Transalpine Gaul.
Caesar continued to interfere in political affairs in the 58 BCE. It was then that it appeared likely that the Roman people would turn against him. Then he moved to Gaul. Caesar would have a strong and powerful army to his name in Gaul. Caesar would be close to Rome, allowing him to influence the political process if necessary. Caesar visited Gaul almost immediately and was allowed to display his military power. Caesar sent two legions of Cisalpine men to train and destroyed a bridge the Helvetti needed in order to migrate. He defeated the Helvetti and made them an ally to the Romans. Caesar was a man of great ambition and military talent during his time at Gaul. Caesar tried to invade Britain, an area which the Romans never had control over before. Caesar was unsuccessful because of poor harvests. However, he was successful in securing some southerly land until winter. Caesar was also confronted with unrest by the Germanic tribes many times during his stay. Each time, he was able fight back and restore peace to the region. Caesar was growing in popularity in Rome, so he was sending back rewards from his victories. This wealth was used by Caesar to build his army and to bribe the most important people in Rome. He also used this time to practice his army.
Caesar was in Gaul. Pompey continued to Rome, where he found himself working with optimists. Pompey was often made suggestions by senators to align with them. Some suggested that he should break his bonds with Caesar and marry Julia, Caesar’s child. Pompey doesn’t associate with these senators. He instead joins another group that is pushing for the end of Cicero’s exile. Pompey had been a partner in Cicero’s past, so it seemed sensible to help him get back to Rome. Pompey was accompanied by a large group of his soldiers to the forum. This allowed them to pass the law that called for Cicero’s returning. Cicero was then able to use the relationship he had with Pompey in order to restore Pompey’s relations with the senator. Pompey was given the responsibility of all trading and ports. This position gave him power over the distribution of food. Caesar would have a meeting with Pompey, Crassus and Luca to discuss the possibility of Crassus and Pompey becoming consuls in 55 CE. Caesar agreed that a large portion of his men would vote for Crassus and Pompey in Rome, under the condition that Crassus would continue his control over Illycrium (Gaul) for five years. This was not a popular decision among Rome’s leaders, but Cato stood up to challenge it. Crassus, Pompey and other intimidators became the consuls in 55 BCE. They extended Caesar’s Gaul territory and gave Caesar provinces. Crassus died in Syria while Pompey was granted Spain and Africa. Pompey didn’t go to his provincials and stayed in Rome with his wife. Julia, Pompey’s wife, died shortly after he gave birth to his second child. This broke down the union between Caesar & Pompey.
Rome became more violent in the years that followed and was at the edge of Civil War. To restore peace in the region, it was suggested that Pompey would be made solely consul. This did not take place, but it was close the year after 52 war, when Milo, a candidate for consul, killed Clodius. Pompey, with the assistance of Cato (an ex-enemy), would become the sole consul in Rome. Pompey made the most of his role as sole consul by passing laws that increased his power and allowed him to purchase more soldiers for his region. Some, however, were against Caesar’s actions. They argued Caesar was fighting the empire as well and should receive the same rewards or payments as Pompey.
Caesar was able to keep Rome close and would send his troops to vote for him. He also had many members of the Senate bribed. Caesar wanted to be a consul in Gaul and an extension, but he was unable to return home to Rome so long as his army was still there. Pompey became concerned at Caesar’s dominance over the Roman high-ranking officers and was worried. Pompey demanded Caesar return the soldiers he had borrowed him. Some officers informed Pompey that Caesar wasn’t the Roman god, but that Pompey was. Pompey was convinced Caesar wasn’t a threat by the officers. Caesar and Pompey weren’t useful anymore, but the senators were split over who they should support.
Each side wanted the other’s army to be taken out, but couldn’t agree on the best way forward. Caesar would be leaving Gaul in November 50 BCE, but the senators could not agree. Caesar, who remained in Gaul in 49 BC, felt wronged and assembled his army to cross Rubicon. He knew it would ignite another war. Caesar shouted “Let die be cast!” as his army crossed Rubicon. This officially started his war against Rome. Because Pompey was the most powerful army they could imagine, the optimate senators turned their attention to him in order to protect Rome from Caesar. Pompey and his men were originally supposed to defend Rome. Caesar was not able to be tracked. Caesar refused to accept their last-ditch deal and Pompey, along with the optimate senators, were forced from Rome. Caesar would win the war and become the closest Rome had ever seen to an Emperor since the Republic began.
The senate was an important part of the rise to power of Caesar and Pompey. Both Caesar as well as Pompey were considered populars, and the optimate society forced them together to reach power and wealth. Without the support of each other, it is unlikely that either one will be able to hold the sole consulship or have enough military power and money for the split of the senate. The optimists considered Pompey the lesser evil and decided to follow his lead, while Caesar convinced other senators. The civil war that erupted after the agreement reached by the Senate would have been avoided if it had.
