#17

As Gaius Julius Caesar's influence in the Senate and his popularity with the Roman people continued to grow, he recognized a fundamental truth about Roman politics: individual ambition, no matter how brilliant or well-supported, could often be stymied by the entrenched power of established factions and the collective inertia of the senatorial elite. To achieve his increasingly ambitious, optimistic vision for Rome – a vision that included significant reforms, greater efficiency in governance, and a more assertive but also more just foreign policy – he needed allies. Not just junior associates or grateful clients, but powerful figures who could help him break through the political deadlock and overcome the determined opposition of the conservative optimates.

This realization led to one of the most pivotal, and initially secret, political maneuvers of his early career: the formation of what would later be known as the First Triumvirate. This was an informal alliance, a pact between three of Rome's most powerful and ambitious men: Caesar himself, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great), and Marcus Licinius Crassus.

Pompey was Rome's most celebrated military hero, a general who had achieved extraordinary victories in the East, eradicated piracy in the Mediterranean, and enjoyed immense popularity with his veteran soldiers and a significant portion of the populace. However, upon his return to Rome, he found himself frustrated by the Senate, which, jealous of his power and suspicious of his ambitions, refused to ratify his eastern settlements or to grant land to his demobilized veterans. Pompey, despite his military might, lacked the deep-rooted senatorial connections and the political cunning to overcome this opposition on his own.

Crassus was arguably the wealthiest man in Rome, having amassed an enormous fortune through real estate speculation, mining interests, and, some whispered, less savory means like profiting from Sulla's proscriptions. He craved military glory to match Pompey's and political influence commensurate with his wealth. He had suppressed the slave revolt led by Spartacus, a significant achievement, but one that was often overshadowed by Pompey's more glamorous victories. Crassus commanded a powerful faction within the Senate, largely through his financial leverage and his extensive network of clients, but he too faced limitations in achieving his ultimate ambitions.

Caesar, younger than both Pompey and Crassus, brought his own unique assets to the table: a rapidly growing military reputation, immense popularity with the plebs, a sharp intellect, formidable rhetorical skills, and a strategic vision that was both audacious and pragmatic. He saw that these three men, despite their different backgrounds and sometimes conflicting interests, shared a common frustration with the current political stalemate and a common desire for greater power and influence. His optimistic belief in his ability to forge unlikely alliances for mutual benefit was a key driver in this bold initiative.

Through a series of discreet negotiations, Caesar skillfully brokered an agreement. He proposed that they pool their resources, their influence, and their political capital to achieve their respective goals. Caesar would support Pompey's demands for the ratification of his eastern settlements and land for his veterans. He would also support Crassus's desire for a significant military command (perhaps in the East, against Parthia, a long-held ambition of Crassus) and for measures that benefited his equestrian business associates. In return, Pompey and Crassus would use their combined influence to support Caesar's bid for the consulship, Rome's highest elected office, and to back his subsequent legislative agenda.

This alliance was a masterstroke of political pragmatism. It united three men who, individually, faced significant obstacles, but who, together, could potentially dominate Roman politics. It was a secret pact, at least initially, because its very existence would have alarmed the senatorial establishment, who rightly feared any concentration of power outside their traditional control. Caesar, with his anachronistic understanding of power dynamics and coalition building, was the primary architect of this Triumvirate, demonstrating a political sophistication far beyond his years.

His thoughts on Egypt and Cleopatra, while not a direct component of the Triumvirate's initial agenda, were subtly connected to his long-term ambitions. Securing the consulship, and then a significant proconsular command (likely in Gaul, as he was already envisioning), would give him the power, the resources, and the military force necessary to eventually engage with major international players like Egypt from a position of strength. His optimistic vision of a future partnership with a powerful and intelligent Egyptian queen required him first to become a dominant figure in Rome, and the Triumvirate was a crucial step in that direction.

Navigating the complex egos and sometimes conflicting ambitions of Pompey and Crassus required all of Caesar's diplomatic skill. Pompey was proud and accustomed to being the preeminent figure in Rome. Crassus was wealthy but also insecure, craving the military glory that Pompey possessed. Caesar acted as the linchpin, the mediator, often smoothing over disagreements and reminding his partners of their shared interests. He appealed to Pompey's desire for his achievements to be recognized and his veterans cared for. He appealed to Crassus's ambition for a major military command and his need for political respect. And he made it clear that his own success as consul would be their success as well.

When Caesar stood for the consulship, backed by the immense influence of Pompey and the financial resources of Crassus, his election was virtually assured, despite the fierce opposition of the optimates, led by figures like Cato. His consular year was to be a demonstration of the Triumvirate's power. He pushed through legislation fulfilling his promises to Pompey and Crassus, often overriding senatorial opposition through direct appeals to the popular assemblies, a tactic that further enraged the conservative elite but solidified his popular support.

His co-consul, Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus, a staunch optimate, found himself completely marginalized. Bibulus resorted to declaring unfavorable omens to halt public business, effectively shutting himself in his house, but Caesar, with the backing of his powerful allies and the support of the people, simply ignored him and continued to govern. This period demonstrated Caesar's willingness to challenge traditional senatorial authority when he believed it was obstructing necessary reforms or the will of the people (and, not coincidentally, his own agenda).

The formation of the First Triumvirate was a turning point in Caesar's career and in the history of the Roman Republic. It marked a shift of power away from the traditional senatorial oligarchy towards a small group of powerful individuals. While it was an alliance of convenience, driven by mutual ambition, it was also a testament to Caesar's extraordinary political acumen, his ability to see opportunities where others saw only obstacles, and his optimistic belief in his capacity to reshape the political landscape of Rome. He was no longer just a rising star; he was one of the three most powerful men in the Republic, and he was just getting started.