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Gulies seizure
Back in Rome, Caesar was elected military tribune. He wanted to gain even more power, so he used his popularity to support Gnaeus Pompeius (later known as Pompey the Great) to become a general in the Roman legion. During this time he also became friends with the wealthiest man in Rome, Marcus Licinius Crassus. These three would eventually form what was called the First Triumvirate (try-UM-ver-ut), a trio of very powerful people that would have a great deal of influence on Rome.
In 61 BC he was awarded a consulship (there were two consuls, the highest political position in Rome) by the senate. Caesar entered into a business/political agreement with Pompey and Crassus, known as the First Triumvirate, in 60 BC. To strengthen their bond, Caesar made his daughter Julia marry Pompey.
Gulies seizure
The three men together then effectively ruled Rome, Caesar as consul, by passing laws favored by Pompey or Crassus in the senate. Caesar proposed policies for reform of government, and redistributing land to the poor. For the moment, the three-way partnership was working very well.
By 52 BC The First Triumvirate had disintegrated. Crassus was killed in battle in 54 BC and, that same year, Julia died in childbirth. In Caesar’s absence, Pompey had become consul. Now, with no connection to Ceasar, and fearing he’d grown too powerful, Pompey had the senate remove Caesar’s right to gover. The senate also ordered him to return to Rome as a private citizen, without his army. Caesar knew what this meant. If he came back without his army, Pompey would strip him of his powers, or worse.
Gulies seizure
Rather than returning to Rome as ordered, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his legions and marched on the city in 49 BC. This was considered an act of war as the Rubicon was the border between Gaul and Rome. According to legend, as he crossed the body of water he exclaimed, “The die is cast,” meaning that what was now done could not be undone. Pompey, rather than meet Caesar’s legions in battle, fled to Spain and then to Greece where he was defeated by Caesar. Pompey himself escaped from the battle and went to Egypt where he he thought he would be safe. News of Caesar’s victory reached Egypt before him, however, and the Egyptians, believing that the gods favored Caesar over Pompey, had Pompey killed the moment he stepped on shore. This left Caesar the unquestioned ruler of Rome.
