![]() Next on the agenda was the appeasement of Pompey. Forcing the publication of certain arguments could make Caesar appear to be heroic for the populist cause in the face of conservative resistance, regardless of the real nature of any proposed legislation or debate. ![]() ![]() This was the beginning of Caesar's propaganda machine that would eventually culminate in his own written records of the Gallic Wars and the Civil Wars. Once in office in 59 BC, Caesar's first order of business was to pass a law that required the public release of all debates and procedures of the Roman Senate. Regardless, no special legislation or extenuating circumstances seemed to block Caesar's legal position to run for Consul. Some theories have suggested that his age may have been overlooked because Caesar won the corona civica in his youth while on campaign in the east. He would have turned 56 in July of 44 BC making it seem quite clear that Caesar was indeed born in 100 BC. Both Plutarch and Suetonius, ancient Rome's great biographers, both say that Caesar died during his 56th year. Pompey served as consul in his 20's without even having been a Senator first. However, circumstances throughout this imperatorial period of the Republic often negated such rules. In fact, each office Caesar held was exactly 2 years prior to being legally eligible. The fact that the 'boni' and their ultra conservative policies make little argument against the legality of Caesar running for Consul, lends credence to the argument that Caesar was actually born 2 years earlier. This has led to much speculation that he was actually born in 102 BC to make him the right age for the office. Caesar, however, according to common beliefs, being born in 100 BC, was only 40 years old. The constitution, under normal circumstances, required a Consular candidate to be 42 years of age. Of interesting note regarding the election is Caesar's age. Bibulus was only the office holding face of the optimates, however, as it was Marcus Porcius Cato who held much influence among the conservatives. The clear intention was to thwart what were sure to be radical attempts at legislation by Caesar. Caesar won the election easily enough, but the boni managed to have Caesar's former co-aedile Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus elected as the junior Consul. The alliance was formed in late 60 BC without Cicero, and remarkably remained a secret for some time. The great orator Cicero, due to his association with Pompey and relative influence, was likely asked to participate in forming this 'majority' style government, but if so, he clearly chose to separate himself and refused to participate. Many leading men were involved, such as Lucius Lucceius and Lucius Calpurnius Piso (whose daughter, Calpurnia, Caesar later married). ![]() Not only was it never called that by the contemporary Romans, but it was a far more inclusive factio (faction) than the term "triumvirate" implies. ![]() The "first triumvirate" however is a bit misleading in name. He needed a politician, Caesar, to support items of interest to this faction and willingly joined the coalition. Crassus, on the other hand, had significant assets tied up in eastern interests and was a great ally of the business leading Equestrian families. Pompey had already been considerably frustrated by the inability to get land reform for his eastern veterans, and Caesar brilliantly patched up any differences between the two powerful leaders. Already maintaining a solid friendship with the fabulously wealthy Crassus, he approached Crassus' rival Pompey with the concept of an amicitia (coalition). He faced considerable opposition from the optimate Senators, or as Cicero dubbed them, the boni (good men).Įven though Caesar seemed to hold overwhelming popularity within the citizen assemblies, he had to manipulate formidable alliances within the Senate itself in order to secure his election. In 60 BC, Caesar's decision to forego a chance at a triumph for his achievements in Spain put him in a position to run for Consul. ![]()
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