Triumvirate is a union of three. The first triumvirate and its participants

Triumvirate is a common name for an agreement of three persons, aimed at achieving a specific goal. How does this form of agreement differ from others? Where did it originate?

Ancient Rome

Information about the first triumvirate came to us from the biographies of the Roman rulers. The first triumvirate was created by the three most influential contemporaries. Caesar, Crassus and Pompey are the first creators of the triumvirate, its immediate participants and inspirers.

When did the triumvirate come about?

This event in different sources is dated differently. Most historians tend to call it about 60 BC. But other ancient authors, among them Plutarch, Livy, Dion Cassius, believe that such an agreement was prepared long before Caesar was elected consul. Most likely, the idea of concluding an alliance of the three arose in the beginning of 60 BC, and on the eve of the new, 59 year agreement was already considered to be formalized.

Why did the triumvirate arise?

This agreement is dictated by the coincidence of the goals of the participants. Pompey agreed to take part in the work of the triumvirate because of the pronounced conservatism of the Senate, which so zealously opposed new ideas that trampled even its own common sense. Crassus joined the agreement because of the position of the riders. Because of the accumulated disagreements, the riders (money aristocracy of Rome) practically broke with the Senate and could not lobby their own interests in the government. The Roman triumvirate could help restore the monetary aristocracy, which, by virtue of its superiority to only senators, has the right to defend its own interests.

The organizer and informal leader of the triumvirate was Caesar. Some historians ascribe to Julia an irresistible desire to be the sole ruler of Rome and argue that the triumvirate created by him is only a step towards achieving the goal. But there were no serious grounds for believing that Caesar already had a daring plan. Perhaps a favorable combination of circumstances and spurred Caesar to a coup d'état, but while he fought over an insoluble task: pacify opponents and drag through the Senate its own agrarian law.

Against whom was the union of the three directed?

In order for these three to come together, a special set of circumstances was required. In this case, the reason for the rapprochement of three dissimilar people was the common enemy - the Senate. Everyone saw in him an obstacle preventing his own plans from realizing. And the main means of achieving their own aspirations for each participant could be only an alternative governing body - the triumvirate. Rome mid-1 century BC. E. Exhausted itself in the role of the republic, and the creation of the agreement of the three became a turning point in the history of this state.

Getting Started

At the beginning of 59 BC. E. Both consuls - Bibulus and Caesar, took up new posts. At that time it was Bibulus who was known and respected: the senator, patrician, permanent member of the state councils - he seemed to be the driving force. Caesar, as everyone thought, was only a shadow of Bibulus. But Caesar had his own plans for the consulate. He came to politics to solve the agrarian question, and for this he collected like-minded people wherever possible.

Agrarian laws of Caesar

Despite the rather moderate nature of the agrarian law, it was very sharply adopted by the Senate, and for the first time was not even presented for review. The Senate was outraged that the land law was introduced by the Consul, not the Tribune - this was an unheard-of violation of the procedure. But Caesar did not give up. To cover the project, he introduced mandatory publication of the reports of the Senate meetings so that everyone could get acquainted with the details of the discussion. Caesar threatened to appeal to the people. References to the unfavorable signs that Bibulus slandered did not help - Caesar appointed a meeting, broke the resistance of Bibulus and Cato, and his agrarian law was passed by a majority vote.

Recognition of the Triumvirate

In the course of the struggle that took place around the adoption of the agrarian law, the secret union was uncovered. Crassus and Pompey advocated the adoption of the law and attracted their own supporters, Pompey even threatened to use weapons. The law was enacted, Pompey strengthened his position, and Caesar attracted over twenty thousand families to his side, who under the new law were given their own land plots. In addition, Caesar helped coordinate with the Senate and approve the orders given by Pompey in the East, which significantly strengthened the authority of his ally among like-minded people.

On the wave of success, Caesar was able to introduce two more draft laws concerning his closest supporters. According to the first Ptolemy, Avlet, the closest friend of Pompey, was proclaimed "a friend of the Roman people". For this honor, Avlet ousted 6,000 talents of gold, which honestly divided the triumvirate among themselves. Caesar fulfilled his obligations to his other ally, Crassus, who was in favor of accepting the demands of the tax-farmers. According to the second law, a third of the payoff was taken from the riders, which greatly increased Caesar's popularity among the riders, whom many considered to be the driving force of Rome.

Honesty is the best policy

This formula phrase perfectly emphasizes the forces that for a long time held together three such unlike people. Caesar fulfilled all the obligations that the triumvirate put before him. This helped him gain popularity and a lot of supporters. Taking care of others, Caesar proceeded to fulfill his plans, and did it very successfully. But this is a completely different story.