The Success and Failure of the First Triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus

One of the most intriguing periods in Roman history is the First Triumvirate, an unofficial alliance between Gaius Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, and Marcus Licinius Crassus. This alliance was born out of a need to manage the political instability that plagued the Roman Republic. However, despite its initial successes, the Triumvirate ultimately failed due to the ambition and eventual estrangement of its members.

Controlling the Elections: A Key to Success

The success of the First Triumvirate can be gauged by how effectively it managed the elections for consul. In the Roman Republic, the consuls held significant power. If the Triumvirate could install two friendly consuls, they could control the legislative agenda and advance their policies. Conversely, if the opposition held the consulship, the Triumvirate would have to rely on other mechanisms, such as sympathetic tribunes, to counter hostile legislation.

Elections in 59 BC

One of the early triumphs of the Triumvirate was the election of Julius Caesar and M. Calpurnius Bibulus as consuls in 59 BC. This election marked a critical turning point. Caesar appointed Bibulus, who was notoriously hostile to Caesar's proposals, driving him out of public life through daily harassment and obstruction. Caesar's victory in this election ensured that he could pass a series of beneficial reforms, including laws that strengthened his position and advanced Roman society.

Consular Elections and the Triumvirs' Challenges

The following years saw a series of consular elections, each offering its own challenges to the Triumvirate. In 58 BC, Julius Caesar presided over the election of his father-in-law, Calpurnius Piso Caesonianus, and Pompey's client, Aulus Gabinius. These elections allowed the Triumvirate to protect their interests effectively. However, in 57 BC, Cornelius Lentulus Spinther proved fickle and hostile, while Caceilius Metellus was mostly neutral.

Despite the Triumvirate's initial success, they faced ongoing challenges. In 55 BC, Pompey and Crassus ran for the consulship themselves. This second time together, they expected better support, but even then, they only managed to block their enemies from the consulship temporarily. The election of 54 BC saw the triumviri facing a staunch enemy, Domitius Ahenobarbus, along with his brother, App. Claudius Pulcher.

The Decline and Fall of the Triumvirate

Violence and internal strife increasingly marginalized the Triumvirate. In 52–49 BC, new challenges arose as clerks were bribed to seat new consuls. This period saw a significant shift in the dynamics of the Triumvirate. By 50 BC, Pompey, once an ally, turned against Julius Caesar. The final push came in 49 BC, when the Triumviri, led by Pompey, stripped Caesar of his army and province, recalled him for trial, and appointed Domitius Ahenobarbus as governor of Gaul.

Despite these attempts to block Caesar, Pompey, and their adversaries from reaching the consulship, the Triumvirate's effectiveness was waning. By 50 BC, conflict was inevitable, and by 49 BC, Pompey no longer considered his interests threatened by the consuls.

Conclusion

The First Triumvirate was a remarkable but ultimately failed attempt to stabilize the Roman Republic. While it achieved success in controlling key elections and advancing certain policies, the ambitions of its members and the growing tensions within the alliance eventually led to its demise. The intense period of conflict and civil war that followed is a testament to the significant political and social changes occurring in the late Roman Republic.