In the century before the birth of Christ, Rome’s system of republican government began to disintegrate as a series of strong military leaders struggled over political power and the ever-growing financial rewards that came with it. Vast sums of money were waiting to be made by Roman governors of the areas that had fallen under Rome’s control beginning in the third century B.C.E. With this huge financial incentive, the traditional Roman ideals of public service and senatorial rule gradually gave way to self-interest and rule by force.
By mid-century, the rising star of Roman politics was Julius Caesar, who made his fortune by becoming governor, in 61 B.C.E., of the province of Spain and, a few years later, of Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul (today’s northern Italy and southern France). Caesar had obtained his lucrative governorships by allying himself with the two richest generals of the day, Crassus and Pompey the Great. Together, these three military strongmen made up the so-called “first triumvirate” (triumvir being Latin for one of three men who share political office). According to their agreement, Pompey would govern Spain, Caesar would rule Gaul (he immediately began conquering new territory here), and Crassus would oversee the eastern province of Asia (roughly today’s Turkey).
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