Rome at this time held another prominent leader in
politics, namely, Gaius Julius Caesar. He belonged to a noble family, but his
father had favored the democratic cause and his aunt had married Marius. After
Sulla's death Caesar threw himself with energy into the game of politics at the
capital city. In these early years the future statesman seems to have been a
demagogue of the usual type, who sought through the favor of the people a rapid
rise to power. He won the ear of the multitude by his fiery harangues, his
bribes of money, and his gifts of food and public shows. Caesar's expenditures
for such purposes were enormous. Before he was twenty-four he had spent all his
private fortune. Henceforth he was "financed" by the millionaire
Crassus, who lent him the money so necessary for a successful career as a
politician.
THE FIRST TRIUMVIRATE, 60 B.C.
Caesar and Crassus, the two leaders of the democratic
party at Rome, now joined with Pompey in what is called the First Triumvirate.
To this "ring" Pompey contributed his military reputation, Crassus,
his wealth, and Caesar, his influence over the Roman mob. Supported both by the
people and by the army, these three men were really masters of Rome. An
immediate result of the First Triumvirate was the appointment of Caesar as
governor of Cisalpine and Transalpine Gaul.
