First triumvirate mini test Flashcards
who were the members
pompey
caesar
crassus
when was it formed
60BC
when did it end
53 BC
what bonded all of the members of the first triumvirate together?
Power: the alliance mutually benefited all of them
they all needed eachother
What Crassus offers to the first triumvirate
Money
Can be used for bribery, corruption, campaigning, raising armies
What Ceasar offers to the first Triumvirate
1) Status
2) Julian name - patrician
3) Hugely popular with the people
4) Political power
What Pompey offers to the first triumvirate
Military
Great commander
Loyal, experienced troops
popular
which members of the triumvirate had a natural alliance
caesar and crassus
why did Pompey join the first triumvirate
- wanted land allocations for his veterans and ratification of his treaties with the east
why did caesar join the first triumvirate
- wanted reform for better conditions for plebs
why did crassus join the first triumvirate
- wanted a rebate for the tax farmers in asia
which members of the alliance long hated each other
crassus and pompey
Pompeys relationship to Cicero
- Cicero began as pompey’s client (amicitia)
- Cicero tried to defend Pompey whenever possible
- However relationship came under strain
Crassus relationship to Ciero
Cicero had a political fight with Caesar and Crassus as he disagreed with their political principles
Cicero’s relationship with Caesar
- Cicero joined Pompey rather than Ceasar in civil war
Not very good, Caesar went against mos maiorum
What was Pompey and Cesars relationship like?
Good, but Pompey was getting gel of Caesar’s success in Gual
Ciero’s actions towards first triumvirate - how he attempted to get back into politics after exile
- gained Pompey cura Annonae
- However he delivered the pro sestio speech against Caesar’s legislation as consul. He thought it wouldn’t matter as the triumvirs were in such bad relations, there was a real shock when they patched things up
Conferences at Ravenna and Luca
- over 200 senators there, Cicero not invited as they thought he would object to it
- Caesar’s imperium is extended, 5 more years in Gaul
- Crassus- Consul 55BC - SYria
- Pompey- Consul 55BC - Spain (in absetentia)
what does Cicero do about the triumvirate?
- Realises he can’t do anything to stop them, so says he’ll ‘sing my palinode’ aka join them and apolgoise
How does Cicero regain the triumvirs trust?
- Gives numerous speeches to defend what they want:
+ Delivers a ‘Pro Balbo’ speech to defend Bablus- Man liked by them
+ Defends Vatinius
+ Defends Gabinius, Pompey’s friend. (Unable to defend him and he is exiled)
What is bad about the way Cicero goes about regaining their trust?
Hugely against his values
They are guilty yet defends them anyway
He already is in bed relations with Gabinius,
Why does Cicero do the speeches?
He really doesn’t want to, yet has to ‘swallow the bitter pill’ to get in their good books
Pompey
+ Populares
+ From a rich provincial family
+ Rose to power through military successes, consul 3 times
Caesar
+ Populares
+ From Julian clan, Family closely connected with Marian faction, Patrician
+ Quaestor in 69, Aedile in 65, Prateor in 67