Summary of "Caesar, Pompey, Crassus: The First Triumvirate (Encore)" – Everything Everywhere Daily

Episode Release Date: January 16, 2025
Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media

Introduction

In this encore episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, host Gary Arndt delves into the intricate dynamics of the First Triumvirate, an unlikely political alliance in 60 BC that united three of Rome's most influential men: Gaius Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey), and Marcus Licinius Crassus. This partnership played a pivotal role in the waning years of the Roman Republic, ultimately setting the stage for its transformation into an empire.

Historical Context and the Roman Republic’s Turmoil

At the dawn of the first century BC, the Roman Republic was embroiled in internal conflicts and power struggles. From 83 to 81 BC, the civil war between the generals Marius and Sulla had left the aristocracy devastated. The subsequent years saw further instability, including the brutal suppression of the Spartacus-led slave revolt from 71 to 63 BC and the thwarting of the Catiline conspiracy, which threatened to overthrow the Republic's governance.

Gary Arndt explains, “At this point in Roman history, aristocratic Roman men of senatorial rank would constantly vie for power and prestige” (10:45).

To navigate this chaos and ascend the political ladder, Roman senators adhered to the cursus honorum, a sequential order of public offices. Success in this system required a combination of auctoritas (influence and prestige), substantial wealth to fund campaigns and public games, and a robust network of patronage.

Profiles of the Triumvirate Members

1. Marcus Licinius Crassus

   • Wealth and Business Acumen: Crassus was reputed to be the wealthiest man in the Roman Republic, amassing his fortune through real estate speculation and various business ventures. Notably, he established what is considered Rome's first fire brigade—not to save buildings, but to capitalize on fires by purchasing burning properties at low prices (12:30).

   • Political and Military Ventures: Despite his immense wealth, Crassus lacked significant military achievements until his appointment to suppress the Spartacus revolt. His strategy in suppressing the revolt helped him gain auctoritas, though it did not endear him to the public as effectively as other military leaders.

2. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey)

   • Military Prowess: Unlike Crassus, Pompey earned his standing through distinguished military service. Serving under Sulla during the civil war, Pompey secured victories in Sicily, North Africa, and against King Mithridates of Pontus. His successful campaigns earned him the title Magnus (“the Great”) from Sulla.

   • Political Maneuvering: Despite his successes, Pompey struggled with the Senate's optimates—the conservative aristocratic faction. His public popularity sometimes clashed with Senate opposition, exemplified when his proposal to distribute land to veterans was blocked, with Crassus leading the opposition (20:10).

3. Gaius Julius Caesar

   • Early Career and Alliances: At the time of the Triumvirate's formation, Caesar was not yet the famed leader known from history. Coming from the Marian faction due to his familial ties, Caesar sought to rebuild his reputation and political influence.

   • Strategic Maneuvers: Caesar's election as Pontifex Maximus in 63 BC, achieved through significant personal debt and political maneuvering, enhanced his religious and political influence. His subsequent military governorship in Hispania Ulterior provided him with the necessary leverage to form alliances and ascend the political hierarchy (30:55).

Formation of the First Triumvirate

In 60 BC, recognizing the limitations imposed by the Senate's optimates and seeking mutual benefits, Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus forged an alliance. This coalition was driven by each man's ambition:

• Caesar aimed to secure the consulship and further his political reforms.
• Pompey sought land reforms for his veterans and recognition of his military achievements.
• Crassus desired military glory and legislative success.

A critical element of their alliance was the marriage between Pompey and Caesar’s daughter, Julia, which not only solidified political bonds but also fostered genuine affection between the two leaders. Gary Arndt notes, “The odd thing about the marriage of Pompey and Julia is that the two of them, by all accounts, actually seemed to love each other, which was very rare in a Roman marriage” (35:20).

This bond ensured a unified front against Senate opposition, particularly the optimates, allowing the triumvirate to wield substantial influence over Roman politics and legislation.

Achievements and Influence

The First Triumvirate effectively manipulated Senate proceedings to pass favorable legislation. Caesar, leveraging his position as consul, facilitated Pompey's land grants and Crassus’s legislative initiatives. This control over legislative processes enabled them to dominate Roman politics, marginalizing opposition and setting precedents for future power alliances.

Gary Arndt states, “Between the three of them, they could pretty much control the majority of the votes in the Senate and get at least one of their choices for consul elected every year going forward” (45:10).

Additionally, Caesar's governorship in Gaul during the triumvirate’s peak period allowed him to build a formidable military reputation, which would later prove instrumental in his rise to power.

The Downfall of the Triumvirate

Two pivotal events led to the dissolution of the First Triumvirate:

1. Death of Julia (September 54 BC): Julia’s death severed the marital and familial ties between Caesar and Pompey. Without this personal bond, the political alliance began to fray, leading to increased tensions and eventual conflict. Arndt mused, “World history would have been profoundly different if Julia and her daughter had lived” (55:00).

2. Death of Crassus (Battle of Carrhae, May 53 BC): Crassus’s ambition to achieve military glory led him to confront the Parthian Empire. Instead of securing a victory, Crassus was defeated and killed, reportedly at the hands of Parthians who poured molten gold down his throat as a taunt to his avarice.

With both Julia and Crassus removed from the equation, the balance within the triumvirate collapsed, setting Caesar and Pompey on a collision course that culminated in civil war. Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC and Pompey’s defeat and death in Egypt in 30 BC marked the definitive end of their power struggle and the First Triumvirate.

Gary Arndt concludes, “The Triumvirate was not a union of three men with common political views for the future of Rome. This was a coming together so each man could achieve their personal ambitions” (1:15:30).

Legacy and Conclusion

The First Triumvirate is often viewed by historians, including Livy, as a conspiracy against the Roman state by its leading citizens, paving the way for the end of the Republic. This alliance demonstrated the fragility of Roman political structures and the potent force of personal ambition in shaping history. The eventual rise of the Second Triumvirate a decade later underscores the enduring impact of these early power blocs in Rome’s transition from Republic to Empire.

Gary Arndt hints at the continuation of such power plays with the formation of the Second Triumvirate, involving Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Lepidus, setting the stage for further episodes exploring Rome’s tumultuous political landscape.

Production Credits

• Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
• Associate Producers: Benji Long and Cameron Keever

Engagement and Support

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This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of the First Triumvirate, highlighting the intricate balance of power, personal ambition, and political strategy that defined this critical period in Roman history. Gary Arndt masterfully unpacks the complexities of each leader, their motivations, and the ultimate consequences of their alliance, offering listeners deep insights into the forces that shaped the ancient world.