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Caesar, Pompey and Crassus join forces

c. 60 BCE, Rome. An event.

Where and when

c. 60 BCERome

about 2,085 years ago

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, Rome

Caesar reconciles the two most powerful men in Rome, Pompey and Crassus, and the three work together to get what each wants. Historians later call it the First Triumvirate.

This policy was to reconcile Pompey and Crassus, the most influential men in the city.

Plutarch, Life of Caesar 13.2Translated by Bernadotte Perrin (1919)Read the full passage (Plutarch, Life of Caesar 13.2, opens scaife.perseus.org)

Background: First Triumvirate, Wikipedia (opens en.wikipedia.org)

Why it matters

The alliance's early success set off a strong political backlash. Trust deteriorated through 50 BC and anti-Caesarian hardliners influenced Pompey, until Caesar was pushed into open rebellion in January 49 BC.

Based on Wikipedia: First Triumvirate

The early success of the alliance, however, triggered substantial political backlash.

Deteriorating trust through 50 BC, along with the influence of Catonian anti-Caesarian hardliners on Pompey, eventually pushed Caesar into open rebellion in January 49 BC.

Wikipedia, First Triumvirate (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-09-30. Text CC BY-SA 4.0. Our line is checked against these sentences only.

Related moments

In time order, with this one in its place. Each says why it is here.

  1. 63 BCEabout 3 years earlier Cicero exposes Catiline's plot against the Republic Also about democracy and government
  2. 63 BCEabout 3 years earlier Cicero denounces Catiline to his face Also in Rome
  3. 63 BCEabout 3 years earlier Cicero turns on Catiline in the Senate Also in Rome
  4. c. 60 BCEThis momentCaesar, Pompey and Crassus join forces
  5. 59 BCE1 year later Cato dragged to prison, as Plutarch tells it Also in RomeAlso about democracy and government
  6. 58–50 BCEabout 2 years later Caesar begins the conquest of Gaul Same years
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  9. 55–54 BCEabout 5 years later Caesar crosses the sea to Britain Same years

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