Pompey's Midlife
In 66
BC Pompey took command over the war with the Mithridates, replacing Lucius
Licinius Lucullus. Pompey waged a successful campaign involving the
death of Mithridates, and the joining of Syria as a province. While Pompey
was away from Rome, however, some new people were coming into the light
of political power. Crassus still worked on the senate, and supported a
new face, Gaius Julius Caesar. Caesar was rapidly gaining power in the
60s. By 61 BC he was governor of Spain. Pompey returned to Rome in 59 BC.
Friction had increased between Pompey and Crassus. Both of their armies
had grown larger, as had both parties’ loyal subjects. Marcus Tullius Cicero,
leader of the senate, allied with Pompey. Cicero persuaded Pompey by appointing
Pompey “protector of the republic,” which appealed to Pompey. By 57 BC
Crassus and Pompey were in Italy, prepared for war. Before any battle was
fought, Julius Caesar intervened. Taking a neutral position as a negotiator,
Caesar convinced Pompey, Cicero, and Crassus to meet. It was Julius Caesar
who convinced Crassus and Pompey to join their powers and his own, forming
an alliance. This alliance, which had never before been made among Roman
leaders, was called the Triumvirate. To strengthen his bond with Pompey,
and as a reinforcement of the Triumvirate, Caesar gave his daughter, Julia,
to Pompey so that he could marry her.
