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Much of the wealth he made in Gaul was used to finance his supporters. Caesar had by now even eclipsed Pompey. However, the Senate wanted to strip him of his army and to prosecute him. This led him to demand that he be allowed to retain control of his legions. He sought to protect his interests from the Senate. When his request was refused by the Senate, Caesar crossed the Rubicon and occupied Rome. While it was an aggressive step to take, Caesar justified it as an act of self-defense against those who sought to harm him and his supporters.<ref> Plutarch, ix</ref>

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