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==First Triumvirate==
By 59 BCE, Caesar was one of the most important political figures in Rome, mainly because of his connections to the old supporters of Marius and, he appears to have been genuinely popular among many ordinary Romans <ref> Plutarch, vix</ref>. The political situation in Rome was chaotic and political violence was common, often orchestrated by gangs connected to leading public figures. In this situation, nothing could get done and there was political gridlock. The Senate wanted to control all aspects of political life as they had since the early days of the Republic. However, many aristocrats were frustrated by the conservatism of the Senators and believed that it was incapable of any meaningful decisions. Some of the leading figures in Rome at the time decided to come together and to enter an informal alliance in order to provide some stability and to secure their own political aims<ref>Holland, Tom. Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic (London, Anchor Press, 2003), p. 134</ref>. Pompey, sometimes known as Pompey the Great was hailed by his contemporaries as a great general. While still a young man he had secured a series of victories which stabilized the Roman Republic and greatly expanded it. In a series of campaigns, he conquered a vast area around the Black Sea and the modern Middle East. He was revered in the city but not even he could persuade the Senate to grant his veterans lands. Crassus was very wealthy, and he wanted to translate this into political power. These two men entered into an alliance and they invited Caesar to join their informal arrangement. The richest man in Rome and its most famous soldier needed the young aristocrat, because of his links to the populares. They needed him to help them to obtain the votes that they needed to make sure that they could achieve their political goals and also guarantee at least some level of stability in the city. The Triumvirate was not an arrangement that was based on shared views or aims but was designed to help the trio to further their ambitions. This arrangement benefitted Caesar immensely it allowed him to pay off some of his debts and to extend his influence in the city. Most importantly it allowed him to become Consul in 59AD and to initiate a series of reforms aimed at benefiting the ordinary Roman, which made him wildly popular in certain segments of society <ref>Holland, p 156</ref>. This allowed him to establish a network of supporters such as Clodius who were to protect and advance his interests. Moreover, his consulship allowed him the command of four legions and a province, in what is now southern France. This was to allow him to embark on his military career which was to be the key to his success.
==Gallic Wars==
Some allies of the Romans in Gaul (modern France and Belgium) were defeated by Germanic tribes. This was used by Caesar as a pretext to intervene into Gaul and to begin its conquest. Caesar was to prove to be a general of genius<ref>Grant, p. 98</ref>. He defeated the Germanic tribes with great brutality. The Gaul in the North and West were alarmed by the appearance of Romans and they began to form defensive alliances. These were interpreted by Caesar as a threat to the Romans even though this may not have been the case. He ordered his legions to march to the far north of Gaul and he conquered much of the area and later he also extended Roman influence into to the south-west. Caesar had begun the conquest of Gaul without the sanction of the Senate and many regarded his campaign as an illegal war. At a conference in Lucca in 55 BCE at this Caesar was able to extend his consulship, and his command in Gaul for another five years. However, many fierce tribes such as the Belgae continued to resist Romans and Caesar was involved in much fierce fighting. He did find the time to launch a raid on Britain. The Roman general was a great propagandist and he wrote reports on his campaigns that informed the public of his achievements. These are considered to be classics of Latin Literature. While Caesar was popular with many he was hated by many Senators in Rome. He continued his campaigns and at the Battle of Alessia he won a decisive victory, which ended the conflict. After his victory, Caesar had the command of a large army of seasoned troops who were loyal to him and many partisans in his native city. 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 to protect his interests when this was refused Caesar crossed the Rubicon and occupied Rome, which he saw as an act of self-defence against those who would harm him and his supporters<ref> Plutarch, ix</ref>.
