‘Given the individual aspirations of Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar, it is not surprising that the first triumvirate broke down.’ Discuss
The aspirations of Pompey, Crassus and Caesar were the cause of the breakdown of the first triumvirate due to Pompey’s want for power and money, Crassus’ lust for money and desire to make up for his lack of senatorial power, and Caesar’s need for money and power. The three men were feared by the senate, for their power and excessive wealth, so by joining together they could combine their forces to fulfil their wants. Each man needed something from the others, whether that be votes, support or popularity and without this need the first triumvirate would never have begun.
Pompey the Great’s aspirations contributed …show more content…
He was considered one of the richest men in ancient Rome, according to Plutarch “he owned countless silver mines, large areas of valuable land and labourers to work for him, yet all this, one may say, was nothing compared to the value of his slaves” (cited in Seager, 1958, p. 115) When Crassus died in a battle against the Parthians “his head was delivered to the Parthian king on a platter. The king poured molten gold down Crassus’ throat and said “Here, you have been greedy for this all your life. Eat it now.” (Green, 1996, pp. 41-42). After his death the triumvirate completely fell apart. As Pompey and Caesar could not get along and Crassus was the only person keeping the association civilised. However, Crassus and Pompey disliked each other due to the events occurring after the slave revolt. “Most of the praise should have gone to the military leadership of Crassus. Pompey, who had recently returned from Spain, attempted to steal most of the credit for the defeat even though his only accomplishment was to round up the stragglers.” (Wasson, 2016). This caused tension between the two, and could have also contributed to the downfall of the first triumvirate. Due to Crassus being the member of the triumvirate with the least senatorial power, the association between the three allowed him to gain power, but this resulted in his death. “Crassus could not match the growing reputations of the other two men; seeking more military glory of his own, he put all his energies into a military campaign against the Parthian Empire” which he was defeated in (Nardo, 2002, p. 22). Crassus’ lust for money, success and senatorial power assisted in the downfall of the first triumvirate due to greed and
The aspirations of Pompey, Crassus and Caesar were the cause of the breakdown of the first triumvirate due to Pompey’s want for power and money, Crassus’ lust for money and desire to make up for his lack of senatorial power, and Caesar’s need for money and power. The three men were feared by the senate, for their power and excessive wealth, so by joining together they could combine their forces to fulfil their wants. Each man needed something from the others, whether that be votes, support or popularity and without this need the first triumvirate would never have begun.
Pompey the Great’s aspirations contributed …show more content…
He was considered one of the richest men in ancient Rome, according to Plutarch “he owned countless silver mines, large areas of valuable land and labourers to work for him, yet all this, one may say, was nothing compared to the value of his slaves” (cited in Seager, 1958, p. 115) When Crassus died in a battle against the Parthians “his head was delivered to the Parthian king on a platter. The king poured molten gold down Crassus’ throat and said “Here, you have been greedy for this all your life. Eat it now.” (Green, 1996, pp. 41-42). After his death the triumvirate completely fell apart. As Pompey and Caesar could not get along and Crassus was the only person keeping the association civilised. However, Crassus and Pompey disliked each other due to the events occurring after the slave revolt. “Most of the praise should have gone to the military leadership of Crassus. Pompey, who had recently returned from Spain, attempted to steal most of the credit for the defeat even though his only accomplishment was to round up the stragglers.” (Wasson, 2016). This caused tension between the two, and could have also contributed to the downfall of the first triumvirate. Due to Crassus being the member of the triumvirate with the least senatorial power, the association between the three allowed him to gain power, but this resulted in his death. “Crassus could not match the growing reputations of the other two men; seeking more military glory of his own, he put all his energies into a military campaign against the Parthian Empire” which he was defeated in (Nardo, 2002, p. 22). Crassus’ lust for money, success and senatorial power assisted in the downfall of the first triumvirate due to greed and