The First Triumvirate of ancient Rome was an uneasy alliance between the three titans Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus which, from 60 BCE until 53 BCE, dominated the politics of the Roman Republic. Alliances have always been a part of history. Whether one looks to the unification of Sparta and Athens against the Persians in the 5th century BCE or the allied forces of the Triple Entente in World War I, nations and individuals - even former enemies - have sought assistance for one reason or another to overcome a common foe. Ancient Rome was no different. An unstable Republic and a near civil war brought three men to set aside their differences and even contempt for one another to join forces and dominate the government of Rome, even controlling elections, for nearly a decade. One of the three would eventually rise above the others and become dictator. His name was Gaius Julius Caesar. However, that was several years away. For now he was part of what modern historians have come to call the First Triumvirate.
More about: First TriumvirateDefinition
Timeline
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71 BCEMarcus Licinius Crassus crushes the Spartacus slave revolt in southern Italy.
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70 BCEPompey and Crassus are made consuls.
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67 BCEPompey assembles a naval fleet and attacks Pamphylia and Cilicia, principally to repress piracy.
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67 BCEThe Gabinian Law is passed, giving Pompey great power to deal with pirates.
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66 BCEThe Manilian Law is passed, giving Pompey great power to deal with Mithridates VI of Pontus.
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63 BCEThe Roman general Pompey defeats the Seleucid Antiochus XIII and incorporates Syria as a province of the Roman empire.
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62 BCEPompey returns to Italy, and disbands his army upon landing.
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60 BCE - 53 BCEFirst Triumvirate' between Caesar, Pompey and Crassus.
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58 BCE - 51 BCEJulius Caesar's conquest of Gaul.
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58 BCECaesar attacks the Helvetii while on migration and defeats them.
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58 BCE - 57 BCECicero is exiled from Rome.
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57 BCEA Roman army under Caesar narrowly defeats an army of Nervii, Atrebates, and Viromandui.
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56 BCEThe navies of Rome and the Veneti Gauls clash resulting in a Roman victory. This is the first recorded naval battle in the Atlantic Ocean.
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55 BCEPompey the Great builds the first permanent stone theatre in Rome.
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55 BCEMarcus Licinius Crassus is made consul for the second time and departs on campaign in Parthia.
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55 BCECaesar attempts to invade Britain.
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54 BCECaesar successfully invades Britain but withdraws to Gaul.
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54 BCE - 29 BCEForum of Caesar constructed in Rome by Julius Caesar as another area to conduct judicial business. It is the best surviving of his monuments.
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53 BCEBattle of Carrhae. Crassus is captured and executed by the Parthians.
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49 BCECaesar crosses the Rubicon. Civil war between Caesar and Pompey begins.
