National Geographic History - 01.2019 - 02.2019

Crassus joined another general, Gnaeus Pom-
peius Magnus, also known as Pompey, to take
control of the government in 60 B.C. Announced
when Caesar began his first consulship, the First
Triumvirate would rule the republic for six years
until the death of Crassus in 53.
At first Cicero refused to support the trium-
virate and fled from Rome. In 57, with Pompey’s
backing, he returned to the city and tried to per-
suade Pompey to break his alliance with Caesar.
Pompey refused. Cicero begrudgingly gave the
triumvirate his approval despite recognizing that
the triumvirate was unstable; each of the three
men wanted to increase his own power while
keeping his two other “allies” in check. No one
in the First Triumvirate would be the champion
for the republic for whom Cicero hoped.
Disgusted by this turn of events, Cicero left
politics for a few years. During this time, he
penned some of his most influential works be-
fore returning to office in 51 B.C. He accepted the
governorship of Cilicia, a province located in
present-day Turkey, and then returned to Rome
in late 50. Crassus’ death in 53 had increased

hostility between Julius Caesar and Pompey, who

were headed toward an unavoidable confronta-

tion that would explode into civil war in 49 B.C.

The Republic Falls

Striving for control of Rome, neither Caesar nor

Pompey wanted Cicero for an enemy, and both

men appealed to him for his allegiance. Cicero

chose to side with Po

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Depicted in a

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Cicero denounces

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