What are the main differences between the first and second triumvirate? How do you explain such a development?
The answer above gives the basics, but there was a lot more to it. Here’s the brief version. Pompey and Caesar were both very influential in Rome, with their power base resting in the fact that they both had charge of huge numbers of legions. Pompey was essentially a supporter of the Republic, and the Senate felt confident that they could keep him “under control”. Caesar wanted to continue in power by standing for election to one of the official positions in Rome. The Senate opposed this, in particular Cato, as they felt that Caesar wanted to become king. Because he was continually being thwarted by the Senate, Caesar turned to Pompey and came to an agreement – basically “You get me what I want and I’ll get you what you want”. Crassus was drawn into this thanks to Caesar’s influence – Caesar could not afford to alienate him, as Crassus had been loaning him money for years – as he and Pompey were bitter enemies. When it became known that the three men had come to an informal agreement –
