They had
themselves elected consuls and Pompey received the conduct of two
wars. He went to Asia with a devoted army and was for several years
the master of Rome; but as he was more the possessor of offices than
of power, he changed nothing in the government. It was during this
time that Caesar, a young noble, made himself popular. Pompey,
Crassus, and Caesar united to divide the power between themselves.
Crassus received the command of the army sent to Asia against the
Parthians and was killed (53). Pompey remained at Rome. Caesar went to
Gaul where he stayed eight years subjecting the country and making an
army for himself.
Pompey and Caesar were now the only persons on the stage. Each wished
to be master. Pompey had the advantage of being at Rome and of
dominating the Senate; Caesar had on his side his army, disciplined by
eight years of expeditions. Pompey secured a decree of the Senate that
Caesar should abandon his army and return to Rome. Caesar decided then
to cross the boundary of his province (the river Rubicon), and to
march on Rome. Pompey had no army in Italy to defend himself, and so
with the majority of the senators took flight to the other side of the
Adriatic.
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