Topic 4: Collapse of Concordia (59-50 BC)
How the First Triumvirate's fragile alliance unravelled and plunged Rome into civil war
H408/33 - Politics of the Late Republic
Learning Objectives
By the end of this topic, you will be able to:
- Analyse the formation, operation and eventual breakdown of the First Triumvirate
- Evaluate Caesar's consulship of 59 BC and its constitutional significance
- Assess the impact of Caesar's Gallic campaigns on Roman politics and his personal power
- Explain the deteriorating relationship between Caesar and Pompey after Julia's death
- Understand how the Senate's opposition to Caesar led to the crossing of the Rubicon
- Evaluate the roles of Cato, Cicero and other senators in the final crisis of the Republic
Choose Your Topic
The First Triumvirate
Examine how Caesar, Pompey and Crassus formed their informal alliance and dominated Roman politics through mutual self-interest.
Covers: Formation in 60 BC, Caesar's consulship, land bills, Pompey's eastern settlement, Crassus's interests, Conference of Luca
Caesar in Gaul
Analyse how Caesar's decade-long conquest of Gaul transformed him into the most powerful man in Rome and threatened the Republic.
Covers: Gallic Wars 58-50 BC, military victories, wealth and patronage, veteran loyalty, commentarii as propaganda, legal immunity
The Unravelling Alliance
Explore how the deaths of Julia and Crassus destabilised the Triumvirate and pushed Pompey toward the Senate.
Covers: Julia's death 54 BC, Crassus at Carrhae 53 BC, Pompey's sole consulship, gang violence, Clodius and Milo, political chaos
The Road to Civil War
Understand the final negotiations, the senatus consultum ultimum, and Caesar's fateful decision to cross the Rubicon.
Covers: Recall debates, tribunes' veto, Cato's intransigence, Cicero's attempts at compromise, alea iacta est, January 49 BC
Retrieval Practice
Test your knowledge with interactive quizzes covering all aspects of Topic 4. Multiple question types with instant feedback.
Features: Subtopic selection, drag-and-drop, gap-fill, flexible marking, progress tracking
Key Dates: The Collapse of Concordia
60 BC
Formation of the First Triumvirate - Caesar, Pompey, Crassus
59 BC
Caesar's controversial consulship and land legislation
58-50 BC
Caesar's Gallic campaigns - conquest and enrichment
56 BC
Conference of Luca renews the Triumvirate
54 BC
Death of Julia severs bond between Caesar and Pompey
53 BC
Crassus killed at Carrhae - Triumvirate reduced to two
52 BC
Pompey appointed sole consul after Clodius riots
49 BC
Caesar crosses the Rubicon - civil war begins
