Caesar returned from Spain in 60, with wealth and military fame.
Though feared and detested by the Senate, he was the favorite of the
people, and could depend upon their support. Pompey had the army
behind him. He received Caesar with pleasure, for he had been a friend
in all his career.

Caesar felt that, with the people and the army through Pompey on his
side, he only needed the capitalists to make his success sure. CRASSUS
was counted as the richest man at Rome. He was won over. These three
then formed what is known as the FIRST TRIUMVIRATE,--"a union of
shrewdness, renown, and riches," by which Caesar expected to rise to
great power, Pompey to retain his power, and Crassus to gain greater
wealth.




CHAPTER XXIX.

THE FIRST TRIUMVIRATE.


Pompey was ostensibly at the head of the first Triumvirate, and in
return supported Caesar in his candidacy for the consulship. Crassus
was to contribute his wealth to influence the election. Caesar was
elected without opposition (59); his colleague, the Senate's tool, was
Marcus Bibulus.

Caesar had now reached the highest round in the ladder of political