his efforts and tried to play Crassus, Pompeius and Caesar against each other. Caesar noticed this and did something believed impossible. He created an alliance between him and the other two to share all power. The senate was effectively bypassed and the First Triumvirate was born. This agreement dictated the Roman policy for the next decade. They shared all offices between them and their followers and that's the way Caesar became Governor of Gaul Transalpinia. He had three legions under his command, but when the Helvetii invaded Gaul and Italy he accidentally got command of an additional army. After he crushed the Helvetii he turned his attention on the Celts. When this part of the drama had been enacted the real struggle began.With Gallia conquered, Caesar turned his mind fully to the political arena. In 51Bc, he proposed to the Senate to extend his governership another 2 years, which allowed him to run for consul in the year 48Bc. He said that he earned it based on his presentations in Gaul and referred to Pompeius whose governership in Spain had been extended the year before. But the senate hesitated. In the year 50Bc Caesar still tried to extend his governership, but to ensure the loyalty of his army he doubled their pay. The two consuls of 50Bc were hostile to him, but he managed to bribe one of them. This caused a stalemate in the senate. Then, late in the fall the senate decided that Caesar and Pompeius were to give up control of their armies and provinces. Caesar's followers tried to veto it, but the hostile consul ordered Pompeius to defend the Republic with two Legions at Capua and the authority to raise more. Caesar thereupon gathered his own armies and went south. Both commanders were still on speaking terms and Caesar made another proposal. He would relinquish control of all but two of his legions and the province of Cisalpine Gaul. Pompeius agreed, but the senate ordered him to hold foot. Caesar then made an ultimatum. He...
