Harsh times


The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

With Nero and Crassus being consuls in 59 BC the Optimates were in a serious crisis. Not only had they lost political control to a private agreement of three men, they also made Nero abandon their cause. The man behind the fiasco, Iunus Brutus, died already in early 59 BC of natural causes.
Nero then brought his veteran laws through, Crassus backed him and for the moment the triumvirate got what it wanted. As agreed Nero strongly supported Caesar for the following election with the Populares backing them. The Optimates, now under the leadership of Sergius Orata could not prevent Caesar from being elected, nor could they get any competent men of their own to become his college. With their narrow minded politics over the last decades the Optimates were now completely helpless.
Caesar became consul in 58 BC and made sure that Neros laws were untouched and their common interest protected. Besides the Optimates trying to hinder their political actions the triumvirate was in complete control. Caesar tried to become proconsul in either the province of Macedonia or Asia. He did achieve the latter, with his term starting in 57 BC.