Crassus, as has already been stated, was powerful through his wealth.

Caesar, who had some influence with them both, now conceived the bold design of reconciling them, and then of availing himself of their united aid in accomplishing his own particular ends.
[Sidenote: The first triumvirate.] He succeeded perfectly well in this management.

He represented to them that, by contending against each other, they only exhausted their own powers, and strengthened the arms of their common enemies.

He proposed to them to unite with one another and with him, and thus make common cause to promote their common interest and advancement.

They willingly acceded to this plan, and a triple league was accordingly formed, in which they each bound themselves to promote, by every means in his power, the political elevation of the others, and not to take any public step or adopt any measures without the concurrence of the three.