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..