It was at this time that Caesar returned from Spain, and had the adroitness, as has already been explained, to extinguish these feuds, and reconcile these apparently implacable foes.

He united them together, and joined them with himself in a triple league, which is celebrated in Roman history as the first _triumvirate_.

The rivalry, however, of these great aspirants for power was only suppressed and concealed, without being at all weakened or changed.

The death of Crassus soon removed him from the stage.

Caesar and Pompey continued afterward, for some time, an ostensible alliance.
Caesar attempted to strengthen this bond by giving Pompey his daughter Julia for his wife.