Vatinian Law.* A lucky chance enabled Caesar to secure his own future
by an extended military command. The Senate had taken pains to render him
harmless by assigning as the consular provinces for 58 the care of forests
and country roads in Italy, but in February, 59, the death of Metellus
Celer, proconsul of Cisalpine Gaul, left vacant a post of considerable
importance in view of the imminent danger of war breaking out in
Transalpine Gaul. Accordingly a law proposed by the tribune Vatinius
transferred to Caesar the command of Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum, with a
garrison of three legions, for a term of five years beginning 1 March, 59.
To this the Senate, at the suggestion of Pompey, added Transalpine Gaul
and another legion.

*The banishment of Cicero, 58 B. C.* Caesar's consulship had been an open
defiance of constitutional precedent, and had revealed the fact that the
triumvirate was stronger than the established organs of government, and
that the Roman Empire was really controlled by three men. Well might Cato
say that the coalition was the beginning of the end of the Republic.
Within the triumvirate itself Pompey was the dominant figure owing to his
military renown and the influence of his veterans. Caesar appeared as his
agent, yet displayed far greater political insight and succeeded in
creating for himself a position which would enable him to play a more
independent role in the future. The coalition did not break up at the end
of Caesar's consulship; its members determined to retain their control of
the state policy, and to this end secured for 58 B. C. the election of two
consuls in whom they had confidence. To cement the alliance Pompey married
Caesar's daughter Julia, and Caesar married the daughter of Piso, one of
the consuls-elect. To secure themselves from attack they felt it necessary
to remove from the city their two ablest opponents, Cato and Cicero. The
latter had refused all proposals to join their side, and had sharply
criticized them on several public occasions. His banishment was secured
through the agency of the tribune Clodius, whose transfer from patrician
to plebeian status Caesar had facilitated. Clodius was a man of ill repute
who hated Cicero because the latter had testified against him when he was
on trial for sacrilege. Early in 58 B. C. Clodius carried a bill which
outlawed any person who had put to death Roman citizens without regular
judicial proceedings. This law was aimed at Cicero for