what is the historical background of the play julius caesar?

what is 1st triumvirate?

William Shakespeare's play is based on true events from Roman history, the reign and subsequent assassination of Julius Caesar, the great Roman emperor. The main sources of the play is Thomas North's translation of Plutarch's work 'Lives'. The play takes place in ancient Rome in 44 B.C. when Rome was the geopolitical center of an empire that began from Britain and extended into Africa and Persia. Even as the empire strengthened politically, there were power struggles between ambitious senators and military leaders. Julius Caesar rose to achieve a dictatorial grip on Rome and this was feared by many who preferred a democratic political system for Rome. These conspirators hatched a conspiracy and assassinated Caesar but that failed to put an end to the power struggles. It led to the decline of Rome and a civil war ensued. 

A triumvirate is a political system which comprises three individuals in positions of power who administer the land. In the play, the first triumvirate consisted of Julius Caesar, Crassus and Pompeius. 

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